The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (Statin) reports that as at December 2014 the All Jamaica ‘All Divisions’ Consumer Price Index was 224.1 indicating a fall of 0.3 per cent over the November 2014 index of 224.9. This was largely attributable to the downward movement recorded in the index for the division ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’, ‘Housing Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ and ‘Transport’. The index for the division ‘Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ declined by 0.6 per cent, due mainly to lower prices for vegetables. Lower rates for water and sewage in addition to a reduction in the cost of electricity were key factors influencing the division ’Housing, Water, Electricity, gas and Other Fuels’, which moved down by 1.2 per cent. A decrease of 0.4 per cent was recorded for the division ‘’Transportation as a result of global reduction in oil prices.

The count of the population based on the Population and Housing Census 2011 is 2,697,983. This total comprises 2,678,629 persons in private dwellings, 18,420 in institutions and 934 persons enumerated on the streets.

The main findings of the July 2014 Labour Force Survey, conducted by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) are presented below. The reference week for this survey was June 22-28, 2014. The 2011 Population Census distribution was used to derive all the estimates for this survey.