Birth Rate and Informal Employment: Two Issues of National Interest in Colombia.

The Decrease in the Number of Births

According to official data, the number of births in Colombia has decreased in recent years. In 2.024, the number was 445.011, lower than the 515.549 recorded in 2.023 and the 629.402 recorded in 2.020. This is also lower than the 660.999 recorded in 2.015.

Another way to view the decline in the birth rate is to measure the number of births per 1.000 women, which reached 32 births in 2.024, compared to 45 in 2.021 and 52 in 2.017.

Likewise, when looking at the average age of women at the time of their first child, it has shifted from 22.7 years in 2.005 to 24.4 years in 2.024. However, in Bogotá, the shift has been greatest, rising from 23.6 years to 26.2 years, and in Valle del Cauca, from 22.8 to 25.4. The shift has been the least in Bolívar, from 22.6 to 23.3 years, Cesar, from 22.2 to 23.1 years, and Guajira, from 22.2 to 22.8 years.

From the above, several observations are as follows: 50 years ago, the average number of children was 7, and currently it is less than two. The decline in births extends to all regions of the country and is due to several socioeconomic factors, particularly among the middle and upper classes: the increase in women's educational level, coupled with greater participation in the labor market, and the rising costs of private education. All of this leads many people, especially young people, to postpone or discard the idea of ​​having children, as in the case of Bogotá.

In contrast, pets represent lesser economic and social commitment and provide constant companionship.

For the poor and vulnerable, and in rural areas, having children is a source of income, and they put them to work from an early age. Their educational levels are lower, and these households also own pets.

The Informality of Workers

The latest official data for the november january quarter on informal employment shows a figure of 56% of all workers.

By city, the cities with the highest informality are Sincelejo (67%), Valledupar (66%), Riohacha (65%), Cúcuta (62%), and Santa Marta (62%). Conversely, the cities with the lowest informality are Manizales (35%), Pereira (36%), Bogotá (36%), Medellín (39%), and Tunja (40%). Other cities such as Cali (47%).

Also, by business size, microenterprises account for 85% of informal employment, small businesses (21%), medium-sized businesses (5%), and large businesses (3%).

The employed Colombian population as of january was 22.9 million, of which 10 million were formal workers and 12.8 million were informal workers; the latter constitute 56% of the total.

By economic activity, the working population in the november-january quarter was 23.3 million (m), of whom 4.2 million were employed in commerce, 3.2 million in agriculture, 2.7 million in public administration, and 2.4 million in industry. Other sectors, such as construction, 1.6 million, and professional activities, 1.8 million.

Of the total number of workers, formal workers are primarily employed in public administration (2.4 million), commerce (1.7 million), and industry (1.4 million). Informal workers are employed in agriculture (2.8 million), commerce (2.4 million), and artistic and entertainment activities (1.5 million).

he country, and capital cities such as Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali do not have high levels, but other cities, such as Sincelejo, Valledupar, and Riohacha, are at the extreme end of informality.

Smaller businesses classified like small companies are almost entirely informal, while large businesses are mostly formal. By economic sector, informality stands out in agriculture.

With the above results, some observations are as follows: Informality remains high in agriculture, followed by commerce, and, in contrast, formal jobs are primarily in public administration, although also in commerce and industry.

Public policy requires localization (and the commitment of the private sector) to promote formal employment in sectors such as agriculture and businesses like small companies. It is also important for territorial entities, in conjunction with the national government, to encourage formal employment in cities other than the large departmental capitals.