Vulnerable employment — all countries

Vulnerable employment — Central America

Vulnerable employment in Central America in 2025 — 27.75%. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 9.19 pp.

2025 27.75% −0.05 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 37.36%1993
Period minimum 27.73%2016

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of employment

Vulnerable employment — Central America, 1991–202527.53032.53537.519911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 36.93%1992: 36.74%1993: 37.36%1994: 36.33%1995: 34.84%1996: 33.61%1997: 34.42%1998: 32.76%1999: 32.61%2000: 30.94%2001: 31.16%2002: 31.24%2003: 31.3%2004: 30.93%2005: 30.9%2006: 29.96%2007: 29.69%2008: 29.16%2009: 30.15%2010: 29.5%2011: 29.07%2012: 29.28%2013: 29.25%2014: 28.6%2015: 28.53%2016: 27.73%2017: 27.96%2018: 27.9%2019: 27.76%2020: 28.58%2021: 29.71%2022: 29.29%2023: 28.37%2024: 27.8%2025: 27.75%
Change over the period: −9.19 pp Annual average: -0.27 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Central America 27.75%
World 42.38%
Vulnerable employment — Central America, by year Central America All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 27.75 −0.05 pp
2024 27.8 −0.57 pp
2023 28.37 −0.93 pp
2022 29.29 −0.41 pp
2021 29.71 +1.12 pp
2020 28.58 +0.83 pp
2019 27.76 −0.15 pp
2018 27.9 −0.06 pp
2017 27.96 +0.23 pp
2016 27.73 −0.81 pp
2015 28.53 −0.06 pp
2014 28.6 −0.65 pp
2013 29.25 −0.03 pp
2012 29.28 +0.2 pp
2011 29.07 −0.42 pp
2010 29.5 −0.66 pp
2009 30.15 +0.99 pp
2008 29.16 −0.52 pp
2007 29.69 −0.27 pp
2006 29.96 −0.94 pp
2005 30.9 −0.03 pp
2004 30.93 −0.37 pp
2003 31.3 +0.06 pp
2002 31.24 +0.08 pp
2001 31.16 +0.22 pp
2000 30.94 −1.68 pp
1999 32.61 −0.15 pp
1998 32.76 −1.65 pp
1997 34.42 +0.8 pp
1996 33.61 −1.22 pp
1995 34.84 −1.49 pp
1994 36.33 −1.03 pp
1993 37.36 +0.62 pp
1992 36.74 −0.19 pp
1991 36.93

About the indicator

The share of own-account workers and contributing family workers in total employment. The ILO devised the category as a substitute for informal employment where informality is not measured: such workers usually have no employment contract, no social insurance and no protection against dismissal, and their income depends directly on what they produce. In the poorest countries this share exceeds three quarters of the employed — wage work there is closer to an exception.

Important: Not the same as informal employment: an employee without a contract does not fall into this category, though they are no better protected. The indicator understates informality in countries where off-the-books hiring is widespread.

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