Uruguay was the Latin American country with the highest average monthly salary as of 2024, with a net value of around ***** U.S. dollars per month, followed by Costa Rica, with *** U.S. dollars per month. Employment development areas in Latin America Following the recuperation in this sector after the job losses endured throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the unemployment rate persists in its endeavor to stabilize. Informal employment remains as the predominant actor across most Latin American countries, serving as a primary avenue for economic sustenance. Notably, the construction sector has experienced substantial growth, outpacing other relevant industries like tourism and hospitality. Poverty Throughout the past two decades, poverty levels in Latin America remain unchanged. Honduras takes the lead as the country bearing the highest poverty rate, with nearly half of its population dwelling in these circumstances. Across the region, the prevalent delineation is that of individuals classified within the non-extreme and lower-middle poverty strata, characterized by modest income levels.

In 2023, four Caribbean nations were the countries with the highest gross national income per capita in Latin America and the Caribbean. On average, the national gross income amounted to around 31,990 U.S. dollars per person in the Bahamas, an island country which also had one of the highest gross domestic product per capita in this region. Outside the Caribbean Excluding the Caribbean, the economies with the highest national income per capita are generally located in South America, with the exceptions of Panama, Costa Rica and Mexico. Guyana leads among continental states with a national income of around 20.360 U.S. dollars per person. Gross national income (GNI) is the aggregated sum of the value added by residents in an economy, plus net taxes (minus subsidies) and net receipts of primary income from abroad. The biggest economies Brazil and Mexico are still miles ahead in the race for the biggest economy of Latin America. As of 2023, both nations exceeded the two trillion U.S. dollars mark in their Gross Domestic Product (GDP). While Argentina's GDP, third place, slightly surpassed the 600 billion U.S. dollars. Nonetheless, both nations also ranked as the most populated by far in the region.

In 2023, the regional average income per capita in Latin America and the Caribbean reached 9,566.22 U.S. dollars, up from some 8,827.08 dollars per person in the previous year. At that point in time, five Caribbean states and Uruguay registered the highest gross national income per capita in Latin America and the Caribbean. Gross national income (GNI) is the aggregated sum of the value added by residents in an economy, plus net taxes (minus subsidies) and net receipts of primary income from abroad.

Guyana was the South American country 20360the highest gross national income per capita, with 20,360 U.S. dollars per person in 2023. Uruguay ranked second, registering a GNI of 19,530 U.S. dollars per person, based on current prices. Gross national income (GNI) is the aggregated sum of the value added by residents in an economy, plus net taxes (minus subsidies) and net receipts of primary income from abroad. Which are the largest Latin American economies? Based on annual gross domestic product, which is the total amount of goods and services produced in a country per year, Brazil leads the regional ranking, followed by Mexico, Argentina, and Chile. Many Caribbean countries and territories hold the highest GDP per capita in this region, measurement that reflects how GDP would be divided if it was perfectly equally distributed among the population. GNI per capita is, however, a more exact calculation of wealth than GDP per capita, as it takes into consideration taxes paid and income receipts from abroad. How much inequality is there in Latin America? In many Latin American countries, more than half the total wealth created in their economies is held by the richest 20 percent of the population. When a small share of the population concentrates most of the wealth, millions of people don't have enough to make ends meet. For instance, in Brazil, about 5.32 percent of the population lives on less than 3.2 U.S. dollars per day.

Costa Rica is the country with the highest minimum monthly wage in Latin America. According to the minimum salary established by law as of January 2025, workers in the Central American country enjoy a basic monthly wage of over 726 U.S. dollars, an increase of 2.37 percent compared to the previous year. They also earn over 200 U.S. dollars more than the second place, Uruguay. On the other side of the spectrum is Venezuela, where employees are only guaranteed by law a minimum salary of 130 bolívares or little more than 2.50 dollars per month. Can Latin Americans survive on a minimum wage? Even if most countries in Latin America have instated laws to guarantee citizens a basic income, these minimum standards are often not enough to meet household needs. For instance, it was estimated that almost 25 million people in Mexico lacked basic housing services. Salary levels also vary greatly among Latin American economies. In 2020, the average net monthly salary in Mexico was barely higher than Chile's minimum wage in 2021. What can a minimum wage afford in Latin America? Latin American real wages have generally risen in the past decade. However, consumers in this region still struggle to afford non-basic goods, such as tech products. Recent estimates reveal that, in order to buy an iPhone, Brazilian residents would have to work at least two months to be able to pay for it. A gaming console, on the other hand, could easily cost a Latin American worker several minimum wages.

Graph and download economic data for Constant GDP per capita: All Income Levels for Latin America and Caribbean (NYGDPPCAPKDLCN) from 1960 to 2024 about Caribbean Economies, Latin America, per capita, income, and GDP.

The average for 2024 based on 19 countries was 19884 U.S. dollars. The highest value was in Puerto Rico: 44125 U.S. dollars and the lowest value was in Haiti: 2801 U.S. dollars. The indicator is available from 1990 to 2024. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Graph and download economic data for Gross Domestic Product Per Capita: All Income Levels for Latin America and Caribbean (NYGDPPCAPCDLCN) from 1960 to 2024 about Caribbean Economies, Latin America, per capita, income, and GDP.

