The National Administrative Department of Statistics (Dane) presented the 2024 national urban economic census, the first in 34 years, registering 2,005,613 economic units in the country's urban areas. Bogotá, Antioquia, and Valle del Cauca concentrate 40% of these units. Commerce dominates with 53.1% of the total.
The Dane revealed on November 11, 2024, the preliminary results of the national urban economic census, an effort updating data not renewed in 34 years. This census covers urban areas of 1,102 municipalities, San Andrés and Providencia island, and 18 non-municipalized areas, excluding direct agro and mining activities but including those linked to these sectors.
In total, 2,005,613 economic units were identified. Bogotá leads with 360,565 units, representing 18% of the total, followed by Antioquia with 250,574 (12.5%), Valle del Cauca with 193,974 (9.7%), Cundinamarca with 110,694 (5.5%), and Santander with 110,548 (5.5%). The top three departments concentrate 40% of urban units.
Dane's director, Piedad Urdinola, emphasized: "Economic censuses are key to having information and making better decisions." She added: "We have 34 years without Dane having conducted a National Urban Economic Census." The census included all visible businesses in urban blocks, even small ones like a sign for selling poems.
By sectors, commerce encompasses 1.06 million units (53.1%), followed by services with 32.3%, industry with 5.2%, transport with 1.1%, construction with 0.4%, public administration with 0.3%, and others with 0.1%; 7.4% without CIUU classification. Additionally, 219,042 street vending units were registered, representing one in every ten total units, highlighting the popular and informal economy. Bogotá has 42,097 of these, Antioquia 21,617, and Valle del Cauca 19,326. Urdinola clarified that street sellers have fixed spots, unlike ambulant vendors who move around.
These preliminary data provide an updated view of the urban economy, enabling better policies. Definitive microdata will be published next year.