Colombia’s youth unemployment rate fell to 14.1 percent in the May-July rolling quarter, declining by 0.9 percentage points compared to the same period in 2025, according to the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE). The youth employment rate rose by 1.3 percentage points over the same interval to reach 47.9 percent, up from 46.6 percent in the May-July 2025 period, while the overall participation rate for youth climbed by 1.0 percentage point to 55.8 percent.
Sectors driving youth employment
Total employed youth reached 5.34 million persons during the May-July period, with the employed youth population increasing by 147,600 persons up to July. Private sector salaried positions represented the bulk of jobs, with 3.02 million young people working as private laborers and employees to account for 56.6 percent of the total employed youth. Another 1.73 million persons were self-employed workers, making up 33.4 percent of youth employment.
By economic sector, trade and vehicle repair absorbed the largest portion of workers, accounting for 18.3 percent of employed youth. Agriculture, hunting, forestry, and fishing engaged 14.4 percent. Public administration, education, and health contributed 0.8 percentage points to employment growth during the rolling quarter.
Inactive youth cohort
The statistical agency also counted 2.29 million young people who neither study nor work. This group, classified as ninis, accounted for 20.6 percent of the working-age population aged 15 to 28 during the May-July window. Women comprised 1.57 million of the cohort. Men accounted for 723,000 persons.
Source: National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) | Data: FRED — St. Louis Fed
