By Fay Simmons

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

The Prime Minister says he is not “downplaying” the recent 52 percent increase in the number of jobless Bahamians as he attributed the increase to more persons entering the workforce.

Philip Davis KC maintained that the rise in the 2025 first quarter unemployment figures reflects greater confidence among Bahamians in the economy’s prospects, which has prompted more persons to enter the labour market and, consequently, increasing the jobless numbers until they find work.

“I’m not downplaying any figures. The Statistical Institute is an independent body. They came out with the numbers, and when I read their report, I understood why they came to the numbers that are there. It’s not alarming to me, because what the report speaks to is that more Bahamians are confident about our economy, and therefore more Bahamians are looking for jobs,” said Mr Davis.

“And once you’re looking for a job, then you’re factored into the unemployment numbers. We didn’t have that many persons looking for a job before, and they all are now, so I’m encouraged by that.”

Mr Davis also highlighted the impact of seasonal employment patterns on the figures, pointing to industries such as fishing where workers are only employed during certain times of the year.

“There’s also another factor about part-time workers. When they’re not working during the season, they’re considered unemployed, but when the season opens again, they’re employed. So there were influencing factors to the numbers, and so I’m not discouraged by those things, and I’m not downplaying anything,” said Mr Davis.

Michael Pintard, the Opposition’s leader, sharply criticised the Davis administration’s response to the rising unemployment figures, accusing the Government of “gaslighting” the public over the true state of the jobs market.

He argued that attributing the increase in unemployment to seasonal factors was misleading given that the period surveyed typically represents peak employment opportunities in the tourism sector during its winter season.

“First he blamed the stats on the season we’re in. In reality, the related report covered surveys done in January to March of this year, the high season for tourism, when demand for labour is arguably at its highest,” said Mr Pintard.

“Then he claimed the massive jump in the unemployment rate was caused by the fact that more people entered the job market. Does he read his own reports, or is he just gaslighting us again?”

Mr Pintard stressed that the number of employed Bahamians had fallen by more than 5,500 during the period between the 2024 third quarter and 2025 first quarter, signalling a net loss of jobs despite an expanding labour force.

“The labour survey report by the BNSI indicated that the number of employed Bahamians fell by more than 5,500 workers from the third quarter of last year to the first quarter of this year. In other words, the economy lost approximately 5,500 jobs during that period. Even as the labour force increased, there were simply fewer jobs available according to the official government statistics,” he added.

The Bahamas National Statistical Institute’s latest report revealed that the official unemployment rate rose from 7.2 percent in the third quarter of 2024 to 9 percent by year-end, before reaching 10.8 percent in the first quarter of 2025. The number of unemployed increased by 8,885 during this period, while 65,225 workers—about 30 percent of those employed—were under-employed, working part-time but seeking additional hours.

In January 2025, there were 25,925 unemployed individuals, with females representing 51.3 percent. Youth unemployment was notably high at 20.9 percent. Women aged 20 to 54 were more likely to be unemployed than men in the same age groups, though men aged 25 to 44 faced slightly higher unemployment than women in that range.

Approximately 106,480 people were outside the labour force, including 3,720 discouraged workers who had stopped job searching due to lack of opportunities or other barriers. Among young people aged 15 to 24, 23.9 percent were outside the labour force.

The total labour force numbered 240,650 in January 2025, with a 76 percent participation rate—higher among men (80.4 percent) than women (72 percent).