The unemployment rate remained at 6.3% in May, consistent with the figure reported in April 2025, based on estimates released Tuesday by the National Institute of Statistics (INE).
“The unemployment rate stood at 6.3%, the same as in April 2025, but lower than in February 2025 and May 2024 (by 0.1 percentage points in both cases),” the INE report states.
The labor underutilization rate was estimated at 10.5%, lower than the previous month (by 0.1 percentage points), three months earlier, and the same month last year (by 0.4 percentage points in both cases).
The active population (5,554,900) decreased compared to April 2025 (by 13,500; 0.2%) but increased compared to February the same year (by 20,400; 0.4%) and May 2024 (by 136,600; 2.5%).
The employed population (5,206,000) decreased compared to the previous month (by 12,600; 0.2%) but increased from three months earlier (by 28,200; 0.5%) and the same month last year (by 131,800; 2.6%).
The unemployed population (348,900) remained almost unchanged compared to the prior month, decreased from three months earlier (by 7,800; 2.2%), and increased compared to the same month in 2024 (by 4,800; 1.4%).
The inactive population (2,470,200) rose compared to the previous month (by 23,100; 0.9%) and three months earlier (by 3,300; 0.1%), but fell compared to the same month last year (by 22,800; 0.9%).
Definitive estimates reveal that in April 2025, the unemployment rate was 6.3%, lower by 0.1 percentage points compared to the three reference periods.
The active population (5,568,400 people) increased compared to the previous month (by 33,300; 0.6%), three months earlier (by 49,400; 0.9%), and a year earlier (by 160,300; 3.0%).
The employed population (5,218,600) increased compared to March 2025 (by 37,400; 0.7%), January the same year (by 54,900; 1.1%), and April 2024 (by 157,100; 3.1%).
The unemployed population (349,800) decreased compared to the previous month (by 4,200; 1.2%) and three months earlier (by 5,500; 1.6%), but increased compared to the same month last year (by 3,200; 0.9%).
The inactive population (2,447,100) decreased compared to the previous month (by 26,100; 1.1%), three months earlier (by 29,200; 1.2%), and a year earlier (by 48,500; 1.9%).
The labor underutilization rate was 10.6%, lower than the previous month and three months earlier (by 0.3 percentage points in both cases) and the same month last year (by 0.4 percentage points).
The INE emphasizes in the report that, “in April 2025, the active population (5,568,400) reached the highest value since February 1998.”
“Similarly, the employed population, estimated at 5,218,600, reached its highest value since the beginning of the series in April 2025. The unemployment rate in April and May 2025 was 6.3%, the lowest since July 2023 (6.2%),” the report continues.
[News updated at 11:15 AM]
