Economy, jobs and prices in Colon, Panama: official figures
The unemployment rate in Colon was 10.3% of the labour force in October 2024, 0.8 pp higher than the national figure (9.5%) and 3rd highest of 13 provinces and comarcas.
Is unemployment rising in Colon?
In Colon the unemployment rate fell from 10.4% in August 2023 to 10.3% in October 2024 (-0.1 points); nationally it went from 7.4% to 9.5%.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadistica y Censo (INEC), Contraloria General de la Republica de Panama · saved copyHow many people are in the labour force in Colon?
135,220 of the 225,274 people aged 15 and over in Colon were in the labour force in October 2024, a participation rate of 60.0% against 63.3% nationally (4th lowest of 13 provinces and comarcas).
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadistica y Censo (INEC), Contraloria General de la Republica de Panama · saved copyHow many people are employed in Colon?
In October 2024 121,252 people were employed in Colon, 53.8% of everyone aged 15 and over, compared with 57.3% nationally (the lowest of 13 provinces and comarcas).
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadistica y Censo (INEC), Contraloria General de la Republica de Panama · saved copyIs unemployment higher for women than men in Colon?
In October 2024 unemployment in Colon was 8.1% among men and 13.3% among women, an overall rate of 10.3%.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadistica y Censo (INEC), Contraloria General de la Republica de Panama · saved copyWhat is the open unemployment rate in Colon?
Open unemployment (people who searched for work and were available) was 9.0% of the labour force in Colon in October 2024, against 7.8% nationally; the rest of the 10.3% unemployment rate is hidden unemployment, such as people who stopped looking.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadistica y Censo (INEC), Contraloria General de la Republica de Panama · saved copyHow Colon compares with other provinces
Unemployment rate (% of labour force) (October 2024)
Colon ranks 2 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate (% of labour force) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Panama | 12.4% |
| 2 | Colon | 10.3% |
| 3 | Chiriqui | 9.0% |
| 4 | Veraguas | 7.1% |
| 5 | Bocas Del Toro | 6.7% |
| 6 | Cocle | 5.8% |
| 7 | Darien | 4.8% |
Labour force participation rate (age 15+) (October 2024)
Colon ranks 9 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Labour force participation rate (age 15+) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Panama | 63.6% |
| 7 | Chiriqui | 61.6% |
| 8 | Los Santos | 60.9% |
| 9 | Colon | 60.0% |
| 10 | Kuna Yala | 59.9% |
| 11 | Veraguas | 59.7% |
| 12 | Herrera | 58.5% |
Employed people as % of population aged 15+ (October 2024)
Colon ranks 12 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Employed people as % of population aged 15+ |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Los Santos | 59.3% |
| 7 | Kuna Yala | 58.4% |
| 8 | Herrera | 56.6% |
| 9 | Chiriqui | 56.1% |
| 10 | Panama | 55.7% |
| 11 | Veraguas | 55.5% |
| 12 | Colon | 53.8% |
Invisible underemployment (% of employed) (October 2024)
Colon ranks 4 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Invisible underemployment (% of employed) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kuna Yala | 29.7% |
| 2 | Darien | 19.0% |
| 3 | Embera | 15.7% |
| 4 | Colon | 15.0% |
| 5 | Herrera | 13.7% |
| 6 | Ngabe Bugle | 12.8% |
| 7 | Veraguas | 12.8% |
More on Colon: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · Panama
Sources
- Instituto Nacional de Estadistica y Censo (INEC), Contraloria General de la Republica de Panama: Encuesta de Mercado Laboral, agosto 2023 y octubre 2024, Cuadro 2: poblacion de 15 y mas anos por condicion de actividad economica, provincia y comarca, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 49e795f2161c…)
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