The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (Statin) reports that January 2015 the All Jamaica ‘All Divisions’ Consumer Price Index was 223.0 indicating a fall of 0.5 per cent. This is the third consecutive monthly decline in the inflation rate for Jamaica. This downward movement in inflation was mainly attributable to a fall in the index for the three highest weighted divisions. The index ‘Food and Non- Alcoholic Beverages’ fell by 0.2 per cent, followed by the division ‘Housing Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ falling by 3.4 per cent and the ‘Transport’ division declining by 1.6 per cent.

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.

In October 2014, the number of persons in the Labour Force was 1,310,700, an increase of 6,200 (0.5%) above the 1,304,500 recorded in October 2013. The male labour force increased by 3,500 (0.5%) from 713,500 in October 2013 to 717,000 persons in October 2014 and the female labour force increased by 2,700(0.5%) moving from 591,000 in October 2013 to 593,700 persons in October 2014.