Young People Want to Work but Unemployment rate is high, says 2015 survey.

In October 2015, the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) reported that the unemployment rate in Jamaica was estimated at 13.5 per cent. According to the agency, "the unemployment rate for youth is considerably higher, at 30.3 per cent, and the average unemployment rate for women is double that for men: 18.5 per cent versus 9.3 per cent".

A School-to-Work Transition Survey (SWTS), which was conducted in 2013 by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica, noted that most of Jamaica's youngsters were more than willing to work.

"One of the major goals of youth is to be able to obtain decent and satisfactory employment, which will facilitate the attainment of their other goals," the survey stated. "Obtaining decent and satisfactory employment, however, continues to be an elusive goal for many, especially in light of the global economic crisis, which has had far reaching effects especially in small island developing states such as Jamaica."

The survey, which was conducted in collaboration with International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Planning Institute of Jamaica, was aimed at providing insights into the experiences of Jamaica's school-leavers and the perceptions of youth regarding their future prospects, life goals and aspirations.

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