The National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) He has published significant data on the unemployment rate in Colombia, highlighting that by December 2024, the rate was 9.1%, the lowest figure since 2017. Know what are the areas that still have a challenge to face in the work world and with the highest unemployment rates.
Colombia is going through a process where priority is set to promote a more inclusive and sustainable labor market. The decrease in the unemployment rate at levels prior to pandemic is a positive indicative for the country’s economy and also hopeful. However, there are cities where there is a lot to do.
The cities with the highest unemployment rates were:
Arauca: 31.0%
Quibdó: 27.6%
Mocoa: 26.3%
In contrast, cities with the lowest rates included:
Leticia: 3.8%
Inírida: 7.1%
Mitú: 7.6%
As for the cities with the highest unemployment index in the young population we find:
Quibdó (39.9 %)
Riohacha (24.5 %)
Barranquilla, AM (23.1 %)
On the contrary, the cities with lower unemployment rates were:
Villavicencio (11.2 %)
Bucaramanga AM (12.2%)
Medellín AM (12.7 %)
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How much is the unemployment rate by gender in Colombia?
Unemployment in Colombia: Dane’s official figures
Source: Istock
In general, in the case of the employed population, all geographical domains presented growth. At the national level, the employed population increased significantly by 756 thousand people compared to the previous year.
However, the issue of employment and gender remains a major challenge for women, with a 11.9% rate compared to 7% for men, reflecting a 4.9 percentage points.
However, this difference was reduced to 3.3 points in the 13 main cities and metropolitan areas.
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What measures are being taken in Colombia to promote employment?
1. Economic incentives to employers: This strategy seeks to promote the creation and permanence of formal jobs through economic subsidies for employers who expand their payroll.
2. Focus on vulnerable populations: Additional benefits are also granted for employers hired by people with disabilities, Afro -descendants, indigenous people, peasants and members of the LGBTIQ+community.
3. Labor training: Technical and professional training programs have been promoted to improve labor competences, especially in strategic sectors.
4. Salary subsidies: The government has partially subsidized salaries in sectors affected by recent economic crises.
5. Labor reform: The labor reform in Colombia represents a significant effort on the part of the government to improve working conditions, reduce working hours and formalize employment.
