Uruguay: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Uruguay?

Uruguay's unemployment rate was 7.2% in August 2026, according to the INE activity, employment and unemployment report based on the continuous household survey (ECH). The activity rate was 64.1% and the employment rate 59.5%.

The activity rate is the share of people of working age who are working or looking for work; the employment rate is the share who are working. Monthly figures from a sample survey move up and down from month to month, so the INE also publishes three-month figures by geographical area.

Official sources: INE: Actividad, Empleo y Desempleo (ECH) Agosto 2026

How fast are wages rising in Uruguay?

Uruguay's average wage index (IMS) was 5.89% higher in August 2026 than a year earlier, according to the INE average wage index report. It rose 0.32% in the month and 5.14% since the start of the year.

The IMS is an index of wages, not an average wage in pesos. Over the same 12 months to September 2026, consumer prices rose 4.68%, according to the INE. The INE also publishes a nominal wage index (IMSN) and a real wage index (IMSR).

Official sources: INE: Índice Medio de Salarios (IMS) Agosto 2026

How high is youth unemployment in Uruguay?

Unemployment among young people aged 15 to 24 in Uruguay was 25.15% in 2025, down from 26.7% in 2024, according to the International Labour Organization's modelled estimate on World Bank Open Data. The overall unemployment rate in the same series was 7.52%.

In this series youth unemployment is more than three times the overall rate. The National Institute of Statistics (INE) publishes unemployment by age, sex and area each half-year in its differential labour market report; in the first half of 2026 the overall unemployment rate was 7.4%.

Official sources: World Bank Open Data (API) · differential labour market report

How much is the minimum wage in Uruguay?

The ILO puts the statutory minimum wage in Uruguay at 1,856 UYU a month (about $46) in 2024. No year since 2012 has been lower.

How much do workers in Uruguay earn on average?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2024, is $1,192 a month. No year since 2012 has been higher. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was $532 a month, and Uruguay placed 2nd highest of 18. World rank, highest first: 32nd of 75.

What is the unemployment rate in Uruguay?

In 2025, the unemployment rate in Uruguay was 7.5%, according to the ILO. The peak was 12.0% in 2005 and the low 6.3% in 2011. It is 11th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 6.0%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 51st highest.

What is youth unemployment in Uruguay?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 25.1%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 18.1% (2011) to 34.2% (2020). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 14.0%, and Uruguay placed 4th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 26th of 174.

What is the labour force participation rate in Uruguay?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate in Uruguay was 65.0% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2011, at 66.0%; its low point was 2005, at 59.5%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 63.4%; Uruguay is 10th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 58th highest.

What is female labour force participation in Uruguay?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate for women in Uruguay was 57.3%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2024, at 57.3%; its low point was 2005, at 49.9%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 52.5%; Uruguay is 10th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 63rd of 174.

What is the employment rate in Uruguay?

According to the ILO, the employment to population ratio in Uruguay was 60.1% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 52.4% (2005) to 61.9% (2011). It is 12th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 59.4%. World rank, highest first: 69th of 174.

How common is self-employment in Uruguay?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Uruguay at 24.4% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 22.2% (2014) to 24.9% (2020). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 29.8%, and Uruguay placed 19th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 102nd of 174.

How many people in Uruguay are employees?

72.0%: that is the share of workers who are paid employees in Uruguay for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 70.4% (2007) to 73.5% (2014). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 64.8%, and Uruguay placed 11th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 72nd of 174.