Bahamas, August 14, 2017 – Nassau – Unemployment rate in the Bahamas declines 1.7%. Since November 2016, the unemployment rate declined from 11.6% to 9.9% due to an increase (7,770) of employed persons and a decrease (3,485) of unemployed persons. The three most populated islands that were surveyed experienced decreases in their unemployment rates. At the time of the survey (April 24 – 30, 2017) the rate in New Providence was 10.4%; in Grand Bahama, 12.4%, and Abaco 7.8%.
Among the employed labour force, there were more men than women. However, in all the islands surveyed except Abaco, men were fewer in numbers among the unemployed labour force. In May 2017, vulnerable employment was 8.2% of total employment. During the period 2012 to 2017, the share of workers in vulnerable employment was fairly stable and ranged between 7.0% and 9.2% of the employed labour force.
The percentage of men in this category was higher, although the percentage points differences between men and women were fairly small. These workers as defined by ILO are less likely to have formal work arrangements, and more likely to lack decent working conditions and are often characterized by inadequate earnings and benefits.
The private sector absorbed most of the new jobs since November 2016. However, when examined by industry, the “Community, Social and Personal Service” industry which includes the civil service, police service and the domestic services posted a 29.1% increase in employment; hotels and restaurants posted 26.2% increase and construction posted 20.0% increase.
Unemployment among youths (15-24 years) in the country continued to be considerably higher than any other age group which is common to most countries. However, there was a slight decline in the rate from 25.1% recorded in November 2016 to 24.1%.
Discouraged workers in the country declined by 8.8% over the six month period. New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco experienced declines in the number of discouraged workers – 11.3%, 8.1% and 14.6%, respectively. These persons, according to the standard definition of the International Labour Organization (ILO), ‘’did not look for work because they believed no jobs were available for them’’.
The Department of Statistics is the Government Agency in The Bahamas mandated by law to collect, process, analyze and disseminate statistics. Its mandate is to deliver timely official statistics. Please contact the Department of Statistics @ 242-604- 4000 for questions and enquiries. This release, with accompanying tables, will be immediately available on the Department’s website, www.bahamas.gov.bs/statistics. Further details will be available by September 2017.
