Jamaica’s unemployment rate rose to 3.6% in the first quarter of 2026 from 3.3% in the previous three-month period, marking the highest reading since Q1 2025. Unemployment Rate in Jamaica averaged 10.88 percent from 1991 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 16.50 percent in the fourth quarter of 1997 and a record low of 3.30 percent in the second quarter of 2025. source: Statistical Institute of Jamaica

Unemployment Rate in Jamaica is expected to be 3.40 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Jamaica Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 3.80 percent in 2027 and 5.50 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 1389400.00 1413200.00 Mar 2026
Employment Rate 64.50 65.60 percent Mar 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 66.80 67.80 percent Mar 2026
Population 2.94 2.93 Million Dec 2025
Unemployed Persons 51500.00 48800.00 Mar 2026
Unemployment Rate 3.60 3.30 percent Mar 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 10.70 10.60 percent Mar 2026


Jamaica Unemployment Rate
In Jamaica, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
3.60 3.30 16.50 3.30 1991 - 2026 percent Quarterly