A new review of the state of advances of the National Development Plan of Gustavo Petro showed that, during the three years that he has been in charge of the reins of the Nation, he has shown notable advances in strategic areas of the State such as public training, Institutional trust and the inclusion of new actors in the formal economy.
However, these achievements contrast with a structural lag that remains unresolved and is the generation of formal employment in the public sector itself, since a quarter of 2025 itself has only fulfilled a quarter of the goal established in this roadmap to formalize state jobs, which raises doubts about the internal coherence of the institutional transformation proposed by this administration.
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In the review of these indicators that Portfolio has been making, it was found that, according to the most recent national planning and public function, the progress in the formalization of public employment is 25.05%, very Below the objective of 100,000 formal jobs set for the four years of Petro’s government.
This low execution contrasts with other fronts where the goals have already been fulfilled or even exceeded, which is not less if it is taken into account that in a government that proposes to build a participatory, robust and decentralized state, the fact of not guaranteeing decent working conditions within its own structures represents an important debt in social matters.
Currently the progress of the National Development Plan does not reach 60%.
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Solid advances in institutionality
Changing the subject, the lag in formal employment contrasts with outstanding resultsS In other key indicators of the public service, one of the most visible being the training of citizens and public servants in public management, which reached an advance of 240.75%, widely exceeding the goal of 220,000 people formed.
Another front with notable results is territorial technical assistance, which shows an advance of 167.56% with respect to the goal and reaffirms the significant expansion of the state presence in municipalities and departments, in line with the decentralization speech that the current government has marked; While the strategy is complemented by the implementation of the Action Plan of the Public Employment and Human Talent Management Policy, which reaches 76%compliance.
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Institutional trust, measured through an index that averaged 2.42 in 2021 and had to reach 2.7 in the four -year period, is already at a level of 94.44% compliance, according to the official monitoring system.
This improvement in the perception of the State as a reliable actor is connected with another emblematic figure of the Petro Government such as 96.03% participation of suppliers of suppliers Popular economy in public procurement mechanisms launched since 2023.
All these data show an important advance in terms of inclusion, legitimacy and institutional capacity, at least as regards public policy instruments. However, this impulse does not yet translate into a structural improvement of working conditions within the State itself.
Currently the progress of the National Development Plan does not reach 60%.
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Labor formalization: a promise even without compliance
The great debt of the institutional front is the formalization of public employment, Since despite having 15,000 formal jobs as a baseline in 2022 and a goal of 100,000 by 2026, the progress reported until June 2025 barely reaches 25,050 formalized jobs and in relative terms, this represents only 25% of the objective, with just an remaining year and a half to meet it.
It is worth keeping in mind that the persistence of hiring modalities as orders for the provision of services, temporary links or outsourcing in State entities reproduces labor precariousness that the government itself seeks to combat in the private sector. In addition, it limits access to full social security, contractual stability and real career opportunities within the public sector.
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According to experts, this situation is not less if one takes into account that it also has consequences on the quality of public service, since there cannot be a strong status with workers in fragile conditions and precariousness internal discourages merit, generates constant rotation and undermines institutional memory. ”
Among the causes of the lag are identified several, beginning with the fiscal restrictions that limit new personnel plants, fattening administrative processes, political resistance in territorial entities, and absence of an articulated strategy of public labor reform; which contrasts with the official narrative of dignification of employment and strengthening of state human talent.
Currently the progress of the National Development Plan does not reach 60%.
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It should be remembered that the National Development Plan 2022–2026, entitled “Colombiaworld power of life, ”he is committed to protecting the human right to a State with participation and transparency and that within that framework, the strengthening of public function should not only be expressed in greater coverage and institutional presence, but also in better working conditions for those who are part of the state apparatus.
The specific goals included in the Plan pointed to the formalization of 100,000 public jobs, the development of institutional capacities at the territorial level, and the labor inclusion of historically marginalized populations, such as women and people with disabilities.
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On several of these fronts there have been advances, since the participation of women in positions Directors reached 84.25%, and the linking of people with 63%disabilities. However, the cornerstone of structural change, formal and dignified employment within the State, remains pending.
Procedures, efficiency and the other face of the state
Another indicator that shows a partial advance is the rationalization of high -impact procedures; where the established goal was 2,800 shares, but the progress as of June 2025 is only 64.43% and highlights that the state transformation does not advance with the same speed on all fronts, given that while territorial coverage is extended and institutional participation, administrative efficiency and simplification of the State are extended they still fail to make a qualitative leap.
Currently the progress of the National Development Plan does not reach 60%.
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Together, the balance of the Planning and Public Front shows an ambitious effort to expand the presence and legitimacy of the State, both territorial and institutional. However, this growth has not been accompanied by an integral transformation of the working conditions of those who are part of that same public apparatus.
Thus, the risk is that the State ends up being larger but not necessarily more fair or more efficient, since if it is trained, hires alternative suppliers and strengthens municipalities, but a good part of its staff is still used in informal conditions, it has a weak basis to sustain lasting reforms.
Daniel Hernández Naranjo
Portfolio journalist
