NEWS RELEASE
The Labour Force
July 2009
November 12, 2009
In July 2009, the Jamaican labour force was
1,273,700 a decline of 26,700 persons or 2.1 per cent when compared to
1,300,400 in July 2008. The working age
population ie. population 14 years and over, increased by 12, 800 persons or 0.6
per cent during the same period. The labour force as a percentage of the
population 14 years and over thus declined by 1.7 percentage points moving from
65.4 per cent in July 2008 to 63.7 per cent in July 2009.
There were 1,129,600 employed persons in July
2009, comprising 644,000 males and 485,600 females. This was a decline in
employment of 38,600 persons or 3.3 per cent when compared to July 2008. When
the July 2009 data are compared to the previous quarter (April 2009) employment
increased by 6,400 or 0.6 per cent; employed males increased by 10,300 (1.6%)
while employed females declined by 3,900 (0.8%).
The industry group* with the largest number of
employees in July 2009 was ‘Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry & Fishing’ with
231,700 persons. Comparing July 2008 and July 2009 the largest decrease in
employment occurred in ‘Construction & Installation’ which declined by 14,800
persons or 13.5 per cent while employment in ‘Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry &
Fishing’ increased by 13,700 persons or 6.3 per cent. Among males, employment in
‘Construction & Installation’ fell by 13,600 or 12.9 per cent.
Youths (14-24 years) in the labour force declined
by 18,400 or 9.5 per cent when July 2008 and July 2009 are compared, moving from
193,000 to 174,600. Employed youths declined by 20,100 or 13.7 per cent, moving
from 146,700 to 126,600. When compared to the previous quarter (April 2009)
employment among youths showed little change moving from 126,900 to 126,600.
The number of unemployed persons in July 2009
(144,000) increased by 11,900 or 9.0 per cent when compared to 132,100 in July
2008. When compared to the previous quarter (April 2009) the number of
unemployed decreased by 1,100 or 0.8 per cent.
The unemployment rate was 11.3 per cent in July
2009 compared to 11.4 per cent April 2009; while in July 2008 the unemployment
rate was lower at 10.2 per cent.
Male unemployment was 8.4 per cent and female unemployment was 14.9 per cent in
July 2009 compared to 6.7 and 14.4 per cent in July 2008. Unemployment among
youths (14-24 years) was 27.4 per cent in July 2009, 23.9 per cent in July
2008 and 25.9 per cent in April 2009.
When July 2008 is compared to July 2009, the
number of persons outside the labour force increased by 39,500 or 5.7 per cent
moving from 687,400 to 726,900. Males outside the labour force increased by 6.6
per cent (16,800) and females by 5.2 per cent (22,700). The percentage of the
working age population who were outside the labour force moved from 34.6 in July
2008 to 36.3 in July 2009. When compared to the previous quarter (April 2009)
persons outside the labour force decreased by 3,500 or 0.5 per cent.
* The Industrial Classification system used was
first used in April 2009, it is the new Jamaica Industrial Classification 2005
(JIC 2005). The JIC 2005 replaces the Jamaica Industrial Classification 1987
(JIC 1987) in an attempt to rationalize, reorganize, disaggregate and regroup
existing industries into a more convenient and relevant classification protocol.
A preliminary attempt has been made to translate
previous industrial classification in all consequent tables and further
refinement may occur.
The Labour Force Bulletin July 2009 may be obtained by contacting our distribution
centre located @ 7 Cecelio Avenue,Kingston
10.
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