Labor market dynamics and wage inequality Open access Peer reviewed

Labor market trajectories and earnings dynamics in Colombia

Leonardo Fabio Morales, Sergio Ocampo, Brenda Samaniego de la Parra

Journal of Macroeconomics | Sep 9, 2026

Abstract

Abstract

This paper analyzes formal labor earnings dynamics in Colombia using administrative Social Security records for the universe of formal workers from 2009 to 2024. We present stylized facts on formal earnings dispersion, growth, and volatility following the Global Repository of Income Dynamics framework. We find a modest decline in formal earnings concentration and stable overall dispersion, patterns comparable to those observed in the United States. We show how individuals’ histories of attachment to the formal sector shape the levels of earnings inequality and volatility. We identify five distinct groups of individuals based on their formal sector attachment trajectories that explain most of the variation in formal participation. Earnings dispersion is substantially higher among groups with low formal attachment, while those with high attachment display substantially lower, and more stable, earnings dispersion and are more likely to work at larger firms. Our findings highlight the central role of long-run formal attachment in shaping earnings dynamics.

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Authors

Researchers on this paper

Leonardo Fabio Morales

first | Banco de la República Colombia

Sergio Ocampo

middle | Western University

Brenda Samaniego de la Parra

last | ORCID 0000-0002-1657-4370

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Citation

BibTeX

@article{Morales2026Labor,
  title = {Labor market trajectories and earnings dynamics in Colombia},
  author = {Leonardo Fabio Morales and Sergio Ocampo and Brenda Samaniego de la Parra},
  journal = {Journal of Macroeconomics},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/j.jmacro.2026.103805},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmacro.2026.103805}
}

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