At the end of 2024, the median household income was 76,667 Uruguayan pesos, which means that 50 percent of households have an income less than or equal to this figure. Compared to the previous quarter, there was a decrease of 437 pesos.

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.

Uruguay Average Wage Index data was reported at 297.770 Jul2008=100 in Sep 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 296.280 Jul2008=100 for Aug 2018. Uruguay Average Wage Index data is updated monthly, averaging 88.740 Jul2008=100 from Jan 1996 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 273 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 297.770 Jul2008=100 in Sep 2018 and a record low of 32.680 Jul2008=100 in Jan 1996. Uruguay Average Wage Index data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Uruguay – Table UY.G010: Wage Index: Jul 2008=100.

Uruguay Average Wage Index: Private: RR: Computer and Related Activities data was reported at 276.280 Jul2008=100 in Sep 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 275.780 Jul2008=100 for Aug 2018. Uruguay Average Wage Index: Private: RR: Computer and Related Activities data is updated monthly, averaging 125.320 Jul2008=100 from Jan 2003 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 189 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 276.280 Jul2008=100 in Sep 2018 and a record low of 57.000 Jul2008=100 in Jan 2003. Uruguay Average Wage Index: Private: RR: Computer and Related Activities data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Uruguay – Table UY.G010: Wage Index: Jul 2008=100.

Uruguay Average Wage Index: Private: Mfg: Paper and Paper Products data was reported at 248.790 Jul2008=100 in Oct 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 250.770 Jul2008=100 for Sep 2018. Uruguay Average Wage Index: Private: Mfg: Paper and Paper Products data is updated monthly, averaging 122.995 Jul2008=100 from Jan 2003 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 190 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 250.770 Jul2008=100 in Sep 2018 and a record low of 59.690 Jul2008=100 in Jan 2003. Uruguay Average Wage Index: Private: Mfg: Paper and Paper Products data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Uruguay – Table UY.G010: Wage Index: Jul 2008=100.

Uruguay Average Household Income: Excl Bonus: Incl Location Allowance: Interior data was reported at 59,953.714 UYU in Sep 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 60,775.473 UYU for Aug 2018. Uruguay Average Household Income: Excl Bonus: Incl Location Allowance: Interior data is updated monthly, averaging 34,369.922 UYU from Jan 2006 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 153 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 60,775.473 UYU in Aug 2018 and a record low of 14,679.154 UYU in May 2006. Uruguay Average Household Income: Excl Bonus: Incl Location Allowance: Interior data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Uruguay – Table UY.H001: Average Household Income.

The national gross income per capita in Uruguay stood at 19,700 U.S. dollars in 2023. Between 1962 and 2023, the national gross income rose by 19,120 U.S. dollars, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend.

Uruguay Average Wage Index: Public Sector: Government Departments data was reported at 258.930 Jul2008=100 in Oct 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 255.010 Jul2008=100 for Sep 2018. Uruguay Average Wage Index: Public Sector: Government Departments data is updated monthly, averaging 56.045 Jul2008=100 from Jan 1985 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 406 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 258.930 Jul2008=100 in Oct 2018 and a record low of 0.050 Jul2008=100 in Mar 1985. Uruguay Average Wage Index: Public Sector: Government Departments data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Uruguay – Table UY.G010: Wage Index: Jul 2008=100.

The average pre-tax income of the top ten percent earners in Uruguay was over 4,765,470 Uruguayan peso at purchasing power parity (PPP) as of 2023, over 30 times more than the average income of the bottom half earners. Moreover, the top one percent of earners in Uruguay accounted for over 1,532,250 Uruguayan peso of the overall national income.

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.

Uruguay Average Monthly Income per Capita: Urban: Excl Location Allowance: Interior data was reported at 19,225.782 UYU in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 17,097.000 UYU for 2015. Uruguay Average Monthly Income per Capita: Urban: Excl Location Allowance: Interior data is updated yearly, averaging 3,626.782 UYU from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2016, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 19,225.782 UYU in 2016 and a record low of 131.961 UYU in 1990. Uruguay Average Monthly Income per Capita: Urban: Excl Location Allowance: Interior data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Uruguay – Table UY.H002: Average Income Per Capita.

Annualized average growth rate in per capita real survey mean consumption or income, total population (%) in Uruguay was reported at 0 % in 2019, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Uruguay - Annualized average growth rate in per capita real survey mean consumption or income, total population - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Uruguay Average Monthly Income per Capita: Urban: Excl Location Allowance data was reported at 23,114.619 UYU in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 20,626.000 UYU for 2015. Uruguay Average Monthly Income per Capita: Urban: Excl Location Allowance data is updated yearly, averaging 4,986.863 UYU from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2016, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 23,114.619 UYU in 2016 and a record low of 170.884 UYU in 1990. Uruguay Average Monthly Income per Capita: Urban: Excl Location Allowance data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Uruguay – Table UY.H002: Average Income Per Capita.

