## Labor Force Participation in Colombia

_Selected Issues Papers, November 25, 2025_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Labor Force Participation in Colombia](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/selected-issues-papers/issues/2025/11/25/labor-force-participation-in-colombia-572096)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/selected-issues-papers/issues/2025/11/25/labor-force-participation-in-colombia-572096/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/selected-issues-papers/issues/2025/11/25/labor-force-participation-in-colombia-572096/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/publications/selected-issues-papers/issues/2025/11/25/labor-force-participation-in-colombia-572096/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Authors: Marco Arena, Camila Casas, Roberto Perrelli
- Published: November 25, 2025
- Series: Selected Issues Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9798229030342.018

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### Summary
- Colombia’s labor force participation (LFP) showed a steady and gradual decline for both men and women between 2012 and 2019.
- This trend contrasts with rising LFP in regional peers.
- The paper assesses the factors behind LFP dynamics in Colombia to inform policy options for boosting participation and supporting Colombia’s long-term growth, against the headwinds from slowing birthrates and population aging.

### Key findings and themes
- Decline in LFP for both men and women between 2012 and 2019.
- Contrast with rising LFP in regional peers.
- Analysis focused on factors driving LFP dynamics to guide policy responses.
- Long-term growth considerations emphasized in the context of demographic headwinds: slowing birthrates and population aging.

### Policy relevance and implications
- The paper aims to inform policy options for boosting labor force participation.
- Policy orientation is toward supporting Colombia’s long-term growth while addressing demographic challenges (slowing birthrates and population aging).
- Target audiences include policymakers concerned with labor, gender, migration, population and demographics, and long-term growth strategies.

### Subjects and keywords (as listed)
- Subject: Gender, Gender diversity, Labor, Labor force, Labor force participation, Migration, Population and demographics, Women
- Keywords: Colombia's labor force participation, demographic transition, female employment, Gender diversity, gender gap, IMF country, IMF staff, issues paper, Labor force, Labor force participation, long-term growth, Migration, Venezuelan migration, Women

### Document context
- ByMarco Arena, Camila Casas, Roberto Perrelli
- November 25, 2025
- Series: Selected Issues Paper No. 2025/146
- Pages: 12

*Source: International Monetary Fund — "Labor Force Participation in Colombia" (Selected Issues Papers, November 25, 2025).*

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## Content in this bundle

- **Labor Force Participation in Colombia; IMF Selected Issues Paper No. 2025/146; September 15, 2025**
  - [Labor Force Participation in Colombia; IMF Selected Issues Paper No. 2025/146; September 15, 2025 (Markdown version)](/-/media/files/publications/selected-issues-papers/2025/english/sipea2025146.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"}
  - [Labor Force Participation in Colombia; IMF Selected Issues Paper No. 2025/146; September 15, 2025 (PDF)](/-/media/files/publications/selected-issues-papers/2025/english/sipea2025146.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/selected-issues-papers/issues/2025/11/25/labor-force-participation-in-colombia-572096_