Cartagena's Employment Challenge
On the eve of Labor Day, there's a figure worth looking at closely: in Cartagena today, more people are employed than a year ago.
TL;DR
- Cartagena's employment grew by 4% in the last quarter of 2025, with over 418,000 people engaged in economic activity.
- The employment rate reached 56.7%, still below the national average of 58.6%.
- 53% of employed individuals work for themselves, while only 36% are private employees.
- 49.6% of productive units operate informally.
- The underemployment rate is 9.1%, exceeding the national rate of 7.3%.
- 57% of employment is concentrated in commerce, transport, and public services.
- The focus is shifting from the quantity of jobs to the quality of employment, considering productivity, stability, and growth opportunities.