Holness says only 20,000 Jamaicans jobless

July 18, 2025
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Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness says only about 20,000 Jamaicans are currently without a job.

Speaking at a Jamaica Labour Party meeting in Old Harbour, St Catherine, last Sunday, Holness said the dramatic drop in unemployment is proof that his administration has transformed the Jamaican economy.

"Unemployment was at 13 per cent when we took it over. Unemployment is now at three per cent.," Holness said to thunderous applause from the sea of green-clad, vuvuzela-blowing Labourites.

Data from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica revealed the unemployment rate stood at 3.3 per cent in April 2025, down from 4.2 per cent in April 2024.

Holness said the massive drop in unemployment is a direct result of his administration's efforts. He said it demonstrates that "good government matters", and said the real challenge now is not the lack of jobs, but making sure that the last 20,000 unemployed Jamaicans are trained and certified to take advantage of the opportunities available.

"The biggest problem now is to get those youngsters who are unskilled to get them skills and certification, so we can get that remaining 20,000 people in the population, who are not employed into jobs. And it is not that there isn't any jobs. We just need to get them skilled," Holness said.

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