Employment-to-population ratio — all countries

Employment-to-population ratio — South America

Employment-to-population ratio in South America in 2025 — 59.71%. Since 1991, the indicator has risen by 0.62 pp.

2025 59.71% +0.29 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 61.22%2008
Period minimum 53.12%2020

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of population aged 15+

Employment-to-population ratio — South America, 1991–202552.55557.56062.519911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 59.09%1992: 59.37%1993: 59.97%1994: 59.84%1995: 59.43%1996: 58.19%1997: 58.71%1998: 58.5%1999: 57.61%2000: 57.43%2001: 58.08%2002: 58.01%2003: 58.41%2004: 59.44%2005: 60.1%2006: 60.74%2007: 60.89%2008: 61.22%2009: 60.98%2010: 60.94%2011: 60.86%2012: 60.88%2013: 60.67%2014: 60.54%2015: 60.07%2016: 58.96%2017: 58.73%2018: 58.75%2019: 58.76%2020: 53.12%2021: 55.95%2022: 58.64%2023: 58.92%2024: 59.42%2025: 59.71%
Change over the period: +0.62 pp Annual average: 0.02 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: South America

South America 59.71%
World 58.06%
Employment-to-population ratio — South America, by year South America All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 59.71 +0.29 pp
2024 59.42 +0.49 pp
2023 58.92 +0.29 pp
2022 58.64 +2.69 pp
2021 55.95 +2.83 pp
2020 53.12 −5.64 pp
2019 58.76 +0.01 pp
2018 58.75 +0.01 pp
2017 58.73 −0.23 pp
2016 58.96 −1.1 pp
2015 60.07 −0.47 pp
2014 60.54 −0.14 pp
2013 60.67 −0.21 pp
2012 60.88 +0.02 pp
2011 60.86 −0.07 pp
2010 60.94 −0.05 pp
2009 60.98 −0.24 pp
2008 61.22 +0.33 pp
2007 60.89 +0.15 pp
2006 60.74 +0.64 pp
2005 60.1 +0.66 pp
2004 59.44 +1.03 pp
2003 58.41 +0.39 pp
2002 58.01 −0.07 pp
2001 58.08 +0.65 pp
2000 57.43 −0.18 pp
1999 57.61 −0.89 pp
1998 58.5 −0.21 pp
1997 58.71 +0.53 pp
1996 58.19 −1.24 pp
1995 59.43 −0.41 pp
1994 59.84 −0.13 pp
1993 59.97 +0.59 pp
1992 59.37 +0.29 pp
1991 59.09

About the indicator

The ratio of the employed to the population aged 15 and over. Unlike the unemployment rate it does not depend on whether a person is looking for work, so it captures the actual involvement of the population in the economy better. Employment and unemployment together give the full picture: low unemployment alongside low employment means mass withdrawal from the labor force.

Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.