The Transition of Jamaican - International Labour Organisation ...

from the 2004 Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions, the average household size
was 3.5 persons.
In terms of marital/union status, 92.2 per cent of the sample reported they
were Single (never married). Smaller proportions of the sample were in commonlaw
unions (6.4 per cent) or were married (1.3 per cent). The 2001 Population
Census Country Report (STATIN, 2003) indicated that 10.1 per cent of youth
16–24 years were in common-law unions, and 2.2 per cent of youth in this age
group were married.
When asked, “With whom do you live?” 28.6 per cent stated: “Both Parents”
35.5 per cent responded: “Mother” and 5.2 per cent reported: “Father”. The
remainder lived with other relatives.
While a large proportion of the sample reported that their parent/guardian was
working, being 69.9 per cent for mothers, 87.1 per cent for fathers, and 72.4 per
cent for guardians, many did not specify their parent’s/guardian’s occupation.
However, those who responded gave two main occupational groups, being Service
Workers, Shop and Market Sales Workers, and Elementary Occupations. These
groups are based on the Jamaica Standard Occupational Classification (1991).
The main occupation groups given by respondents in relation to their mothers
were Elementary Occupations (33.3 per cent) and Service Workers, Shop and
Market Sales Workers (32.3 per cent). The main occupations for fathers were
Service Workers, Shop and Market Sales Workers (24.0 per cent), Elementary
Occupations (23.1 per cent) and Skilled Agricultural and Fishery Workers (21.1 per
cent). Guardians were employed primarily as Service Workers, Shop and Market
Sales Workers (36.0 per cent), and in Elementary Occupations (23.7 per cent).
The level of response to total monthly income of household was low. Of the
1 271 responses received, 26.5 per cent of the youth stated that their monthly
household income was less than $20 000, 24.4 per cent reported that their
monthly household income was $20 000–$29 999, and 18.2 per cent reported
that their income was $30 000–$39 999. This response is in relation to the period
January–March 2004.
Dependents
A total of 721 youth (19.6 per cent) reported that they had children.
Approximately 3.1 per cent of In School youth reported having a child, compared
to 35.5 per cent of Self-Employed youth, 34.2 per cent of Not Working youth, and
24.9 per cent of Employed youth. Of those with children, 71.6 per cent had one
child, and 20.8 per cent had two children. The maximum number of children
The maximum number
of children
recorded was six; this
was reported by a 24-
year old. However, the
average number of
children per young
parent was 1.3
CHAPTER 2: PROFILE OF YOUTH
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