Chile's Job Market Reveals Persistent Gender Disparity Amidst Recovery

Chile's Unemployment Figures Highlight Gender Divide

Chile's National Institute of Statistics (INE Chile) has reported the country's latest unemployment figure at 8.5% for the July-September 2025 quarter. While this marks a 0.3 percentage point decrease over the past year, the data reveals a significant gender disparity, indicating a fractured recovery within the labor market.

The unemployment rate for men during this period was recorded at 8.1%, a 0.3 point decrease. In contrast, the unemployment rate for women stood at a higher 9.1%, showing only a 0.1 point decrease. This persistent gap underscores ongoing challenges in achieving equitable employment outcomes across genders.

A Fractured Recovery and the Role of Informal Work

The overall unemployment figure of 8.5% 'conceals a more fractured reality,' with the recovery 'unfolding in two distinct worlds, divided by gender and job security.' A significant factor contributing to this disparity is the prevalence of informal work. Over 26% of the Chilean workforce, representing more than one in four individuals, is engaged in informal jobs. These positions often lack essential benefits such as pensions, health insurance, and legal protections, leaving workers vulnerable.

Women are disproportionately affected by this informal sector and face greater barriers to securing stable employment. Furthermore, the combined rate of unemployment and the potential labor force—individuals who desire work but are not actively seeking it—reached 16.5%. This figure shows a substantial gender gap of 5.1 percentage points, with men at 14.2% and women at 19.3%. The burden of unpaid care and domestic work also falls heavily on women, impacting their labor force participation and career progression.

Government Initiatives to Address Gender Inequality

In response to these enduring disparities, the Chilean government and various organizations have implemented several initiatives aimed at fostering gender equality in the labor market:

• The National Service for Women and Gender Equity (SERNAMEG) is tasked with implementing policies and programs to strengthen women's autonomy and rights, including integrating gender perspectives into employment policies.
• The Gender Parity Initiative, launched in 2016 with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the World Economic Forum (WEF), aims to increase women's labor force participation, reduce the wage gap, and boost women's representation in leadership roles.
• Mujeres Emplea, an online platform, provides digital skills training, job matching services, and information on childcare to support women's economic integration.
• Chile's Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP) includes pillars focused on expanding women's participation in social life and developing a fair, inclusive care system.
• The Comprehensive Violence Against Women Act, enacted in March 2024, addresses gender-based violence, which has historically hindered women's educational and professional advancement.
• Efforts are also underway to promote women's participation in Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation (STKI) fields, with a policy aiming for gender equality by 2030.

Outlook on Equitable Recovery

Despite a slight decrease in the overall unemployment rate, the persistent gender disparity in Chile's job market underscores the ongoing need for targeted interventions. The high prevalence of informal work and the societal burden of unpaid care work continue to present significant challenges to achieving a truly inclusive and equitable economic recovery for all Chileans.