Economy, jobs and prices in Los Santos, Panama: official figures
The unemployment rate in Los Santos was 2.7% of the labour force in October 2024, 6.8 pp lower than the national figure (9.5%) and 3rd lowest of 13 provinces and comarcas.
Is unemployment rising in Los Santos?
In Los Santos the unemployment rate rose from 2.5% in August 2023 to 2.7% in October 2024 (+0.2 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 Los Santos?
54,915 of the 90,175 people aged 15 and over in Los Santos were in the labour force in October 2024, a participation rate of 60.9% against 63.3% nationally (5th 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 Los Santos?
In October 2024 53,432 people were employed in Los Santos, 59.3% of everyone aged 15 and over, compared with 57.3% nationally (6th 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 Los Santos?
In October 2024 unemployment in Los Santos was 1.7% among men and 4.3% among women, an overall rate of 2.7%.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadistica y Censo (INEC), Contraloria General de la Republica de Panama · saved copyWhat is the open unemployment rate in Los Santos?
Open unemployment (people who searched for work and were available) was 2.3% of the labour force in Los Santos in October 2024, against 7.8% nationally; the rest of the 2.7% 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 Los Santos compares with other provinces
Unemployment rate (% of labour force) (October 2024)
Los Santos ranks 10 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)
Los Santos ranks 8 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Labour force participation rate (age 15+) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Bocas Del Toro | 68.1% |
| 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% |
Employed people as % of population aged 15+ (October 2024)
Los Santos ranks 6 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Employed people as % of population aged 15+ |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Darien | 66.8% |
| 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% |
Invisible underemployment (% of employed) (October 2024)
Los Santos ranks 12 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Invisible underemployment (% of employed) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Ngabe Bugle | 12.8% |
| 7 | Veraguas | 12.8% |
| 8 | Chiriqui | 12.2% |
| 9 | Cocle | 12.1% |
| 10 | Bocas Del Toro | 12.0% |
| 11 | Panama | 10.5% |
| 12 | Los Santos | 9.4% |
More on Los Santos: 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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