Economy, jobs and prices in Darien, Panama: official figures
The unemployment rate in Darien was 4.8% of the labour force in October 2024, 4.7 pp lower than the national figure (9.5%) and 6th lowest of 13 provinces and comarcas.
Is unemployment rising in Darien?
In Darien the unemployment rate rose from 2.0% in August 2023 to 4.8% in October 2024 (+2.9 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 Darien?
28,258 of the 40,261 people aged 15 and over in Darien were in the labour force in October 2024, a participation rate of 70.2% against 63.3% nationally (3rd highest 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 Darien?
In October 2024 26,897 people were employed in Darien, 66.8% of everyone aged 15 and over, compared with 57.3% nationally (3rd highest 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 Darien?
In October 2024 unemployment in Darien was 2.3% among men and 9.5% among women, an overall rate of 4.8%.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadistica y Censo (INEC), Contraloria General de la Republica de Panama · saved copyWhat is the open unemployment rate in Darien?
Open unemployment (people who searched for work and were available) was 3.9% of the labour force in Darien in October 2024, against 7.8% nationally; the rest of the 4.8% 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 Darien compares with other provinces
Unemployment rate (% of labour force) (October 2024)
Darien ranks 7 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate (% of labour force) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Veraguas | 7.1% |
| 5 | Bocas Del Toro | 6.7% |
| 6 | Cocle | 5.8% |
| 7 | Darien | 4.8% |
| 8 | Herrera | 3.3% |
| 9 | Embera | 2.9% |
| 10 | Los Santos | 2.7% |
Labour force participation rate (age 15+) (October 2024)
Darien ranks 3 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Labour force participation rate (age 15+) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Embera | 81.5% |
| 2 | Ngabe Bugle | 75.4% |
| 3 | Darien | 70.2% |
| 4 | Cocle | 69.2% |
| 5 | Bocas Del Toro | 68.1% |
| 6 | Panama | 63.6% |
| 7 | Chiriqui | 61.6% |
Employed people as % of population aged 15+ (October 2024)
Darien ranks 3 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Employed people as % of population aged 15+ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Embera | 79.1% |
| 2 | Ngabe Bugle | 73.5% |
| 3 | Darien | 66.8% |
| 4 | Cocle | 65.2% |
| 5 | Bocas Del Toro | 63.6% |
| 6 | Los Santos | 59.3% |
| 7 | Kuna Yala | 58.4% |
Invisible underemployment (% of employed) (October 2024)
Darien ranks 2 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 Darien: 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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