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: 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.

Wages in Uruguay increased to 36968.50 UYU/Month in 2020 from 34682 UYU/Month in 2019. This dataset provides - Uruguay Wage Index - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

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: 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: 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.

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 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 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: Food and Beverages data was reported at 311.690 Jul2008=100 in Sep 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 309.830 Jul2008=100 for Aug 2018. Uruguay Average Wage Index: Private: Mfg: Food and Beverages data is updated monthly, averaging 131.660 Jul2008=100 from Jan 2003 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 189 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 311.690 Jul2008=100 in Sep 2018 and a record low of 57.350 Jul2008=100 in Jan 2003. Uruguay Average Wage Index: Private: Mfg: Food and Beverages 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: Public Sector: Public Sector Companies data was reported at 267.200 Jul2008=100 in Oct 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 267.460 Jul2008=100 for Sep 2018. Uruguay Average Wage Index: Public Sector: Public Sector Companies data is updated monthly, averaging 59.420 Jul2008=100 from Jan 1985 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 406 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 268.050 Jul2008=100 in Apr 2018 and a record low of 0.080 Jul2008=100 in Jan 1985. Uruguay Average Wage Index: Public Sector: Public Sector Companies 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: Public Sector: Central Government data was reported at 287.800 Jul2008=100 in Oct 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 287.700 Jul2008=100 for Sep 2018. Uruguay Average Wage Index: Public Sector: Central Government data is updated monthly, averaging 52.615 Jul2008=100 from Jan 1985 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 406 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 287.800 Jul2008=100 in Oct 2018 and a record low of 0.120 Jul2008=100 in Mar 1985. Uruguay Average Wage Index: Public Sector: Central Government 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.

Luis Lacalle Pou, president of Uruguay since 2020, had by far the highest gross salary per month across a selection of presidents in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is worth noting that Uruguay has one of the highest average salaries in the region. He was followed by the Colombian president, Iván Duque, who, as of June 2022, had a gross monthly salary of ***** U.S. dollars.

Uruguay Average Wage Index: Private: TC: Supporting and Auxiliary Transport Activities, Travel Agencies data was reported at 301.130 Jul2008=100 in Jun 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 300.640 Jul2008=100 for May 2018. Uruguay Average Wage Index: Private: TC: Supporting and Auxiliary Transport Activities, Travel Agencies data is updated monthly, averaging 130.085 Jul2008=100 from Jan 2003 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 186 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 301.130 Jul2008=100 in Jun 2018 and a record low of 57.430 Jul2008=100 in Mar 2003. Uruguay Average Wage Index: Private: TC: Supporting and Auxiliary Transport Activities, Travel Agencies 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.

Buenos Aires, Argentina, was the least affordable city in South America in the first half of 2022 to buy an apartment. The ratio measures the number of years needed for a two-earner household where one person works full time and one person works half-time to buy a 90-square meter apartment. It assumes the property has the average square meter price for the city and that home buyers earn the average net salary. Montevideo, Uruguay, was one of the most affordable cities, where it took about nine years to buy an apartment.

Uruguay Average Wage Index: Private: Mfg: Tanning & Dressing of Leather excl Wearing Apparel data was reported at 244.330 Jul2008=100 in Oct 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 244.350 Jul2008=100 for Sep 2018. Uruguay Average Wage Index: Private: Mfg: Tanning & Dressing of Leather excl Wearing Apparel data is updated monthly, averaging 124.700 Jul2008=100 from Jan 2003 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 190 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 244.350 Jul2008=100 in Sep 2018 and a record low of 60.570 Jul2008=100 in Jan 2003. Uruguay Average Wage Index: Private: Mfg: Tanning & Dressing of Leather excl Wearing Apparel 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.

According to a recent study, Colombia had the lowest monthly cost of living in Latin America with 546 U.S. dollars needed for basic living. In contrast, four countries had a cost of living above one thousand dollars, Costa Rica, Chile, Panama and Uruguay. In 2022, the highest minimum wage in the region was recorded by Ecuador with 425 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 22 million people in Mexico lacked basic housing services. Salary levels also vary greatly among Latin American economies. In 2022, the average net monthly salary in Brazil was lower than Ecuador's minimum wage.

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 more than 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 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.