The Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development has noted recent media reporting on the Central Statistical Office’s (CSO) Labour Force Survey for the first quarter of 2026 and wishes to provide important context to ensure the data is interpreted accurately and responsibly.

Senator the Honourable Dr. Kennedy Swaratsingh, Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development, stressed that while official labour market statistics should always be reported, they must also be presented within the context of the internationally accepted methodology used to produce them. Minister Swaratsingh cautioned against viewing the report in isolation, noting that the data must be compared against the same period of the year prior, 1st quarter of 2025 with the 1st quarter of 2026, and not the 4th quarter of 2025 with the 1st quarter of 2026.

Minister Swaratsingh further noted that labour market statistics should also be interpreted within the context of historical seasonal patterns observed in Trinidad and Tobago’s economy. “Over the past decade, Labour Force Survey data have consistently shown that unemployment rates recorded in the fourth quarter are often lower than those observed in the first quarter of the following year. For example, between the 4th quarter 2023 and 1st quarter 2024, the number of persons with jobs decreased by 17,300, and between the 4th quarter 2024 and 1st quarter 2025, the number of persons with jobs decreased by 13,400. This reflects the temporary increase in employment opportunities typically associated with the Christmas season, particularly in the wholesale and retail trade, hospitality, transportation and related service sectors”.