The number of independent affiliates to Colombia's family compensation system rose 11.3 percent during the first quarter of 2026, according to a report by Asocajas. Dependent workers recorded a more modest growth of 1.6 percent.
Asocajas presented the Pulso a la Formalidad report with data from the 27 family compensation funds. The monthly average of independent affiliates rose from 225,000 to 250,000, representing an increase of about 25,000 affiliates compared to the same period in 2025.
The document notes that the growth rate of independents exceeds that of dependents by more than three times. The largest departmental increases occurred in Chocó at 6.5 percent, Santander at 6.2 percent and Magdalena at 6.1 percent.
Among age groups, independents aged 29 to 49 showed the strongest dynamism with a 12.5 percent rise. In contrast, the 18 to 21 segment recorded a 3.8 percent decline.