LU4: Composite measure of labour underutilization in South America

South America: LU4: Composite measure of labour underutilization was 38,512 in 2027. ▲ Rising

Latest (2027)
38,512
Change on year
down 0.3%
Rank
34th
of 87 groups
All-time high
58,427
in 2020
All-time low
33,263
in 2014
Years of data
23
2005–2027

LU4: Composite measure of labour underutilization in South America, 2005–2027

020.0k40.0k60.0k2005201620272005: 41.6k2006: 39.6k2007: 38.0k2008: 36.5k2009: 40.0k2010: 38.3k2011: 36.5k2012: 36.3k2013: 34.6k2014: 33.3k2015: 36.2k2016: 42.0k2017: 45.9k2018: 47.5k2019: 49.3k2020: 58.4k2021: 54.5k2022: 44.3k2023: 40.2k2024: 39.5k2025: 39.3k2026: 38.6k2027: 38.5k

Source: International Labour Organization.

Analysis

The most recent figure for lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization in South America is 38,512, measured in 2027.

That represents a change of down 0.3% on the previous year and down 16.2% over ten years.

Over the whole period, lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization in South America peaked at 58,427 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 33,263, in 2014.

That places South America 34th out of 87 groups with data for 2027, putting it in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 23 years of available data.

LU4: Composite measure of labour underutilization in South America, year by year

Annual values for LU4: Composite measure of labour underutilization in South America, 2005 to 2027.
Year Value Change
2005 41,624
2006 39,584 -4.9%
2007 38,007 -4.0%
2008 36,455 -4.1%
2009 39,994 +9.7%
2010 38,271 -4.3%
2011 36,461 -4.7%
2012 36,316 -0.4%
2013 34,560 -4.8%
2014 33,263 -3.8%
2015 36,217 +8.9%
2016 42,036 +16.1%
2017 45,939 +9.3%
2018 47,467 +3.3%
2019 49,272 +3.8%
2020 58,427 +18.6%
2021 54,468 -6.8%
2022 44,311 -18.6%
2023 40,227 -9.2%
2024 39,528 -1.7%
2025 39,286 -0.6%
2026 38,622 -1.7%
2027 38,512 -0.3%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 39,133 36,455 41,624 5
2010s 39,980 33,263 49,272 10
2020s 44,173 38,512 58,427 8

Countries ranked near South America

  1. 31 Switzerland 695.37 compare
  2. 32 Cambodia 679.53 compare
  3. 33 Greece 661.12 compare
  4. 34 Honduras 659.75 compare
  5. 35 Sri Lanka 640.35 compare
  6. 36 Belgium 623.26 compare
  7. 37 Bolivia, Plurinational State of 621.17 compare

See the full ranking of 166 places →

More work & labour data for South America

All data for South America →

Frequently asked questions

What is lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization in South America?
Lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization in South America was 38,512 in 2027, according to International Labour Organization.
What is the highest lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization recorded in South America?
The highest recorded value was 58,427 in 2020.
What is the lowest lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization recorded in South America?
The lowest recorded value was 33,263 in 2014.
How does South America rank for lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization?
South America ranks 34th out of 87 groups with data for 2027.
Is lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization rising or falling in South America?
Over the last ten years it is down 16.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this South America data come from?
The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of LU4: Composite measure of labour underutilization. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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LU4: Composite measure of labour underutilization in South America. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization. Retrieved 07 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/lu4-composite-measure-of-labour-underutilization/south-america/

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About this data

Indicator
LU4: Composite measure of labour underutilization
Source
International Labour Organization
Licence
ILO Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
166 places, 3,284 data points, 1991–2027
Last refreshed

With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. For time series comparability, it includes countries that have implemented the 19th ICLS standards, for which data are also available in the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database. LU4 represents the share of the extended labour force that are in unemployment, time-related underemployment or the potential labour force. For more information, refer to the Labour Force Statistics (LFS and STLFS) database description.