Poverty and inequality have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic
The poor and the middle class have been strongly affected by the pandemic
Massive job and income losses explain the strong impact of the COVID-19
Informality and unemployment are high and concentrated among the vulnerable
Informality rates vary strongly with socioeconomic characteristics
Informal workers earn less than their formal peers
Informal workers suffered large jobs and incomes losses during the pandemic
The pandemic has amplified existing gender inequalities
Social protection coverage is low
Social spending is low
The minimum wage is the highest in the OECD
The relative high minimum wage excludes many Colombians from high-quality jobs
There is room to reduce non-wage labour costs
Informality has declined but remains high
The decrease in informality has been much stronger among employees than among self-employed
High social contributions leave many self-employed with no other choice than being informal
The pension system is characterised by low coverage and high inequality
The health coverage is almost universal but its financing generates incentives for informality
Cash transfers programmes leave many poor households without any support
The COVID-19 pandemic induced a comprehensive social response to protect the most in need
Emergency monetary transfers mitigated the COVID-19 impact on poverty
The coverage of cash-transfers programmes remains low
Coverage of unemployment insurance is low and those that need it the most have no access
Estimated impact on poverty and inequality of proposed social protection programmes