Unemployment Rate: Colombia
Colombia's unemployment rate is currently 9.8% as of 2026. # Colombia Unemployment Rate Colombia's unemployment rate stands at 9.
Current (2026)
9.8%
-2.0% y/y
Peak (2020)
16.7%
Low (1994)
4.9%
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
1980–2026 · 51 pts
Unemployment Rate — Colombia
1980 — 2026
Unemployment Rate — Colombia
Analysis# Colombia Unemployment Rate
Colombia's unemployment rate stands at 9.8% in 2026, representing a steady recovery from its devastating peak of 16.7% in 2020. The current figure remains elevated compared to the all-time low of 4.9% recorded in 1994, yet reflects meaningful improvement over the past five years. Since 1980, Colombia's unemployment has climbed 81.5% overall, indicating structural challenges in labor market stability despite recent progress.
The 2020 spike coincided with pandemic-driven economic disruption, followed by consistent annual declines through 2026. Between 2020 and 2026, the rate fell 6.9 percentage points—evidence of sustained recovery momentum. The trajectory from 2021 onward (13.8% → 9.8%) demonstrates labor market tightening, with projections suggesting continued gradual improvement if current economic conditions hold.
Historical Data
51 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 9.4% | +0.00% |
| 2029 | 9.4% | -1.05% |
| 2028 | 9.5% | -1.04% |
| 2027 | 9.6% | -2.04% |
| 2026 | 9.8% | -2.00% |
| 2025 | 10.0% | -0.99% |
| 2024 | 10.1% | -0.98% |
| 2023 | 10.2% | -8.93% |
| 2022 | 11.2% | -18.84% |
| 2021 | 13.8% | -17.37% |
| 2020 | 16.7% | +53.21% |
| 2019 | 10.9% | +9.00% |
| 2018 | 10.0% | +3.09% |
| 2017 | 9.7% | +1.04% |
| 2016 | 9.6% | +4.35% |
| 2015 | 9.2% | -2.13% |
| 2014 | 9.4% | -5.05% |
| 2013 | 9.9% | -6.60% |
| 2012 | 10.6% | -4.50% |
| 2011 | 11.1% | -7.50% |
Show all 51 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 12.0% | -1.64% |
| 2009 | 12.2% | +7.96% |
| 2008 | 11.3% | +0.89% |
| 2007 | 11.2% | -6.67% |
| 2006 | 12.0% | +1.69% |
| 2005 | 11.8% | -13.87% |
| 2004 | 13.7% | -2.84% |
| 2003 | 14.1% | -9.62% |
| 2002 | 15.6% | +4.00% |
| 2001 | 15.0% | +12.78% |
| 2000 | 13.3% | +1.53% |
| 1999 | 13.1% | +35.05% |
| 1998 | 9.7% | +22.78% |
| 1997 | 7.9% | +1.28% |
| 1996 | 7.8% | +39.29% |
| 1995 | 5.6% | +14.29% |
| 1994 | 4.9% | -2.00% |
| 1993 | 5.0% | -15.25% |
| 1992 | 5.9% | -7.81% |
| 1991 | 6.4% | -3.03% |
| 1990 | 6.6% | -2.94% |
| 1989 | 6.8% | +4.62% |
| 1988 | 6.5% | -12.16% |
| 1987 | 7.4% | -3.90% |
| 1986 | 7.7% | -11.49% |
| 1985 | 8.7% | -3.33% |
| 1984 | 9.0% | +3.45% |
| 1983 | 8.7% | +22.54% |
| 1982 | 7.1% | +7.58% |
| 1981 | 6.6% | +22.22% |
| 1980 | 5.4% | — |
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