The island witnessed a 1.8 per cent rise in jobs filled between 2023 and 2024, the Minister of Economy and Labour has announced.

Jason Hayward noted that the latest job market employment briefs showed an increase of 585 posts, bringing the total number of jobs filled to 33,451.

However, he said that job growth for Bermudians in the same period climbed 0.1 per cent to 22,369, with the total still 927 jobs below pre-pandemic levels.

Jobs for non-Bermudians increased by 6.8 per cent or 550 jobs, totalling 8,677.

Mr Hayward said: “The increase in filled jobs reflects positively on Bermuda’s economic health and growth prospects while also highlighting the need to continue building upon this progress.”

Mr Hayward said that while more Bermudians were working in 2024 compared with 2023, Bermuda’s ageing population and low unemployment rate had led to “modest” Bermudian job growth.

He added: “Essentially, new jobs filled by Bermudians simply replaced jobs possessed by Bermudians exiting the workforce. As a result, Bermudian jobs increased by 0.1 per cent or 18 additional jobs, reaching 22,369, representing 67 per cent of total jobs.”

Asked if he believed pre-pandemic employment levels were achievable, Mr Hayward said: “I don’t see the momentum that we are having with job growth abating any time soon.

“When I am talking to businesses in Bermuda, they have expansion plans. Not many are talking about contraction in terms of employment levels.”

Mr Hayward said that the median gross annual income for all job holders increased by 1.3 per cent, or $913, to $71,151.

The median gross annual income for all age groups increased year over year.

Mr Hayward said that key findings from the 2023 to 2024 comparison showed that 13 of 19 industrial sectors reported job expansion, highlighting “diversified growth”.

The top three industrial sectors for growth were administrative and support services, which recorded a 7 per cent increase to 1,903 jobs. International business activities saw a 2.3 per cent rise to 5,040 jobs, and health and social work rose by 4.3 per cent to 2,647 jobs.

Mr Hayward said that the employment brief helped to identify potential job opportunities for suitably qualified Bermudians.

In 2024, some of the key occupations included:

• Chef de partie/cook

• Director/chief executive

• Waiter

• Actuary

• Finance manager

• Accountant

• Cleaner

• Registered nurse

• Mason

• Landscaper

Mr Hayward said: “While the jobs data demonstrates growth in many job market areas, the Government is fully aware of the need to continue prioritising the creation of sustainable employment opportunities, especially for Bermudians.

“Our unwavering commitment is to ensure that Bermudians have access to stable, well-paying jobs and are positioned to benefit from our economic growth.

“It is also important to note that, while we have made progress, the number of filled jobs remains 927 below the pre-pandemic level of 2019, underscoring the work that still lies ahead.”

Mr Hayward said he was not concerned at the potential effects on employment from advances in artificial intelligence.

He said AI would likely enhance business operations rather than replace jobs.

He added: “We haven't seen displacement. I am not too concerned; I think it will complement the business services provided.”

The 2025 edition of the Bermuda Job Market Employment Briefs is based on data collected from the 2024 Employment Survey — an annual review of all businesses on the island.

The survey reference week was August 25 to August 31 last year.