Unemployment Factors Among Venezuelan Immigrants in Colombia

Since 2015, nearly 3 million Venezuelans have fled to Columbia, forced to leave their homeland by a multidimensional humanitarian crisis. Entering the Columbian labour market has become one of the key challenges facing these migrants. In the fragile socio-economic context of cities bordering Venezuela, finding employment is especially difficult. This study aimed to clarify the factors related to unemployment among Venezuelan immigrants in the border municipalities of Villa del Rosario, Los Patios and Cúcuta (Colombia). The target population included 122 Venezuelan migrants who reported being unemployed. The primary data was collected from July to October 2022. Using multiple correspondence analysis and positioning maps, we identified three different profiles that emerge among these unemployed immigrants. Profile 1 is characterised as young people with an education level ranging from primary school to high school and an occupational profile of mainly service workers and salespeople in commerce and markets. Profile 2, of greatest interest in this study, is characterised as mostly young women who received university education but have not managed to enter the labour market. Profile 3 is largely men aged 48 to 61 years and older, with medium technical and higher university-level education and an occupational profile of mostly technical and professional medium level. We conclude with several recommendations to promote formal labour integration among Venezuelan migrants.