Jamaica Services Employment
Employment in services SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS
Jamaica's services employment was 68.93% in 2025, ranked 118th globally. This represents a 0.5% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Jamaica's services employment stood at 68.93% in 2025, a rise of +0.31% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 69.46% by 2026. Jamaica ranked 118th globally.
Jamaica’s services sector employed 68.93 % of the labour force in 2025, ranking it 118th globally and marking the highest share recorded since the series began in 1991, when the share stood at 50.61 %. The 35‑year span shows a steady rise, with the services share expanding by 18.32 percentage points, reflecting structural shifts toward tourism, financial services and digital outsourcing. This trajectory parallels the experience of peers such as Kazakhstan, which posted a comparable 68.79 % share in the same year, and exceeds Belize’s 68.52 % level, underscoring Jamaica’s relative success in capitalising on service‑oriented growth. The all‑time peak in 2025 suggests that the economy has largely completed its transition from agriculture‑dominant employment, yet further gains will depend on expanding high‑value services, improving skill levels and maintaining macro‑economic stability to sustain the upward trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Services Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 70.35% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 69.90% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 69.46% | - | - |
| 2025 | 68.93% | +0.31% | #118 |
| 2024 | 68.62% | +0.41% | #118 |
| 2023 | 68.21% | +0.51% | #121 |
| 2022 | 67.70% | +0.53% | #121 |
| 2021 | 67.17% | −1.11% | #118 |
| 2020 | 68.28% | −0.30% | #125 |
| 2019 | 68.58% | +0.97% | #126 |
| 2018 | 67.62% | +0.10% | #126 |
| 2017 | 67.51% | −0.06% | #126 |
| 2016 | 67.57% | +0.25% | #127 |
| 2015 | 67.32% | +0.74% | #127 |
| 2014 | 66.59% | +0.06% | #124 |
| 2013 | 66.53% | +0.13% | #125 |
| 2012 | 66.40% | +0.11% | #127 |
| 2011 | 66.29% | +2.56% | #126 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Jamaica matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw services employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Jamaica's services employment was 68.93% in 2025. Ranked 118th globally. This represents a 0.5% increase from the previous year.
Jamaica's services employment peaked at 68.93% in 2025.
The lowest services employment in Jamaica was 50.61% in 1991.
Jamaica ranks 118th globally in services employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Jamaica's services employment is projected to reach 69.46% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The services employment of Jamaica in 2025 was 68.93%. This ranks 118th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_jamaica_services-employment,
title = {Jamaica Services Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/jamaica/services-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}