Trinidad and Tobago’s unemployment rate has climbed to 5.4%, with thousands more people now looking for work.
Official figures from the Central Statistical Office show unemployment rising from 4.3% in the final quarter of 2025 to 5.4% during the first quarter of 2026.
The number of unemployed people increased from approximately 25,700 to 31,900, while the number of people with jobs declined from 569,900 to 564,000.
There was also a major increase in people actively searching for employment, with that figure jumping by more than 27% compared with the previous quarter.
Young people were particularly affected. Unemployment among persons between 15 and 24 years old climbed from 7.7% to 12.6%.
The figures point to weakening conditions in Trinidad and Tobago’s labour market, placing renewed focus on job creation and economic activity as the country moves through 2026.
