LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization in South America

South America: LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization was 16.35 in 2027. ▼ Falling

Latest (2027)
16.35
Change on year
down 1.0%
Rank
32nd
of 87 groups
All-time high
26.9
in 2020
All-time low
16.14
in 2014
Years of data
23
2005–2027

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

01020302005201620272005: 22.32006: 20.92007: 19.82008: 18.82009: 20.12010: 19.12011: 18.12012: 17.92013: 16.92014: 16.12015: 17.32016: 19.72017: 21.12018: 21.52019: 222020: 26.92021: 24.42022: 19.62023: 17.82024: 17.22025: 16.92026: 16.52027: 16.4

Source: International Labour Organization.

Analysis

In 2027, lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization in South America stood at 16.35.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.0% on the previous year and down 22.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization in South America peaked at 26.9 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 16.14, in 2014.

That places South America 32nd out of 87 groups with data for 2027, putting it in the middle of the range.

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

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

Annual values for LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization (ILO modelled estimates) in South America, 2005 to 2027.
Year Value Change
2005 22.31
2006 20.88 -6.4%
2007 19.83 -5.0%
2008 18.76 -5.4%
2009 20.1 +7.1%
2010 19.14 -4.8%
2011 18.14 -5.2%
2012 17.85 -1.6%
2013 16.89 -5.4%
2014 16.14 -4.4%
2015 17.28 +7.1%
2016 19.68 +13.9%
2017 21.09 +7.2%
2018 21.48 +1.8%
2019 21.99 +2.4%
2020 26.9 +22.3%
2021 24.37 -9.4%
2022 19.59 -19.6%
2023 17.76 -9.4%
2024 17.23 -3.0%
2025 16.92 -1.8%
2026 16.52 -2.4%
2027 16.35 -1.0%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 20.38 18.76 22.31 5
2010s 18.97 16.14 21.99 10
2020s 19.45 16.35 26.9 8

More work & labour data for South America

All data for South America →

Frequently asked questions

What is lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization in South America?
Lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization in South America was 16.35 in 2027, according to International Labour Organization.
What is the highest lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization recorded in South America?
The highest recorded value was 26.9 in 2020.
What is the lowest lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization recorded in South America?
The lowest recorded value was 16.14 in 2014.
How does South America rank for lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization?
South America ranks 32nd out of 87 groups with data for 2027.
Is lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization rising or falling in South America?
Over the last ten years it is down 22.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this South America data come from?
The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization (ILO modelled estimates). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization in South America. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization. Retrieved 08 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/lu4-composite-rate-of-labour-underutilization-ilo-modelled-estimates/south-america/

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About this data

Indicator
LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization (ILO modelled estimates)
Source
International Labour Organization
Licence
ILO Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
87 places, 2,001 data points, 2005–2027
Last refreshed

Imputed observations are not based on national data, are subject to high uncertainty and should not be used for country comparisons or rankings. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. 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 ILO Modelled Estimates (ILOEST) database description.