Trinidad and Tobago: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Trinidad and Tobago?

Unemployment in Trinidad and Tobago rose to 5.4% in the first quarter of 2026, from 4.3% in the previous quarter and 4.9% a year earlier, according to CSO data reported in the Ministry of Finance's Review of the Economy 2026. Employment fell by 5,900 to 564,000 and the number unemployed rose by 6,200 to 31,900.

For calendar 2025 the average unemployment rate was 4.5%, down from 5.0% in 2024. The labour force participation rate was 55.1%. The figures come from the CSO's Continuous Sample Survey of Population.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Review of the Economy 2026 (PDF) · CSO: Continuous Sample Survey of Population

What is the minimum wage in Trinidad and Tobago?

No current national minimum wage figure could be read on the website of the Ministry of Labour, checked on 15 October 2026; its minimum wage page returned a server error. The 2027 Budget Statement presented on 12 October 2026 does not state a minimum wage rate.

The Ministry of Labour is responsible for the national minimum wage. Rates quoted on unofficial sites could not be confirmed against an official page, so no figure is given here.

Official sources: Ministry of Labour · Ministry of Finance: Budget Statement 2027 (PDF)

What is Trinidad and Tobago's minimum wage?

The ILO puts the statutory minimum wage in Trinidad and Tobago at 3,550 TTD a month (about $526) in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012.

How much do workers in Trinidad and Tobago earn on average?

The ILO puts average monthly earnings of employees in Trinidad and Tobago at $863 a month in 2016. It is 3rd highest of 20 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is $466 a month. Of 102 countries with 2016 data, 45th highest.

What is the unemployment rate in Trinidad and Tobago?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 3.3%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.4% (2015) to 8.0% (2005). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 6.0%, and Trinidad and Tobago placed 22nd highest of 29. Worldwide: 123rd of 174.

What is youth unemployment in Trinidad and Tobago?

In 2025, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Trinidad and Tobago was 8.2%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 16.5%; its low point was 2015, at 5.9%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 14.0%; Trinidad and Tobago is 23rd highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 125th highest.

What is the labour force participation rate in Trinidad and Tobago?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate in Trinidad and Tobago was 57.8%, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 57.6% (2021) to 66.5% (2006). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 63.4%, and Trinidad and Tobago placed 23rd highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 118th highest.

How many women in Trinidad and Tobago are working or looking for work?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate for women in Trinidad and Tobago was 47.8%, according to the ILO. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 52.5%, and Trinidad and Tobago placed 20th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 118th of 174.

What share of adults in Trinidad and Tobago have a job?

The ILO puts the employment to population ratio in Trinidad and Tobago at 55.8% in 2025. The peak was 62.8% in 2008 and the low 55.1% in 2021. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 59.4%, and Trinidad and Tobago placed 20th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 104th highest.

How common is self-employment in Trinidad and Tobago?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Trinidad and Tobago at 21.2% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 21.6%; its low point was 2012, at 15.9%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 29.8%; Trinidad and Tobago is 24th highest of 29. Worldwide: 114th of 174.

What share of jobs in Trinidad and Tobago are salaried?

74.3%: that is the share of workers who are paid employees in Trinidad and Tobago for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 79.8% in 2012 and the low 74.2% in 2022. Latin America & Caribbean median: 64.8%; Trinidad and Tobago is 8th highest of 29. Worldwide: 64th of 174.