DANE reported a historic reduction in unemployment at the end of 2025, driven by the increase in the employed population.
The National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) reported that the Unemployment Rate (TD) at the national level in November was from 7.0%in front of the 8.2% registered in the same month of 2024. The entity specified that this variation corresponds to a statistically significant decrease of 1.1 percentage points.
“It is about the lowest unemployment rate in the entire historical series“, indicated from DANE.
The Occupancy Rate (TO) was located in 60.2%while the Global Participation Rate (TGP) rose to 64.7%in front of 58.5% and 63.7% of the previous year, respectively.
The gender gap showed progress. The Unemployment rate in men was from 5.5%while in the women was located in 9.1%which left a difference of 3.5 percentage pointsthe lowest in the historical series.
“The decreases in unemployment are statistically significant for both genders“, they added from DANE.
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Increase in the employed population
The employed population increased by 993,000 peoplea growth of 4.2%. The largest increases were recorded in Populated centers and dispersed rural areas (6.2%), followed by Other headers and the top 10 cities (4.7%).
By branches of activity, they led Agriculture, livestock, hunting, forestry and fishing (312,000 people), Accommodation and food services (247,000) and Construction (184,000). In contrast, Manufacturing industries presented a reduction of 102,000 employed.
Reduction of the unemployed population
The unemployed population decreased in 241,000 people compared to the previous year. The biggest drops were seen in Populated centers and dispersed rural areas (31%) and in the top 10 cities (16.9%).
“This shows a positive change in the labor market and reflects a increase in formal and informal employment opportunities”said DANE analysts.
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Youth unemployment and variations by city
In the young populationthe Unemployment Rate was from 14.0% in the moving quarter September–November 2025. The highest figures were recorded in Quibdo (30.8%), Sincelejo (25.2%) and Cartagena (23.5%). In contrast, Bogotá DC (11.4%), Bucaramanga (12.0%) and Villavicencio (12.1%) presented the lowest levels.
In all cities, Quibdo led unemployment with 21.8%followed by Cartagena (12.6%) and Riohacha (11.7%). Villavicencio (6.8%), Bogota (7.0%) and Manizales (7.2%) reported the lowest rates.
The Preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate November was 8.3% at the national level, 0.5 percentage points less than in October. In the 13 cities and metropolitan areas remained stable in 8.7%.
“The seasonally adjusted indicators confirm a stable trend of unemployment reduction in the country,” they concluded from DANE.
Source: Integrated Information System
