Unemployment fell 0.9 points compared to October 2024, consolidating the labor recovery.
News Colombia.
The National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) confirmed that the unemployment rate in Colombia for October 2025 was 8.2%, becoming the lowest figure recorded since 2017. The data reflects a sustained improvement in the labor market and evidences the progressive recovery of the country in the midst of the complex global economic panorama.
According to the entity, the indicator represents a reduction of 0.9 percentage points compared to the same month of the previous year, when unemployment stood at 9.1%. For analysts, this drop is significant and demonstrates a strengthening in job creation, especially in activities associated with commerce, services and industry.
Fact of the day! 📉 In October 2025, the unemployment rate was 8.2%, a statistically significant variation compared to October 2024, when it was 9.1%.
📌 This rate is the lowest in the entire series since 2014 for October. pic.twitter.com/8o9JomkVSP
— DANE Colombia (@DANE_Colombia) November 28, 2025
DANE also reported that the employment rate reached 59.7%, which indicates that more Colombians managed to find employment during the month of analysis. This behavior shows a greater capacity of the labor market to absorb the available labor force.
Another key indicator was the overall participation rate, which reached 65%, showing that more people are actively involved in job searching or are already employed. For experts, this movement reflects greater optimism regarding the job opportunities available in the country.
#Activities 🚜I By October 2025, the branch of economic activity that contributed most to the increase in the employed population was agriculture, livestock, hunting, forestry and fishing with 1.5 pp pic.twitter.com/YQ2ITyRbuF
— DANE Colombia (@DANE_Colombia) November 28, 2025
The main cities that contributed the most to the reduction of unemployment were the large capitals and some intermediate urban centers where retail and wholesale trade was energized, as well as the transportation and storage sector, activities that traditionally drive demand for labor in times prior to the end of the year.
Despite the positive balance, economists warn that challenges persist: informality remains high and some sectors have not yet fully recovered their pre-pandemic employment level. However, the October result is seen as a firm step towards the consolidation of a more stable labor market with better opportunities for Colombians.
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