Uruguay: Income from natural resources, percent of GDP: The latest value from 2021 is 1.93 percent, a decline from 2.29 percent in 2020. In comparison, the world average is 6.83 percent, based on data from 186 countries. Historically, the average for Uruguay from 1970 to 2021 is 0.81 percent. The minimum value, 0.19 percent, was reached in 2000 while the maximum of 2.29 percent was recorded in 2020.

Uruguay: Income, profits, and capital gains taxes: percent of revenue: The latest value from 2020 is 33.96 percent, a decline from 34.21 percent in 2019. In comparison, the world average is 27.95 percent, based on data from 129 countries. Historically, the average for Uruguay from 2001 to 2020 is 23.64 percent. The minimum value, 7.99 percent, was reached in 2003 while the maximum of 43.73 percent was recorded in 2016.

Uruguay scored 0.71 in the gender gap index area of economic participation and opportunity in 2025. This means that women are 71 percent less likely to have equal economic participation and opportunities than men. During this period, the South American country scored 0.68 in estimated earned income, which represents that, on average, women in Uruguay only earn 68 percent of the income earned by men.

Uruguay Average Wage Index: Private: Mfg: Textile data was reported at 268.610 Jul2008=100 in Sep 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 268.520 Jul2008=100 for Aug 2018. Uruguay Average Wage Index: Private: Mfg: Textile data is updated monthly, averaging 125.880 Jul2008=100 from Jan 2003 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 189 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 268.610 Jul2008=100 in Sep 2018 and a record low of 64.510 Jul2008=100 in Jan 2003. Uruguay Average Wage Index: Private: Mfg: Textile data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Uruguay – Table UY.G010: Wage Index: Jul 2008=100.

Uruguay Average Wage Index: Private: Manufacturing data was reported at 298.700 Jul2008=100 in Sep 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 297.410 Jul2008=100 for Aug 2018. Uruguay Average Wage Index: Private: Manufacturing data is updated monthly, averaging 129.770 Jul2008=100 from Jan 2003 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 189 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 298.700 Jul2008=100 in Sep 2018 and a record low of 58.300 Jul2008=100 in Jan 2003. Uruguay Average Wage Index: Private: Manufacturing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Uruguay – Table UY.G010: Wage Index: Jul 2008=100.

After a decade of continuous growth, the Uruguayan economy experienced a recession over 1998-2001, with a deeper contraction registered in 2002 following the unraveling of the Argentinean crisis in late 2001, which culminated in default, and devaluation in early 2002. The recession had a deteriorating effect on poverty, and other social indicators, although considered better than in the majority of Latin American countries. Notably, increased unemployment began in 1998 - unemployment, and self-employment - was accompanied by a reduction in real wages in the private sector. In addition, since 1999, pensions, which constitute a sizeable portion of household incomes, have been falling as well. Vulnerable groups were the most affected, which are groups composed by households in which the head is unemployed, employed in the informal sector, or self-employed; crowded households; households headed by construction sector workers; and, by individuals with low educational attainment, or by young persons. There are also some "new poor", notably individuals living in households with intermediately educated heads. This growth in poverty resulted from three broad factors: a) higher incidence of unemployment, combined with longer unemployment spells, and less hours worked, all of which affected more the vulnerable segments; b) reductions in real earnings originated by inflation, and the reduced rate of increase in nominal remunerations. These were compounded by occupational, and sectoral shifts in the labor market, that contributed to the reduction of average earnings; and, c) higher household income inequality. The government response to the recession included many positive actions, in particular, the existence of a firmly established, and overall well designed set of social programs, including social assistance, and, there are three programs that play an important role in mitigating and coping with social risks: an early child development program; a housing program targeted to poor households in rural areas; and, a housing program with similar characteristics, but targeted to urban slums, introduced in 2000. Notwithstanding, some fragmentation within institutions, and overlapping program objectives across institutions, were found in some social interventions. A key question arising from the analysis in the Report is why nominal wages kept growing in the face of reduced economic activity, forcing a significant quantity adjustment of the labor market. Analyses of the effect of policies showed, that public wage rigidities exerted a negative, although small, impact on employment as a whole until 2001, especially for intermediately educated individuals, and those belonging to the three lowest quintiles of the income distribution. The report finds that both the public wage bill, and overall wage inequality would be lower if, public workers earned accordingly with the private pay structure. As noted in the final chapter, however, a deeper analysis of the labor market is needed, to assess other factors preventing adjustments in this market. Currently, the existing evidence in this regard is contradictory.

In 2023, the national gross income per capita in Uruguay increased by 1,870 U.S. dollars (+10.49 percent) compared to 2022. Therefore, the national gross income in Uruguay reached a peak in 2023 with 19,700 U.S. dollars. Gross national income (GNI) per capita is the total value of money received by a country, from both domestic or foreign sources, divided by the midyear population. The World Bank uses a conversion system known as the Atlas method, which implements a price adjusted, three year moving average, smoothing out fluctuations in exchange rates.Find more statistics on other topics about Uruguay with key insights such as value added to gross domestic product by the manufacturing sector, value added by the services industry to the gross domestic product, value added by the agriculture, and forestry and fishing sector to the gross domestic product.