NASSAU, BAHAMAS- Labour Minister Pia Glover-Rolle cautioned that the latest unemployment figures do not fully reflect the current state of the Bahamian labour market, emphasizing instead the urgent need to address skills mismatches amid rising jobseekers.
According to the Bahamas National Statistical Institute’s Labour Force Survey for the first quarter of 2025, unemployment rose to 10.8 percent, up from a two-decade low of 7.2 percent in late 2024. The labour force participation rate also increased to 76 percent, signaling more Bahamians entering the job market, but not all finding employment.
“It is not simply that jobs are unavailable. Hundreds of openings exist in our Department of Labour database that we have been unable to fill. The real challenge lies in building and aligning skills with the opportunities on offer. That is why this administration has been proactive in investing in training, apprenticeships, and new pathways to ensure Bahamians are ready for the jobs of today and tomorrow,” Glover-Rolle said.
The Ministry of Labour highlighted several initiatives aimed at addressing skills shortages and improving employability. These include the National Apprenticeship Programme (NAP) with pilots in construction and maritime sectors, the Bahamas Polytechnic Accreditation & Training Hub (BPATH), expansion of the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) across the Family Islands, and the recently launched Creative and Performing Arts School (CAPAS).
The government also established a National Productivity Task Force to lay the groundwork for a National Productivity Council.
“The National Productivity Task Force has been mandated to lay the foundation for a National Productivity Council. Its work includes creating the framework, systems, and stakeholder partnerships necessary to address productivity shortfalls that limit economic participation,” Glover-Rolle explained.
While recent hiring exercises in Grand Bahama are expected to improve employment figures in upcoming reports, the current labour data underscores ongoing challenges, particularly among youth and underemployed workers.
Minister Glover-Rolle noted: “Last year, our GDP continued to grow. And in the third quarter, unemployment reached one of its lowest points since the turn of the century. We remain confident that our policies, training initiatives, and investments will continue to expand opportunities and prepare Bahamians for long-term success.”
Opposition Shadow Minister of Finance J. Kwasi Thompson has criticized the government’s handling of the economy, citing the loss of 5,571 jobs, rising unemployment, and nearly one in three workers underemployed.
“Almost one in every three employed Bahamians is not getting enough work. This is devastating for families trying to make ends meet,” Thompson said.
He also highlighted gender disparities and a lack of progress in creating high-skill opportunities for young people and women.
“The PLP has failed to create meaningful opportunities for Bahamians, particularly in high-skill, high-paying sectors where women and young people could thrive,” Thompson stated.
Thompson outlined the Free National Movement’s plan to stimulate economic growth by fast-tracking development projects, investing $50 million in small and medium enterprises, and launching initiatives focused on technology and housing.
