Economy, jobs and prices in Saint Thomas, Jamaica: official figures
The 2011 census counted 4,971 unemployed people aged 14 and over in Saint Thomas, 53 for every 1,000 residents (Jamaica: 60); that is 2nd lowest of 13.
How many young people in Saint Thomas are looking for their first job?
46.2% of the unemployed in Saint Thomas were first-time job seekers in the week before the 2011 census (2,298 people), against 37.2% nationally; 2nd highest of 13.
Source: Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) · saved copyHow many people in Saint Thomas lost their job and are seeking work?
2,179 unemployed people in Saint Thomas (43.8%) were other job seekers (not first-time seekers), and 494 (9.9%) were available for work but not seeking it (2011 census).
Source: Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) · saved copyAre more women than men unemployed in Saint Thomas?
Women were 41.2% of the unemployed in Saint Thomas in the 2011 census (2,047 women and 2,924 men), against 43.1% across Jamaica; 6th highest of 13.
Source: Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) · saved copyWhat is the average household consumption in Saint Thomas?
Estimated annual household consumption per equivalent adult in Saint Thomas was J$254,469 in 2012, 24% below the national J$334,324; the lowest of 13 (PIOJ/STATIN poverty mapping, 2011 census and 2012 survey).
Source: Planning Institute of Jamaica and Statistical Institute of Jamaica · saved copyHow much does a person in Saint Thomas consume per year?
The 2012 Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions itself measured annual consumption per equivalent adult at J$251,158 in Saint Thomas, against J$329,124 for Jamaica; the mapping model estimated J$254,469.
Source: Planning Institute of Jamaica and Statistical Institute of Jamaica · saved copyHow Saint Thomas compares with other parishs
Unemployed per 1,000 residents (2011)
Saint Thomas ranks 12 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployed per 1,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Manchester | 60 |
| 8 | Portland | 60 |
| 9 | Westmoreland | 58 |
| 10 | Clarendon | 58 |
| 11 | Trelawny | 55 |
| 12 | Saint Thomas | 53 |
| 13 | Saint Elizabeth | 50 |
First-time job seekers, share of unemployed (2011)
Saint Thomas ranks 2 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | First-time job seekers, share of unemployed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint Mary | 47.1% |
| 2 | Saint Thomas | 46.2% |
| 3 | Saint Elizabeth | 45.8% |
| 4 | Westmoreland | 45.3% |
| 5 | Portland | 44.0% |
| 6 | Clarendon | 43.1% |
| 7 | Trelawny | 40.2% |
Annual consumption per equivalent adult (J$) (2012)
Saint Thomas ranks 13 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Annual consumption per equivalent adult (J$) |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Trelawny | J$304,043 |
| 8 | Saint Mary | J$303,082 |
| 9 | Westmoreland | J$292,168 |
| 10 | Clarendon | J$272,518 |
| 11 | Manchester | J$271,509 |
| 12 | Saint Elizabeth | J$262,059 |
| 13 | Saint Thomas | J$254,469 |
More on Saint Thomas: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · Jamaica
Sources
- Planning Institute of Jamaica and Statistical Institute of Jamaica: Mapping Poverty Indicators: Consumption Based Poverty in Jamaica (2019), Table 2: predicted poverty and mean consumption by parish (pages 7-8 of the report, saved as a 2-page extract because the full file is 93 MB), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 2aa1dcb644c0…)
- Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN): Population Census 2011: Population 14 years and over unemployed in the week preceding the census, by activity status, parish and sex, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 306d65d3d4f2…)
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