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Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared that Jamaica’s next phase of economic growth depends on improving national productivity, shifting the country’s focus from job creation to developing higher-value work. Speaking at the Amber Group’s 10th Anniversary Gala and AI Robotics Showcase, Holness emphasised that achieving record-low unemployment is only the foundation for deeper, long-term transformation.
Key Details
Jamaica’s unemployment rate now stands at 3.3 per cent, the lowest in the nation’s history — a milestone reflecting years of strong recovery and resilience. However, Prime Minister Holness noted that simply having more people employed is not enough to guarantee sustainable growth.
He explained that the country’s new challenge lies in increasing productivity, upskilling workers, and expanding access to higher-value employment opportunities that generate wealth and innovation.
“We are very proud to say we have 3.3 percent unemployment, but that is just the base — that solves step one of the problem,” Holness said. “Step two is to increase productivity and the level of task and undertaking that our people perform. That’s how we move from employment to empowerment, upskilling to higher-level jobs and higher pay.”
Holness underscored that the services sector, which represents nearly 70 per cent of Jamaica’s economy, must evolve through improved quality and sophistication. He asserted that enhancing the skills and efficiency of the workforce will be the key driver of sustained economic growth and competitiveness.
Background
Over the past decade, Jamaica’s economy has achieved significant milestones — reduced unemployment, stable inflation, and improved investor confidence. However, the Prime Minister warned that to sustain progress, Jamaica must now transition from quantity-driven to quality-driven growth.
He described this transformation as a shift from a focus on employment numbers to an emphasis on labour productivity — the measure of how effectively people produce goods and services. Countries that successfully improve productivity, Holness noted, typically see higher wages, stronger innovation, and greater resilience against global market shifts.
The Amber Group event, where Holness delivered his remarks, celebrated local innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, aligning with the Prime Minister’s call for a technologically advanced economy. The event showcased how local firms are adapting to global trends by integrating automation and AI into their operations.
Quotes
Holness reiterated the urgent need for Jamaica to modernise its approach to work and innovation.
“If our economy is to grow, the services that we provide must either expand or improve in quality and sophistication,” he said. “That is why productivity and skills development are not optional; they are fundamental to building a modern, competitive Jamaica.”
He further emphasised that Jamaica’s economic structure — heavily dependent on human capital rather than natural resources — makes it imperative to focus on innovation-led growth.
“For decades, we have hidden from this issue of productivity,” Holness added. “If we are to thrive as a country that cannot rely on natural resources, we must build a labour force capable of performing more complex, higher-value work that earns higher incomes and drives innovation.”
Analysis
Prime Minister Holness’s remarks reflect a global trend where developing economies, after achieving low unemployment, must tackle the challenge of productivity stagnation. Jamaica’s workforce, while fully employed in many sectors, continues to face barriers such as outdated skills, limited access to digital training, and slow adoption of technology in business operations.
Experts in labour economics note that improving productivity requires structural investment in education, digital literacy, and workplace innovation. This includes modernising vocational programmes, expanding access to STEM education, and creating incentives for private-sector training initiatives.
The Government’s partnerships with institutions such as HEART/NSTA Trust and the University of Technology (UTech) are expected to play a pivotal role in achieving these objectives. Increased collaboration between academia and industry could foster a workforce ready for high-tech manufacturing, financial services, digital entrepreneurship, and renewable energy — sectors that drive higher-value employment.
Additionally, the Prime Minister’s focus on AI and robotics aligns with global economic transitions toward automation and digital services. If properly managed, these technologies could help Jamaica overcome its productivity bottlenecks while positioning itself as a competitive player in regional and global markets.
Our Opinion
Prime Minister Holness’s focus on productivity as the next phase of Jamaica’s economic journey marks a crucial and timely shift. Achieving record-low unemployment is a major success, but ensuring that jobs translate into sustainable wealth creation will determine Jamaica’s long-term prosperity.
The challenge now lies in execution — ensuring that education, technology, and policy reforms move in lockstep with the Prime Minister’s vision. Workforce training must be accessible and future-focused, aligning closely with business needs in a rapidly digitalising economy.
If Jamaica successfully embraces productivity-led growth, it could redefine itself as a knowledge-driven, innovation-based economy — one where full employment means not just more jobs, but better jobs.
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