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Uruguay · Employment & wages

Unemployment, participation, employment, youth, wages and hours.

19 indicators · 12 with data

Unemployment

Unemployment

% of labour force

132nd of 185 · 20th in Latin America
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UnemploymentUruguay's unemployment fell from 11.9 % in 1996 to 7.5 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%5%10%15%20%7.5 %

Uruguay's unemployment fell from 11.9 % in 1996 to 7.5 % in 2025.

Youth unemployment

% of labour force ages 15–24

156th of 183 · 28th in Latin America
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Youth unemploymentUruguay's youth unemployment fell from 29.9 % in 1996 to 25.1 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%10%20%30%40%25.1 %

Uruguay's youth unemployment fell from 29.9 % in 1996 to 25.1 % in 2025.

Participation

Participation

% of population ages 15+

59th of 182 · 10th in Latin America
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ParticipationUruguay's participation rose from 60.3 % in 1996 to 65.0 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202558%60%62%64%66%68%65.0 %

Uruguay's participation rose from 60.3 % in 1996 to 65.0 % in 2025.

Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)

% of female population ages 15+

64th of 182 · 10th in Latin America
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Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)Uruguay's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 47.1 % in 1996 to 57.3 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202546%48%50%52%54%56%58%57.3 %

Uruguay's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 47.1 % in 1996 to 57.3 % in 2025.

Employment

Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)

% of population ages 15+

70th of 182 · 12th in Latin America
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Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)Uruguay's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) rose from 53.1 % in 1996 to 60.1 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202545%50%55%60%65%60.1 %

Uruguay's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) rose from 53.1 % in 1996 to 60.1 % in 2025.

Labour force, total

people

125th of 182 · 20th in Latin America
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Labour force, totalUruguay's labour force, total rose from 1.46M in 1996 to 1.81M in 2025.2000200520102015202020251.4M1.5M1.6M1.7M1.8M1.9M1.81M

Uruguay's labour force, total rose from 1.46M in 1996 to 1.81M in 2025.

Self-employed (% of total employment)

% of employment

103rd of 182 · 19th in Latin America
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Self-employed (% of total employment)Uruguay's self-employed (% of total employment) rose from 27.0 % in 1996 to 28.0 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202526%27%28%29%30%28.0 %

Uruguay's self-employed (% of total employment) rose from 27.0 % in 1996 to 28.0 % in 2025.

Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)

% of employment

81st of 182 · 13th in Latin America
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Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)Uruguay's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) rose from 22.7 % in 1996 to 24.4 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202522%24%26%24.4 %

Uruguay's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) rose from 22.7 % in 1996 to 24.4 % in 2025.

Structure

Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)

% of employment

115th of 182 · 20th in Latin America
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Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)Uruguay's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 12.4 % in 1996 to 8.1 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020258%10%12%14%8.1 %

Uruguay's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 12.4 % in 1996 to 8.1 % in 2025.

Employment in industry (% of total employment)

% of employment

95th of 182 · 16th in Latin America
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Employment in industry (% of total employment)Uruguay's employment in industry (% of total employment) fell from 22.1 % in 1996 to 18.8 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202518%20%22%18.8 %

Uruguay's employment in industry (% of total employment) fell from 22.1 % in 1996 to 18.8 % in 2025.

Employment in services (% of total employment)

% of employment

44th of 182 · 8th in Latin America
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Employment in services (% of total employment)Uruguay's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 65.5 % in 1996 to 73.2 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202564%66%68%70%72%74%76%73.2 %

Uruguay's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 65.5 % in 1996 to 73.2 % in 2025.

Productivity

GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)

constant 2021 PPP $

59th of 168 · 5th in Latin America
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GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)Uruguay's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $43.5k in 1996 to intl $66.3k in 2025.200020052010201520202025intl $40kintl $50kintl $60kintl $70kintl $66.3k

Uruguay's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $43.5k in 1996 to intl $66.3k in 2025.

›No data available (7)

These indicators exist in the registry but no source reports a value for Uruguay.

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