Argentina: jobs and pay

What share of Argentines are in work?

45.0% of Argentina's urban population was employed in the second quarter of 2026, according to INDEC's labour market report (EPH) of 17 September 2026. The activity rate, which adds people looking for work, was 48.9%, and unemployment 7.9%.

These rates are measured against the total population of the 31 urban areas covered by the EPH survey, including children, so they look lower than rates based on people of working age. The activity rate rose 0.8 points from a year earlier, a change INDEC describes as statistically significant.

Official sources: INDEC: labour market (EPH), Q2 2026

How many Argentine workers are informal?

45.0% of employed people in Argentina's urban areas were in informal jobs in the second quarter of 2026, up 1.0 point from a year earlier, according to INDEC's labour market report (EPH).

The rate refers to wage earners without pension contributions and to self-employed workers in informal businesses, as measured by INDEC's household survey. Among the self-employed, 86.5% were informal. Informal workers usually lack paid leave, health cover through their job and pension contributions.

Official sources: INDEC: labour market (EPH), Q2 2026

How fast are wages rising in Argentina?

Argentina's wage index rose 2.8% in July 2026 from June and 36.2% from a year earlier, according to INDEC's wage index report of 22 September 2026. Since December 2025 it has risen 21.8%.

In July, registered private-sector wages rose 2.3%, public-sector wages 3.0% and unregistered private wages 3.9%. The index measures nominal wages, so whether workers' purchasing power rises depends on inflation; INDEC's consumer price index rose 23.6% between December 2025 and September 2026.

Official sources: INDEC: wage index, July 2026 · INDEC: consumer price index, September 2026

How much do Argentines earn?

Average income per person in Argentina's urban areas was $688,496 a month in the second quarter of 2026, and the median $500,000, according to INDEC's income distribution report of 1 October 2026.

The median is the middle value: half of people live in households with less income per person and half with more. Total income of the population covered rose 29.3% in nominal terms from a year earlier. The figures come from the EPH survey of 31 urban areas, covering 30.2 million people.

Official sources: INDEC: income distribution (EPH), Q2 2026

How unequal are incomes in Argentina?

Argentina's Gini coefficient of per capita household income was 0.428 in the second quarter of 2026, compared with 0.424 a year earlier, according to INDEC's income distribution report.

The Gini runs from 0, when everyone has the same income, to 1, when one person has all of it, so a higher value means more inequality. The measure uses household income divided by the number of household members and covers the 31 urban areas in the EPH survey. Quarterly values can move with seasonal factors such as bonuses.

Official sources: INDEC: income distribution (EPH), Q2 2026

What is the minimum wage in Argentina?

271,571 ARS a month (about $297): that is the statutory minimum wage in Argentina for 2024, according to the ILO. That is the highest since at least 2012.

How much do workers in Argentina earn on average?

According to the ILO, average monthly earnings of employees in Argentina was $811 a month in 2025. Its high point since 2012 was 2013, at $912 a month; its low point was 2020, at $514 a month. It is 3rd highest of 14 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is $523 a month. Worldwide: 36th of 57.

What is Argentina's unemployment rate?

According to the ILO, the unemployment rate in Argentina was 7.1% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 11.5%; its low point was 2023, at 6.1%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 6.0%; Argentina is 12th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 52nd highest.

What is youth unemployment in Argentina?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 19.2%. The peak was 30.4% in 2020 and the low 17.9% in 2023. It is 12th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 14.0%. World rank, highest first: 50th of 174.

How many people in Argentina are working or looking for work?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate in Argentina at 61.9% in 2025. The peak was 62.3% in 2023 and the low 56.0% in 2020. It is 19th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 63.4%. Worldwide: 88th of 174.

What share of women in Argentina are in the labour force?

52.5%: that is the labour force participation rate for women in Argentina for 2025, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 53.0%; its low point was 2020, at 46.5%. It is 15th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 52.5%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 97th highest.

How many people in Argentina are employed?

In 2025, the employment to population ratio in Argentina was 57.5%, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 49.6% (2020) to 58.5% (2023). It is 18th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 59.4%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 91st highest.

What is vulnerable employment in Argentina?

22.3%: that is the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Argentina for 2025, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 24.1%; its low point was 2011, at 18.6%. It is 21st highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 29.8%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 109th highest.

What share of workers in Argentina earn a wage or salary?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are paid employees in Argentina at 74.4% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2012, at 77.0%; its low point was 2021, at 72.4%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 64.8%; Argentina is 6th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 62nd of 174.