A decrease in the unemployment rate was observed in both men and women. In the female case, it was more pronounced.

The National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) presented unemployment figures and the state of the Colombian labor market for January 2024.

The unemployment rate for the first month of the year was 12.7%, which represents a reduction of 1% compared to the same month of the previous year (13.7%), although in December 2023 it was 10%. “Normally in January we have a peak in unemployment in January,” explained Leonardo Trujillo, director in charge of DANE.

A decrease in the unemployment rate was observed in both men and women. In the female case, it was more pronounced.

Trujillo added that unemployment levels are close to 2018 and 2019, pre-pandemic. While the figure remained below 2023 and well below 2022 and 2021.

The employed population experienced growth, with an increase of 2.5% in the national total. Agriculture, livestock, hunting, forestry and fishing led the increase in the number of employed people, followed by public administration and defense; education; and human health care.

However, the Information and communications sector experienced a decrease in the number of employees. The unemployed population nationwide saw a reduction of 220 thousand people in January 2024 compared to the previous year.

The population outside the labor force also experienced changes, with an increase of 254 thousand people in January 2024 compared to the same month of the previous year.

In addition, decreases in labor informality rates were reported both nationally and in the 13 main cities and metropolitan areas.

For the national total, the preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for January 2024 was 10.4%, while in December 2023 it was 10.8%. For the 13 cities and metropolitan areas, the preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 10.1% in January 2024 and 10.7% in December 2023.