A recent UCLA study reveals the persistent employment disparities faced by Afro-Latines in the U.S. labor market

“The data underscores the need for targeted policy interventions to address the impact of racial and ethnic discrimination that these workers experience,” said researcher Dr. Nancy López.

By Jennifer Hernandez. March 3, 2025.

Photo: Burkett Photography

The Afro-Latine community in the United States represents a distinct cultural group that often falls between the prevailing classifications of “Latinidad” and “Blackness.” This intersection of phenotype, culture, parents’ birthplace, and language shapes the experiences of Afro-Latines, creating a nuanced identity rooted in colonial Latin America. In 2020, Pew estimated that approximately 6 million Afro-Latine adults resided in the United States, comprising around 2% of the adult U.S. population and 12% of the adult Latino population, with roughly 800,000 identifying as non-Hispanic.

“The Labor Market Experiences of Working-Age Afro-Latinxs,” a UCLA report published last August, highlights the employment disparities faced by this fast-growing segment of the 63 million-strong Latino population. The findings suggest that Afro-Latinos and Afro-Latinas encounter higher levels of unemployment, indicating the presence of anti-Black bias. Even with similar or higher education levels, they consistently experience these inequalities compared to non-Black Latinos.

Research conducted by  Misael Galdámez, Julia Silver, Dr. Rodrigo Dominguez-Villegas, and Dr. Nancy López, utilized U.S. Census Bureau survey data from 2010 to 2022. The research revealed that Afro-Latinas and Black women were nearly twice as likely to encounter unemployment as their white counterparts. From 2019 to 2020, Black women and non-Black Latinas experienced the greatest one-year decreases in labor force participation.

By 2022, about 76% of Afro-Latinas were either employed or seeking employment, compared to 69% of non-Black Latinas, who had the lowest participation rates. Afro-Latino men faced elevated unemployment rates as well, being 1.6 times more likely to be unemployed than white men.

Unemployment Rates for Women Ages 25 to 54 by Race and Ethnicity, 2010 to 2022

Source: UCLA LPPI analysis of 2010-2022 Current Population Survey basic monthly sample public use microdata.
Notes: Data are for the prime-age, civilian, non-institutionalized population and are not seasonally adjusted. The prime-age population refers to people aged 25 to 54, who are most likely to work. Created with Datawrapper

The UCLA study aims to highlight the challenging labor market conditions for Afro-Latinx individuals and understand their socioeconomic experiences through the lens of intersecting factors like gender, immigration status, national origin, ethnicity, and race.

“Afro-Latinx individuals are often overlooked in discussions about racial and ethnic disparities, but our findings demonstrate the unique challenges they face in the labor market,” mentioned Dr. Nancy López, a professor of sociology at the University of New Mexico and co-founder of the Institute for the Study of “Race” and Social Justice. “The data clearly indicates the need for targeted policy interventions.”

“Intersectional research like this is crucial as it brings to light inequalities within our Latino community. Afro-Latinx workers are often overlooked in broader discussions about disparities,” added Misael Galdámez, a senior research analyst at UCLA LPPI.

“Afro-Latinx individuals are often overlooked in discussions about racial and ethnic disparities, but our findings clearly demonstrate the unique challenges they face in the labor market.” - Dr. Nancy López, professor of sociology at the University of New Mexico and co-founder and past director of the Institute for the Study of “Race” and Social Justice. Courtesy of Dr. Nancy López.

he UCLA report also indicates that discrimination and anti-Black bias - impact labor market outcomes. Studies suggest that Black workers often face higher unemployment during economic downturns, which have persisted for over four decades. Employers frequently show reluctance to hire Black workers due to unfounded assumptions regarding productivity and background.

The research showed that Afro-Latinas were marginally less likely to be unemployed than Black women but more likely to be out of work compared to non-Black Latinas. 

Additionally, the study revealed that Afro-Latine workers aged 25 to 54 experience similar biases in the labor market. UCLA LPPI’s analysis found that U.S.-born Afro-Latinx workers had unemployment rates more aligned with their Black peers than with non-Black Latinos between 2010 and 2022. The influence of immigration status on labor outcomes is notable, as immigrants are often the first to face unemployment during economic downturns, potentially contributing to higher unemployment rates in groups with larger immigrant populations.

Julia Silver, a research analyst at UCLA LPPI, concluded in the press release, “By focusing on this intersection of race, ethnicity, gender, educational attainment, and nativity, we can better understand the compounded challenges faced by Afro-Latinx communities and advocate for policies that address anti-Blackness. This type of research is vital for creating more equitable labor market outcomes and ensuring that all workers have the opportunity to thrive.”

Unemployment Ratios for Afro-Latinx, non-Black Latino, and Black Workers by Gender, Ages 25 to 54

1= Equal Unemployment to Non-Hispanic white Peers

Among U.S.-born individuals, unemployment rates for Afro-Latina women and Afro-Latino men were more akin to their Black peers rather than their non-Black Latine peers from 2010 to 2022. Source: Datawrapper

This project is a part of Every Voice, Every Vote, a collaborative project managed by The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. The William Penn Foundation provides lead support for Every Voice, Every Vote in 2024 and 2025 with additional funding from The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, Comcast NBC Universal, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Henry L. Kimelman Family Foundation, Judy and Peter Leone, Arctos Foundation, Wyncote Foundation, 25th Century Foundation, Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation, and Philadelphia Health Partnership. To learn more about the project and view a full list of supporters, visit www.everyvoice-everyvote.org. Editorial content is created independently of the project’s donors.