'Unemployment is down' — Shaw

The unemployment rate has continued to decline despite an increase in the number of persons actively seeking employment.

Finance Minister Audley Shaw said the July 2016 data show that the unemployment rate was 12.9 per cent, lower than the 13.1 per cent in July 2015, and the 13.7 per cent in April 2016.

"What this means is that the number of employed persons increased by 17, 900 between April and July 2016, and by 39,400 when compared with employment in July 2015," he explained.

Shaw noted the number of persons who entered the labour force who are now actively seeking jobs has increased by 9,400 over the period April to July 2016, and by 42,600 between July 2015 and July 2016.

"This trend indicates that with continued growth, we can expect more employment opportunities for Jamaicans," Shaw said.