Vulnerable employment in South America in 2025 — 32.24%. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 2.14 pp.
1991–2025 · % of employment
How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: South America
| Year | % | Change, pp |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 32.24 | −0.16 pp |
| 2024 | 32.4 | −0.42 pp |
| 2023 | 32.82 | −0.74 pp |
| 2022 | 33.57 | −1.05 pp |
| 2021 | 34.61 | +0.44 pp |
| 2020 | 34.18 | +0.83 pp |
| 2019 | 33.35 | +0.23 pp |
| 2018 | 33.12 | +0.39 pp |
| 2017 | 32.73 | +0.36 pp |
| 2016 | 32.37 | +0.53 pp |
| 2015 | 31.84 | +0.6 pp |
| 2014 | 31.23 | −0.06 pp |
| 2013 | 31.29 | −0.04 pp |
| 2012 | 31.34 | −0.34 pp |
| 2011 | 31.68 | −0.07 pp |
| 2010 | 31.75 | −0.1 pp |
| 2009 | 31.85 | +0.19 pp |
| 2008 | 31.66 | −0.47 pp |
| 2007 | 32.14 | −0.61 pp |
| 2006 | 32.75 | −0.53 pp |
| 2005 | 33.28 | −0.48 pp |
| 2004 | 33.76 | −0.25 pp |
| 2003 | 34 | −0.2 pp |
| 2002 | 34.2 | +0.12 pp |
| 2001 | 34.08 | −0.29 pp |
| 2000 | 34.37 | −0.07 pp |
| 1999 | 34.43 | +0.26 pp |
| 1998 | 34.17 | +0.47 pp |
| 1997 | 33.7 | −0.21 pp |
| 1996 | 33.91 | −0.31 pp |
| 1995 | 34.22 | −0 pp |
| 1994 | 34.22 | −0.22 pp |
| 1993 | 34.44 | −0.04 pp |
| 1992 | 34.47 | +0.09 pp |
| 1991 | 34.38 | — |
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.
The share of workers who work for themselves — from entrepreneurs to the informally employed.
Labor Employment in agricultureThe share of workers employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing.
Labor Poverty at $3.65 a dayThe share of people living on less than $3.65 a day — the line for lower-middle-income countries.