Colombia | September: Unemployment Rate Remains at Historic Lows

Summary

National unemployment in September was 8.2%, the lowest for a September in 24 years. Seasonally adjusted, the rate was 8.8%, remaining low. Versus August, the sharp decline was driven mainly by stronger job creation, with employment up 3.1%.

Key points

• Key points:
• Employed persons reached 23.8 million, up 123 thousand vs. August and 714 thousand y/y. Wage employment rose 4.4%, outpacing non-wage employment at 1.8%. Informality fell to 54.5%, though the 2025 average remains high near 55.7%.
• Private-sector employees contributed 473 thousand jobs; informality dipped to 54.5%, while the 2025 average remains near 55.7%.
• Beneath the upbeat labor prints lie structural concerns: persistent informality and women exiting the labor force to engage in unpaid household work.
• Gains were concentrated among women and people aged 25–54. Women added 529 thousand jobs; the 25–54 cohort added 505 thousand (398 thousand female, 107 thousand male).

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