Colombia Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Colombia's unemployment rate was 8.29% in 2025, ranked 131st globally. This represents a 18.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2025.
Overview
Colombia's unemployment rate stood at 8.29% in 2025, a decline of +1.85pp from 2024. The IMF projects 10.00% by 2025. Colombia ranked 131st globally.
Colombia's unemployment rate has exhibited significant fluctuations over the past 46 years, with the all-time peak occurring in 2000 at 20.52%, and the all-time trough also in 1980 at 5.43%. The unemployment rate has trended upward since then, with the latest available data indicating a rate of 8.29% in 2025, placing Colombia at #131 globally. This current rate is comparable to that of Suriname, which has an unemployment rate of 7.83%, and slightly higher than Iran, Islamic Republic of, at 8.30%. Notably, Colombia's unemployment rate has surpassed that of developed economies such as France, with an unemployment rate of 7.54%. The persistent decline in employment opportunities may be attributed to the country's ongoing economic challenges and structural issues. A potential shift in government policies and investments in education and job training programs could alter the trajectory of Colombia's unemployment rate, potentially leading to a more stable and competitive labor market.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 9.40% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 9.40% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 9.50% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 9.60% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 9.80% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 10.00% | - | - |
| 2025 | 8.29% | −1.85pp | #131 |
| 2024 | 9.62% | −0.54pp | #149 |
| 2023 | 9.59% | −1.63pp | #149 |
| 2022 | 10.54% | −3.25pp | #150 |
| 2021 | 13.90% | −2.78pp | #160 |
| 2020 | 15.98% | +5.11pp | #170 |
| 2019 | 10.28% | +0.33pp | #145 |
| 2018 | 9.36% | −0.30pp | #143 |
| 2017 | 9.09% | −0.46pp | #135 |
| 2016 | 8.92% | −0.28pp | #131 |
| 2015 | 8.57% | −0.83pp | #124 |
| 2014 | 8.80% | −1.08pp | #127 |
| 2013 | 9.25% | −1.37pp | #128 |
| 2012 | 9.96% | −1.09pp | #132 |
| 2011 | 10.29% | −1.70pp | #138 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Colombia matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2023. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Colombia's unemployment rate was 8.29% in 2025. Ranked 131st globally. This represents a 18.3% decrease from the previous year.
Colombia's unemployment rate peaked at 20.52% in 2000.
The lowest unemployment rate in Colombia was 5.43% in 1980.
Colombia ranks 131st globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Colombia's unemployment rate is projected to reach 10.00% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The unemployment rate of Colombia in 2025 was 8.29%. This ranks 131st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_colombia_unemployment-rate,
title = {Colombia Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/colombia/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}