Chile unemployment hits 9.1%, extending labor market stagnation

The jobless rate has remained above 8% for 38 months, weighing on consumer sentiment and equity valuations in Latin America's second-largest economy.

By Handelsavisen Newsroom · Automated 2026-06-26 18:24 UTC · 1 min read

Chile's unemployment rate rose to 9.1% in the latest reading, marking the 38th consecutive month that the jobless rate has remained above the 8% threshold.

The persistent labor market weakness underscores a prolonged period of economic stagnation for the country, which has struggled to regain the growth momentum seen in previous years.

88% to close at 10,675 on Wednesday, marking a second consecutive session of losses.

The data points to structural headwinds in the labor market, with limited job creation failing to keep pace with population growth and sectoral shifts.

The prolonged plateau in unemployment has contributed to volatility in Chilean equities.

The benchmark IPSA index fell 0.88% to close at 10,675 on Wednesday, marking a second consecutive session of losses.

This decline reversed a brief period of stability, as the index had posted a third straight day of gains the previous week, closing 0.11% higher at 10,900.52 on Tuesday.