Colombia announced today the unemployment figures for November, which continue the downward trend seen throughout the year. November closed with an unemployment rate of 7%, the lowest recorded for this month since the historical series began in 2001.
The data, released by the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE), show a sustained improvement in the incorporation of workers into the labor market compared with the same month last year, when unemployment stood at 8.2%.
This decline reflects not only the creation of new jobs but also greater participation by the working-age population actively seeking employment. The overall participation rate stood at 64.7%, while the employment rate reached 60.2%, indicators that point to greater dynamism in the labor market, although challenges persist within the national productive structure.
With this figure, the South American country closes a successful 2025 economically, with the sole drawback of inflation, which is expected to end December at around 5.1%, but with excellent macroeconomic results, despite the structural weaknesses of a developing market.
Colombia’s November unemployment hits lowest level since 2001
Official data from DANE highlight that the number of employed people in Colombia reached 24.6 million in November, nearly 1 million more than at the end of 2024, evidencing a pace of job growth that exceeds the expectations of various economic analysts, including those who predicted the opposite outcome when — as happened this year — the government decreed a minimum wage increase far above inflation.
This labor expansion reflects the country’s capacity to absorb both those who were already active in the labor force and new participants seeking employment. Nevertheless, although unemployment has declined, the traditional informality in the labor market remains high, with more than 55% of workers engaged in occupations outside formal employment.
This phenomenon represents the main challenge for public policy, which must balance efforts to promote formalization with the generation of lasting and protected job opportunities.
The DANE report also reveals disparities when the data are broken down by gender. The unemployment rate for men was substantially lower than for women, although the gap between the two indicators narrowed compared to previous periods, reaching its lowest level since records began.
This reduction can be seen as progress in terms of labor equity, but it does not eliminate the structural barriers that women still face in accessing quality, well-paid jobs.
The narrowing of the gender gap in unemployment is a positive point within a context in which women have historically had higher jobless rates and lower participation in sectors with greater job stability. However, experts note that this progress must be accompanied by policies that foster equal opportunities and reduce existing wage gaps.
¡El dato del día! 📉 En noviembre de 2025, la tasa de desocupación se ubicó en 7,0%, una variación estadísticamente significativa frente a noviembre de 2024, cuando fue del 8,2%.
📌 En la serie histórica, tasas de desocupación similares al 7,0% a nivel nacional no se registraban… pic.twitter.com/JeHAWNTUGB
— DANE Colombia (@DANE_Colombia) December 30, 2025
Sectors driving job creation
Sector-by-sector analysis suggests that certain segments of the economy have been key drivers of job creation. Agriculture and fishing, accommodation and food services, as well as construction, stood out for posting significant increases in the number of employed people in November. These areas absorbed a large share of the additional labor force and contributed to the decline in the country’s unemployment rate.
By contrast, the manufacturing industry experienced a drop in employment levels, highlighting the uneven nature of the labor market recovery across productive sectors. This divergence poses challenges for economic policymakers, who must balance incentives for expanding sectors with strategies to strengthen those that are lagging.
At the territorial level, the figures show marked contrasts. Some cities, such as Manizales and Villavicencio, post unemployment rates below the national average, while others, such as Quibdo and Cartagena, face persistent difficulties, with rates well above the average. This regional disparity underscores the need for differentiated employment approaches that address the specific realities of each territory.
Looking ahead, maintaining this trend of lower unemployment will be a challenge amid an uncertain global economic environment, inflationary pressures, and adjustments to labor and social policies. Striking a balance between economic growth, labor formalization, and regional and gender equity will be key to sustaining the positive figures seen in November and translating them into lasting well-being for the population.