Economy, jobs and prices in Kuna Yala, Panama: official figures
The unemployment rate in Kuna Yala was 2.5% of the labour force in October 2024, 7.0 pp lower than the national figure (9.5%) and 2nd lowest of 13 provinces and comarcas.
Is unemployment rising in Kuna Yala?
In Kuna Yala the unemployment rate rose from 0.0% in August 2023 to 2.5% in October 2024 (+2.5 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 Kuna Yala?
12,978 of the 21,672 people aged 15 and over in Kuna Yala were in the labour force in October 2024, a participation rate of 59.9% against 63.3% nationally (3rd 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 Kuna Yala?
In October 2024 12,648 people were employed in Kuna Yala, 58.4% of everyone aged 15 and over, compared with 57.3% nationally (7th 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 Kuna Yala?
In October 2024 unemployment in Kuna Yala was 3.1% among men and 1.8% among women, an overall rate of 2.5%.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadistica y Censo (INEC), Contraloria General de la Republica de Panama · saved copyWhat is the open unemployment rate in Kuna Yala?
Open unemployment (people who searched for work and were available) was 0.6% of the labour force in Kuna Yala in October 2024, against 7.8% nationally; the rest of the 2.5% 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 Kuna Yala compares with other provinces
Unemployment rate (% of labour force) (October 2024)
Kuna Yala ranks 11 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate (% of labour force) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Cocle | 5.8% |
| 7 | Darien | 4.8% |
| 8 | Herrera | 3.3% |
| 9 | Embera | 2.9% |
| 10 | Los Santos | 2.7% |
| 11 | Kuna Yala | 2.5% |
| 12 | Ngabe Bugle | 2.4% |
Labour force participation rate (age 15+) (October 2024)
Kuna Yala ranks 10 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)
Kuna Yala ranks 7 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Employed people as % of population aged 15+ |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Cocle | 65.2% |
| 5 | Bocas Del Toro | 63.6% |
| 6 | Los Santos | 59.3% |
| 7 | Kuna Yala | 58.4% |
| 8 | Herrera | 56.6% |
| 9 | Chiriqui | 56.1% |
| 10 | Panama | 55.7% |
Invisible underemployment (% of employed) (October 2024)
Kuna Yala ranks 1 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 Kuna Yala: 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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