Recent Trends in Youth Labor Informality in the Barranquilla Metropolitan Area (2021–2025)

Labor informality remains one of the main challenges facing young people as they seek to build stable and sustainable career paths. While access to employment is a significant concern, the quality of available opportunities and the conditions under which young people enter the labor market are equally important.

Drawing on data from DANE’s Integrated Household Survey (GEIH), the publication examines how levels of informality among young people have changed over time, which groups are most affected, and the factors associated with this condition. The analysis provides valuable insights into youth labor market dynamics and the barriers that limit access to formal, quality employment.

In this report, you will find:

• An overview of the recent youth labor market in the Barranquilla Metropolitan Area.

• Trends in labor informality between 2021 and 2025.

• Analysis by age, sex, educational attainment, and economic sector.

• Findings on the relationship between self-employment and informality.

• Evidence on the barriers affecting young people’s transition into formal employment.

• Recommendations to strengthen programs, policies, and initiatives aimed at improving youth employment opportunities.

This report is intended for public institutions, civil society organizations, private sector actors, educational institutions, and others interested in promoting better labor opportunities for young people.

Understanding the dynamics of youth labor informality is essential for designing strategies that facilitate access to quality employment and contribute to the economic and social development of the region.

Recent Trends in Youth Labor Informality in the Barranquilla Metropolitan Area (2021–2025)