Explore the progression of average salaries for graduates in Latin America And Iberian Cultures from 2020 to 2023 through this detailed chart. It compares these figures against the national average for all graduates, offering a comprehensive look at the earning potential of Latin America And Iberian Cultures relative to other fields. This data is essential for students assessing the return on investment of their education in Latin America And Iberian Cultures, providing a clear picture of financial prospects post-graduation.

Explore the progression of average salaries for graduates in Latin American History from 2020 to 2023 through this detailed chart. It compares these figures against the national average for all graduates, offering a comprehensive look at the earning potential of Latin American History relative to other fields. This data is essential for students assessing the return on investment of their education in Latin American History, providing a clear picture of financial prospects post-graduation.

Explore the progression of average salaries for graduates in Modern Latin American Literature from 2020 to 2023 through this detailed chart. It compares these figures against the national average for all graduates, offering a comprehensive look at the earning potential of Modern Latin American Literature relative to other fields. This data is essential for students assessing the return on investment of their education in Modern Latin American Literature, providing a clear picture of financial prospects post-graduation.

The average for 2023 based on 11 countries was 11093.98 U.S. dollars. The highest value was in Uruguay: 22797.81 U.S. dollars and the lowest value was in Bolivia: 3686.28 U.S. dollars. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

GDP per capita (constant 2015 US$) in Latin America & Caribbean (excluding high income) was reported at 8350 USD in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Latin America & Caribbean (excluding high income) - GDP per capita (constant 2000 US$) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Gross Domestic Product Per Capita: All Income Levels for Latin America and Caribbean was 10796.86237 Current $ in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Gross Domestic Product Per Capita: All Income Levels for Latin America and Caribbean reached a record high of 10796.86237 in January of 2023 and a record low of 371.37095 in January of 1960. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Gross Domestic Product Per Capita: All Income Levels for Latin America and Caribbean - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on September of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Real Median Family Income in South Census Region (MEFAINUSSOA672N) from 1953 to 2023 about South Census Region, family, median, income, real, and USA.

Constant GDP per capita: All Income Levels for Latin America and Caribbean was 9084.67549 2010 U.S. $ in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Constant GDP per capita: All Income Levels for Latin America and Caribbean reached a record high of 9084.67549 in January of 2023 and a record low of 3280.49935 in January of 1960. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Constant GDP per capita: All Income Levels for Latin America and Caribbean - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

United States US: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Latin America & The Caribbean data was reported at 17.755 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 17.642 % for 2015. United States US: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Latin America & The Caribbean data is updated yearly, averaging 14.701 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 23.170 % in 1960 and a record low of 10.495 % in 1986. United States US: Imports: Low- and Middle-Income Economies: % of Total Goods Imports: Latin America & The Caribbean data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.World Bank: Imports. Merchandise imports from low- and middle-income economies in Latin America and the Caribbean are the sum of merchandise imports by the reporting economy from low- and middle-income economies in the Latin America and the Caribbean region according to the World Bank classification of economies. Data are expressed as a percentage of total merchandise imports by the economy. Data are computed only if at least half of the economies in the partner country group had non-missing data.; ; World Bank staff estimates based data from International Monetary Fund's Direction of Trade database.; Weighted average;

Graph and download economic data for Median Personal Income in South Census Region (MEPAINUSSOA646N) from 1974 to 2024 about South Census Region, personal income, personal, median, income, and USA.

The average for 2024 based on 11 countries was 11407.96 U.S. dollars. The highest value was in Guyana: 32932.21 U.S. dollars and the lowest value was in Bolivia: 3226.19 U.S. dollars. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2024. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

In 2023, Puerto Rico and The Bahamas were the states with the highest gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in Latin America and the Caribbean. The average GDP generated per person in the Bahamas amounted to 34,749 U.S. dollars, whereas the average wealth created per capita in Puerto Rico was estimated at around 34,749 U.S. dollars. In that same year, this region's lowest GDP per capita was that of Haiti, at less than 1,693 U.S. dollars per person per year. The largest economies in Latin America GDP is the total value of all goods and services produced in a country in a year. It is an important indicator to measure the economic strength of a country and the average wealth of its population. By far, the two largest economies in the region are Brazil and Mexico, both registering GDPs three times bigger than the third place, Argentina. Nonetheless, they are the two most populated countries by a great margin.
Key economic indicators of Latin America Latin America emerges as an important region in the world economy, as of 2023, around 7.3 percent of the global GDP, a similar share to the Middle East. Nevertheless, the economic development of most of its countries has been heavily affected by other factors, such as corruption, inequality, inflation, or crime and violence. Countries such as Venezuela, Suriname, and Argentina are constantly ranking among the highest inflation rates in the world. While Jamaica, Ecuador, and Haiti rank as some of the most crime-ridden states.