Jamaica: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Jamaica?

The unemployment rate was 3.4% in July 2026, according to the labour force survey of the Statistical Institute of Jamaica. Labour force participation was 68.1% and the employment-to-population ratio 65.8%. STATIN's July release says the labour force totalled 1,468,500 people, 21,800 fewer than in July 2025.

STATIN publishes several measures of labour underused. Adding people working fewer hours than they want gives 4.6%, and the broadest measure, which also counts people who want work but are not looking, is 6.7%. The survey is run every quarter, and STATIN posts each round's summary on its press release page.

Official sources: STATIN: key indicators · STATIN: press releases

What is the minimum wage in Jamaica?

The national minimum wage is J$17,000 for a 40-hour week, effective 1 July 2026, according to the Jamaica Information Service. The House of Representatives approved the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Order, 2026 on 23 June, raising the rate from J$16,000.

The hourly rate rose from J$400 to J$425, with overtime at J$637.50 and double time at J$850 an hour. A separate order raised the minimum for industrial security guards to J$17,000 a week as well. The Minister of Labour and Social Security sets the rates by order under the Minimum Wage Act of 1938. The minister said the national minimum wage was J$6,200 in 2016. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security administers the Act.

Official sources: JIS: Minimum Wage Moves to $17,000, Up from $16,000 · Ministry of Labour and Social Security

What is youth unemployment in Jamaica?

Youth unemployment was 9.7% in July 2026, according to the Statistical Institute of Jamaica, almost three times the overall rate of 3.4%. STATIN also reports that 25.1% of young people were not in education, employment or training (NEET).

The NEET rate is a wider measure than unemployment because it also counts young people who are not looking for work, such as those caring for family. Both rates come from the quarterly labour force survey, and STATIN publishes breakdowns by age, sex and area in its labour force tables.

Official sources: STATIN: key indicators

How much does Jamaica spend on public sector pay?

Compensation of employees was projected at J$495.8 billion for fiscal year 2025/26 in the original budget, and J$522.0 billion after supplementary estimates, according to the Ministry of Finance's Fiscal Policy Paper 2026. The paper says the J$26.2 billion increase reflected wage settlements with public sector employees.

Compensation of employees covers wages, salaries and allowances paid to central government staff, including teachers, nurses and police. Total recurrent spending for 2025/26 was put at J$1,148.3 billion. Pay talks with unions such as the Jamaica Police Federation are run by the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Fiscal Policy Paper 2026 (as passed, PDF)

What is the minimum wage in Jamaica?

The ILO puts the statutory minimum wage in Jamaica at 64,950 JMD a month (about $415) in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012.

How high is unemployment in Jamaica?

The ILO puts the unemployment rate in Jamaica at 3.3% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.0% (2023) to 9.7% (2013). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 6.0%, and Jamaica placed 25th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 127th highest.

What is youth unemployment in Jamaica?

10.8%: that is unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Jamaica for 2025, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2013, at 27.2%; its low point was 2023, at 10.0%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 14.0%; Jamaica is 18th highest of 29. Worldwide: 97th of 174.

What is the labour force participation rate in Jamaica?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 69.6%. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 5th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 63.4%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 30th highest.

How many women in Jamaica are working or looking for work?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 63.0%. The peak was 63.0% in 2023 and the low 52.3% in 2010. Latin America & Caribbean median: 52.5%; Jamaica is 4th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 28th highest.

What share of adults in Jamaica have a job?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 67.3%. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 67.4%; its low point was 2012, at 55.5%. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 59.4%, and Jamaica placed 3rd highest of 29. Worldwide: 26th of 174.

How common is self-employment in Jamaica?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 31.6%. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 13th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 29.8%. World rank, highest first: 85th of 174.

What share of workers in Jamaica earn a wage or salary?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are paid employees in Jamaica at 64.3% in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 64.8%, and Jamaica placed 17th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 90th highest.