The Labour Force and Household income statistics survey results were revealed last Friday and indicated that the labour force increased by 1.4 percent since its last survey conducted in November 2014.

During a press conference at the Department of Statistics, the results, which were obtained over a period of six months, showed that the labour force now totals 208,895 persons compared to 206,050 in 2014.

According to Department of Statistics Deputy Director Carmen Dawkins, there was an increase in the numbers of employed persons and a decrease in the number of unemployed persons resulting in an unemployment rate of 12 percent, which indicated a decline over the rate recorded last November.

“The three major islands New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco all experienced decreases in their unemployment level,” she said.

“At the time of the survey, the rate in New Providence was 12 percent, in Grand Bahama 12.9 percent and in Abaco 12.2 percent.”

The survey as well revealed a drop in the number of discouraged workers by 13 percent over the six month period.

“New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco experienced declines in the number of discouraged workers – 14 percent, 13 percent and 11 percent respectively,” she said.

“ These persons according to the standard definition of the International Labour Organization (ILO), adhered to by The Bahamas and most countries including those of the Caribbean, United States and Canada, are not considered unemployed as they did not meet the criteria of unemployment namely seeking work, willing to work and able to work.”

Mrs. Dawkins said there were also significant differences noted in terms of unemployment in sex and age categories.

“While the number in both the labour force ad employed labour force was almost equally distributed by sex, there were more employed men than women and the men were also fewer in numbers among the unemployed,” she explained.

“The unemployment among youths (15-24 years) in the country continued to be considerably higher than any other age groups and it is common to most countries. However, there was a noticeable decline in the rate from 31 percent recorded in November 2014 to 25.3 percent this year.”

Furthermore, when questioned on the impact Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival may have had on the statistics given the reference period of April 27 – May 3, 2015, Director of Statistics Kelsie Dorsett said there was a possible impact.

“Carnival would have therefore captured preparatory work and additional employment related to the event in both New Providence and Grand Bahama,” said Mrs. Dorsett.

“It also captured additional employees to Baha Mar and its associated out sourcing companies in its efforts to meet its spring opening. Likewise, in some of the islands, temporary employment associated with homecoming was also recorded.”

The only sector that experienced great job losses were workers employed in the finance, insurance, real estate and other business services sector.