FX.co ★ Chile Unemployment Rate Edges Up

Chile’s unemployment rate rose to 9.4% in the March–May 2026 period, up from 8.9% a year earlier and exceeding market expectations of 9.1%. This was the highest level since the quarter ending June 2021, reflecting labor force growth outpacing job creation. The number of unemployed climbed to 981,000, the highest figure since the quarter ending October 2020. The labor force participation rate inched up to 62.4%, as the labor force expanded 1.3% to 10.4 million. Employment increased 0.8% to 9.42 million, pushing the employment rate to 56.5%. Job gains were driven primarily by manufacturing (5.2%), health services (6.0%), and professional, scientific, and technical activities (11.6%).