2026 Economics of Informality 5th International Conference Event information
Bogota, Colombia · December 9-10, 2026
5th International Conference on the Economics of Informality
An international forum on informal economies, labor markets, development, institutions, and structural transformation.
Universidad de los Andes Conference venues in Bogota
Keynote speakers
Wendy Cunningham
World Bank
Wendy Cunningham is a Lead Economist in the World Bank's Human Capital Project, where she leads work on demographics for economic development. Her research and operational work focuses on jobs, labor markets, youth development, socio-emotional skills, and gender.
Gary Fields
Cornell University
Professor Fields is internationally recognized for pioneering contributions to labor economics, development economics, and the study of labor markets in developing countries. His work on informal employment, labor market segmentation, and poverty dynamics has shaped research and policy.
William F. Maloney
World Bank
William F. Maloney is Chief Economist for the Latin America and Caribbean region at the World Bank. His work spans productivity, innovation, trade, growth, and labor market dynamics, with extensive research and policy engagement across Latin America.
Conference chairs
Fernando Jaramillo
Universidad de los Andes
Alain Desdoigts
IRD Colombia
Andres Garcia-Suaza
Universidad del Rosario
Cristina Fernandez
Universidad del Rosario
Carlos Medina
Banco de la Republica
Thematic areas
Labor markets
Employment transitions, youth labor, segmentation, aging, migration, and mobility.
Firms and productivity
Informal firms, credit markets, innovation, productivity, and structural change.
Policy and institutions
Regulation, formalization, political economy, public policy, and urban planning.
Important dates
Submission deadline
Complete papers or extended abstracts were received by this date.
Notification of acceptance
Authors will be notified after the review process.
Registration deadline
Accepted presenters should complete registration by this date.
Conference dates
The conference will take place in Bogota, Colombia.
Call for papers
The submission period has closed. Program, venue, registration, and visitor information will be updated as they are confirmed.
[email protected]Venue and travel
The conference will take place in Bogota at Universidad del Rosario and Universidad de los Andes. Practical information for visitors is available on the travel page.
View event informationPrevious conferences
Informality, economics, institutions, roundtables, and contributed academic sessions.
Labor, firms, regulation, development, migration, political economy, and Covid-19.
Productivity, firms and employment, formalization, pensions, platforms, AI, and green transition.
Scientific committee
- Aglaya Batz Universidad del Rosario
- Ana Maria Díaz Universidad Javeriana
- Andrés Álvarez Universidad de los Andes
- Andrea Otero Banco de la República
- Daniel Osorio Banco de la República
- Gustavo Garcia Universidad EAFIT
- Hector Posada Universidad de Antioquia
- Hernando Zuleta Universidad de los Andes
- Jairo Nunez Fedesarrollo
- Jhon Jame Mora ICESI
- Juan Camilo Chaparro Universidad EAFIT
- Leonardo Morales Banco de la República
- Luis Eduardo Arango Banco de la República
- Luis H Gutierrez Universidad del Rosario
- Marcela Eslava Universidad de los Andes
- Miguel Sarmiento Banco de la República
- Oscar Becerra Universidad de los Andes
- Paul Rodriguez Universidad del Rosario
- Paula Herrera Universidad Javeriana
Organizers
Supported by
