October 8, 2024

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) released key indicators from the April 2024 Labour Force Survey (LFS), which incorporates revisions based on international recommendations from the International Labour Organization (ILO). These updates enhance data accuracy, relevance, and international comparability.

STATIN highlighted, “The new labour force series represents a significant break in the series and is not comparable with previous survey data. This lack of comparability results from revisions implemented.”

Key changes include:

• Updated Definitions and Classifications: “Work” is now narrowly defined as activities done for pay or profit, excluding own-use production work, volunteer work, and unpaid trainee work.
• Labour Underutilisation: Now measured using multiple indicators: the unemployment rate (LU1), underemployment (LU2), the potential labour force (LU3), and a composite measure combining all three (LU4).
• Reference Week Adjustment: The reference week for data collection has shifted to the first full week of the current quarter, rather than the last full week of the previous quarter.
• Minimum Age Limit Update: Raised to individuals aged 15 and older instead of 14 and older.
• Strict Definition of Unemployment: Requires absence of employment, active job-seeking, and availability for work.

Findings from April 2024 LFS:

• Labour Force Participation: 1,483,100 people with a 68.8% participation rate; The labour force comprised 788,500 males (53.2%) and 694,600 females (46.8%).
• Employment: 1,420,300 employed persons consisting of 762,200 employed males (53.7%) and 658,100 females (46.3%). “Services and Sales Workers” is the largest occupation group, with 324,800 individuals.
• Unemployment: 62,800 unemployed persons with an unemployment rate (LU1) of 4.2%, higher for females (5.3%) than males (3.3%). Youth unemployment is 14.8%. Unemployment was lowest in Greater Kingston Metropolitan Area (3.1%), higher in Other Urban Centres (4.8%) and Rural Areas (4.9%).
• Other Labour Underutilisation Rates: Combined rates for underemployment and unemployment (LU2) at 5.9%, unemployment and potential labour force (LU3) at 5.7%, and aggregate labour underutilisation (LU4) at 7.4%.

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