What could the Future of Jobs look like for Jamaica?

In this JEP Discussion, panellists reflected on key developments in Jamaica’s job market since 2000, examining how these changes have shaped the types of jobs and their characteristics today. Looking ahead to 2040, panellists they focused on identifying likely trends and developments that will influence the future of work in Jamaica and assessed their expected impacts. Additionally, the panel explored potential scenarios for jobs in Jamaica, considering the implications of these identified trends and developments on the labour market and workforce dynamics.

Dr. Nadine McCloud, Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics, University of the West Indies Mona, emphasized how crucial it is for Jamaica to proactively prepare the its citizenry for challenges and opportunities that will come with the labour market changes.

“As AI infiltrates labour markets globally and renders irreversible changes to their structure, how the future of jobs in Jamaica will redound to the benefit of its citizens, depends on the structural adaptions we begin to pursue today actively. Thus, Jamaica has to be deliberate and proactive in preparing its citizens for the opportunities and obstacles that will permeate its labour market in the next few decades and beyond,” Dr. McCloud said.

The transition from the third industrial revolution, marked by advancements in information, communication, and automation technologies, to the ongoing fourth industrial revolution, driven by digitalization and robotics, highlights the transformative nature of these changes. Artificial intelligence (AI), in particular, is reshaping industries, enabling innovation, and enhancing productivity, but it also risks widening economic and social inequalities, especially between high- and low-income communities. These technological advancements, alongside other drivers like aging populations and environmental crises, will profoundly influence the future of work for Jamaica.

Responding to the survey results, Mr. Dennis Zulu, United Nations Resident Coordinator, expressed that “Though the changes in the labour market are inevitable, Jamaica can prepare for them adequately by strengthening its education systems, investing in and adopting the use of advanced technology, enhancing their social protection systems and engaging in strategic partnerships with development partners to secure a sustainable future of jobs for Jamaica.”

Overall, the JEP Panellists discussion concluded that since 2000, Jamaica's labour market has seen notable shifts, including growth in entrepreneurial activity, increased demand for technology-related skills, and the emergence of roles such as content creators and cybersecurity specialists. However, many some panellists believe that the workforce remains inadequately prepared to meet the evolving demands anticipated by 2040.

Dr. Stuart Davies, Senior UN Economist, UN Resident Coordinator’s Office highlighted that, “Technological advancements are having a profound impact worldwide. These changes affect both demand and supply in labour markets in many positive as well as negative ways, and the time for governments, employers, and workers to prepare themselves between each new phase is diminishing fast. Decision-making under such uncertainty is of course complex, yet we are all called upon to make these from time to time.… For Jamaica, prone to vulnerabilities, investing today in greater future’s capability today will be a crucial step to ensuring sustained inclusive prosperity in future years.”

The Jamaican Economy Panel is part of a partnership between the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO) and the Department of Economics at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona. The JEP brings together economic, public-sector experts and development practitioners to address monthly socio-economic questions. These questions help to highlight relevant economic issues and the collective expertise of the panellists.