Unemployment in Colombia hits 12.1%

Colombia’s unemployment rate hit 12.1% in May, up from 11.7% in the same month in 2009, according to figures from national statistics agency DANE.

Whilst around 19 million Colombians are currently in work, it is estimated that 2.6 million are unemployed.

According to the report, Pereira continues to be the Colombian city with the highest unemployment rate at 21.3%. Other cities with high levels of unemployment include Armenia, with 18.7%; Santa Marta, 7.7%; Barranquilla, 7.8%; and Bogota, with 11%. Of the 24 cities listed, the average rate was 12.4 %.

For Carlos Sepulveda, DANE’s deputy director, the registered unemployment figures in May “are in line with economic performance in different sectors.”