Chile Unemployment Edges Higher

Chile’s unemployment rate eased to 8% in the October–December 2025 quarter, returning to the same level as in the three months to January and down 0.1 percentage points from a year earlier. This came as the labour force grew 1.8%, matching the 1.8% increase in employment, while the number of unemployed people rose 1.4%. The jobless rate eased for both genders, reaching 8.5% for women and 7.7% for men. The participation and employment rate increased to 62.1% and 57.1%, respectively. Employment growth was led by administrative services, accommodation and food services, and health activities. The population outside the labour force fell 0.5% over twelve months, driven mainly by a 1.2% decline in the habitually inactive population. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 8.5%.

Chile’s unemployment rate stood at 8.4% in the September–November 2025 quarter, up 0.2 pp year-on-year, as labor force growth (1.5%) exceeded employment growth (1.2%). The number of unemployed rose 4.0%, driven by layoffs and first-time job seekers. Male unemployment increased to 8.1% (+0.6 pp), while female unemployment eased to 8.8% (-0.3 pp). On a seasonally adjusted basis, unemployment rose 0.2 pp to 8.6%.

Chile’s unemployment rate was 8.4% for August–October 2025, down 0.2 percentage points from last year due to employment growth (1.5%) outpacing labor force growth (1.3%). Participation and employment rates rose to 61.9% and 56.7%. Women’s unemployment fell to 8.8%, while men’s slightly increased to 8.2%. Employment gains were led by services, health, and transport, mostly in formal jobs. Informal employment fell to 26.2%, driven by reductions in commerce, manufacturing, and self-employment. Average hours worked increased to 36.5 per week. The combined underutilization rate was 16.4%, with a gender gap of 4.6 pp. In the Metropolitan Region, unemployment dropped to 8.6% with employment rising 2.1%, led by administrative and information services.