Guyana’s labour market strengthened significantly between 2020 and 2025 as the country’s rapidly expanding economy brought more people into the workforce and pushed unemployment sharply lower. According to figures from the Bureau of Statistics published in the Government’s 2026 Mid-Year Report, the labour force grew by 47.8 per cent over the five-year period.

At the same time, the unemployment rate fell from 12.8 per cent in the first quarter of 2020 to 6.2 per cent by the fourth quarter of 2025. Labour force participation also improved, rising from 50.4 per cent to 59.2 per cent, indicating that a larger share of the working-age population was either employed or actively seeking work.

The improvement was also reflected in the total number of people employed. Employment increased from 264,862 in the first quarter of 2020 to 421,334 by the fourth quarter of 2025, representing an increase of more than 156,000 workers. Over the same period, the employment-to-population ratio for persons aged 15 and older rose from 43.9 per cent to 55.5 per cent.

The private sector remained the largest source of jobs, accounting for 254,649 workers, or 60.4 per cent of total employment, in the fourth quarter of 2025. The public sector employed 107,266 people, representing 25.5 per cent of the workforce, while the not-for-profit sector accounted for a further 59,419 workers, or 14.1 per cent.

Employment was also spread across a broad range of industries. Wholesale and retail trade was the largest employer among the leading sectors, accounting for 14.7 per cent of total employment. Construction followed at 12.5 per cent, while public administration and defence represented 10.0 per cent. Agriculture, forestry and fishing accounted for 9.8 per cent, and manufacturing for 8.7 per cent.

The relatively large share of construction employment reflects the extensive infrastructure programme that has accompanied Guyana’s economic expansion in recent years. At the same time, the distribution of employment across several industries suggests that labour market growth has not been concentrated in a single sector.

The figures point to a substantial transformation in Guyana’s labour market over the past five years. More than 145,000 people entered the labour force, while employment increased by more than 156,000 and unemployment was cut by more than half.

The Government said the next Labour Force Survey is expected to be conducted in the final quarter of 2026. The results will provide a clearer indication of whether the recent improvement in employment and labour force participation can be sustained as the economy continues to expand.

Source: (Guyana Chronicles)

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