Jamaica Agriculture Employment
Employment in agriculture SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS
Jamaica's agriculture employment was 13.94% in 2025, ranked 89th globally. This represents a 2.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Jamaica's agriculture employment stood at 13.94% in 2025, a decline of +0.30% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 13.40% by 2026. Jamaica ranked 89th globally.
Jamaica’s share of the labour force employed in agriculture fell from an all‑time peak of 28.96 % in 1991 to a trough of 13.94 % in 2025, placing the country 89th globally among 190 economies in the World Bank series. The 35‑year decline reflects structural shifts toward services and manufacturing, as well as recurring climate stresses that have reduced arable land and productivity. By 2025 the agricultural employment rate is almost identical to that of El Salvador (13.85 %) and only marginally lower than Colombia (14.16 %), suggesting that Jamaica now occupies a similar position to other small‑to‑medium developing economies that have diversified away from primary production. Despite the contraction, the sector remains a vital source of rural livelihoods and food security, and its future trajectory will depend on the extent to which policy reforms, climate‑resilient technologies and value‑chain integration can reverse the long‑term downward trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Agriculture Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 12.56% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 12.98% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 13.40% | - | - |
| 2025 | 13.94% | −0.30% | #89 |
| 2024 | 14.25% | −0.31% | #89 |
| 2023 | 14.55% | −0.30% | #91 |
| 2022 | 14.85% | −0.88% | #93 |
| 2021 | 15.74% | −0.20% | #95 |
| 2020 | 15.94% | +0.71% | #93 |
| 2019 | 15.23% | −1.03% | #91 |
| 2018 | 16.26% | −0.50% | #96 |
| 2017 | 16.76% | +0.04% | #96 |
| 2016 | 16.72% | −1.02% | #94 |
| 2015 | 17.74% | −0.71% | #94 |
| 2014 | 18.45% | +0.23% | #96 |
| 2013 | 18.22% | +0.11% | #94 |
| 2012 | 18.11% | +0.49% | #93 |
| 2011 | 17.62% | −2.68% | #90 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Jamaica matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw agriculture employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Jamaica's agriculture employment was 13.94% in 2025. Ranked 89th globally. This represents a 2.1% decrease from the previous year.
Jamaica's agriculture employment peaked at 28.96% in 1991.
The lowest agriculture employment in Jamaica was 13.94% in 2025.
Jamaica ranks 89th globally in agriculture employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Jamaica's agriculture employment is projected to reach 13.40% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The agriculture employment of Jamaica in 2025 was 13.94%. This ranks 89th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_jamaica_agriculture-employment,
title = {Jamaica Agriculture Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/jamaica/agriculture-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}