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Colombia unemployment rate falls to 8.1% in July 2026
Colombia's national unemployment rate fell to 8.1% in July 2026, a 0.7 percentage point decrease compared to 8.8% in July 2025. According to the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE), the number of employed persons rose by 578,000, reaching a total of 24.5 million. This marks the lowest unemployment rate for the month of July since 2001.
Employment growth was primarily driven by public administration, defense, education, and human health services, which added 404,000 jobs. Other contributing sectors included commerce and vehicle repair, as well as construction. Conversely, the agricultural, livestock, hunting, forestry, and fishing sector saw a significant decline, losing 204,000 jobs.
Regional data shows varied results. Medellín reported one of the lowest unemployment rates at 7.0%. In contrast, Montería saw an increase to 11.2%, partly due to the impact of floods on small entrepreneurs. Other cities with high unemployment rates included Quibdó (23.0%), Cartagena (13.6%), and Sincelejo (13.0%).
The gender gap in unemployment narrowed to 3.4 percentage points, with female unemployment at 10.1% and male unemployment at 6.7%. The national labor informality rate stood at 54.5%.
Entities
Colombia · DANE · Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística · Medellín · Montería · Quibdó · Ricardo Valencia Ramírez
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The unemployment rate in the 13 main cities and metropolitan areas was 8.5%.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The national unemployment rate in Colombia was 8.1% in July 2026. 360radio.com.co
- [● 2 SOURCES] The public administration, defense, education, and health sector added 404,000 jobs. 360radio.com.co
- [● 2 SOURCES] The number of employed persons increased by 578,000 to a total of 24.5 million. 360radio.com.co
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The national informality rate stands at 54.5%.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The unemployment rate decreased by 0.7 percentage points compared to July 2025. 360radio.com.co
- [● 2 SOURCES] The agriculture sector lost 204,000 workers compared to July 2025. 360radio.com.co
- [● 2 SOURCES] The unemployment rate for women was 10.1% and for men was 6.7%. 360radio.com.co