Unemployment in Colombia: Mixed signals of recovery with persistent challenges.

Unemployment in Colombia has been a constant concern, affecting more than two and a half million people, according to figures published by the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE). Despite a slight decrease of 0.2% compared to last year, the unemployment rate still stands at 10.3% of the active population. While this result may be considered stable, the country's macroeconomic indicators still do not reflect a strong recovery. In the midst of this scenario, the labor market has shown signs of improvement by incorporating 463,000 new people in May. A notable aspect has been the positive performance of the construction sector, which has been key in job creation. According to Luz Magdalena Salas, vice president of the economic think tank Anif, the correlation between economic activity and job creation in this sector is evident, as approximately 7% of employment in Colombia comes from construction. Data from the first quarter also show a growth of 16.9% in the 'civil works' sector, which has provided some hope to economists regarding a possible economic stabilization. However, experts like Andrés Álvarez warn that a full reactivation cannot yet be spoken of, but rather a process of landing from the economic crisis that has affected the country. On the other hand, in May, 'arts, entertainment, and recreation' activities stood out as one of the sectors that contributed the most to job creation. Although this data is positive, it also highlights the influence of betting houses and gambling in the labor market, raising questions about the sustainability of these activities in the long term. Informal employment remains a significant challenge in Colombia, affecting 55.6% of the workforce. The lack of formal and stable contracts in the business sector, mainly composed of micro-enterprises, hinders the transition to formal employment. The proposed labor reform has generated controversy, as some sectors believe it does not effectively address informality and new labor dynamics such as teleworking. Despite the total number of employed individuals increasing, a significant reduction in the unemployment rate has not yet materialized. According to Adrián Garlati, an economist at Javeriana University, it is expected that the year-end will not be catastrophic, but neither a cause for celebration, as economic momentum is anticipated for 2025. One of the positive aspects has been the reduction of the gender gap in the labor market, driven in part by increased female participation in the workforce. However, the situation in the commerce sector worries experts, as it has been one of the most affected sectors with the loss of 137,000 jobs in May, according to DANE data. In conclusion, the labor market in Colombia shows mixed signals of recovery, with sectors like construction and artistic activities driving job creation. However, informal employment, the situation in commerce, and the slow decrease in unemployment are challenges that still persist and will require concrete measures to achieve true economic and social stabilization in the country.