According to data released by Ecuador’s National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC), the country’s unemployment rate reached 3.2% in May 2023, representing a slight decrease from the 3.7% rate recorded in the same month of the previous year.
Analyzing the figures by area, urban unemployment stood at 4.1%, while rural areas reported a lower rate of 1.5%.
The report also highlighted gender disparities in unemployment, with women experiencing a higher rate than men.
Nationally, 4.0% of women in the economically active population were unemployed, while the rate for men was 2.7%.
The 1.3 percentage point difference between male and female unemployment rates was statistically significant, according to INEC.
Regarding overall labor market participation, the data showed a national participation rate of 63.5%.
Adequate employment accounted for 36.4% of the labor force.
Underemployment stood at 18.9%, other non-full employment accounted for 30.6%, unpaid employment was 10.7%, and unclassified employment represented 0.3%.
Underemployment, a significant indicator for labor market analysis, decreased to 18.9% at the national level, a 3.2% decline compared to May 2022.
Urban underemployment reached 18.0%, while rural areas reported a slightly higher rate of 20.6%.
In terms of employment status, 43.2% of employed individuals were in the formal sector, while 53.3% were in the informal sector.
Domestic employment and unclassified categories accounted for 3.6% of total employment.
INEC defined informal employment as working in productive units with fewer than 100 workers and lacking a Single Taxpayers Registry (RUC).
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