Uruguay’s unemployment rate inched down to 7.1% in September 2026 from 7.2% in August. By region, unemployment was equal in Montevideo and the interior, at 7.1%. The gender gap persisted, with female unemployment at 8.6%, compared with 5.8% for men. Unemployment varied significantly by age, reaching 21.6% among young people aged 14 to 24, the group facing the greatest difficulties entering the labor market. Regarding employment quality, underemployment stood at 8.8%, while the share of workers not registered with social security reached 21%. Both indicators remained broadly stable month-over-month. source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Uruguay

Unemployment Rate in Uruguay decreased to 7.10 percent in September from 7.20 percent in August of 2026. Unemployment Rate in Uruguay averaged 7.96 percent from 2006 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 13.40 percent in January of 2006 and a record low of 5.40 percent in December of 2010. This page provides - Uruguay Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Uruguay Unemployment Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on November of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in Uruguay decreased to 7.10 percent in September from 7.20 percent in August of 2026. Unemployment Rate in Uruguay is expected to be 7.60 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Uruguay Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 7.90 percent in 2027 and 8.00 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-09-24 06:00 PM
Unemployment Rate
Aug 7.2% 7.0% 7.0%
2026-10-23 05:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
Sep 7.1% 7.2% 7.40%
2026-11-23 05:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
Oct 7.1%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employment Rate 59.60 59.50 percent Sep 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 64.10 64.10 percent Sep 2026
Population 3.59 3.57 million Dec 2025
Unemployment Rate 7.10 7.20 percent Sep 2026
Wages in Manufacturing 528.19 526.52 points Sep 2026


Uruguay Unemployment Rate
In Uruguay, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
7.10 7.20 13.40 5.40 2006 - 2026 percent Monthly
NSA

News Stream
Uruguay Unemployment Rate Edged Lower in September
Uruguay’s unemployment rate inched down to 7.1% in September 2026 from 7.2% in August. By region, unemployment was equal in Montevideo and the interior, at 7.1%. The gender gap persisted, with female unemployment at 8.6%, compared with 5.8% for men. Unemployment varied significantly by age, reaching 21.6% among young people aged 14 to 24, the group facing the greatest difficulties entering the labor market. Regarding employment quality, underemployment stood at 8.8%, while the share of workers not registered with social security reached 21%. Both indicators remained broadly stable month-over-month.
2026-10-23
Uruguay Jobless Rate Rises in August
Uruguay’s unemployment rate edged up to 7.2% in August 2026 from 7.0% in July, marking the first increase since May. By region, Montevideo recorded a higher unemployment rate than the rest of the country, at 7.3% versus 7.1%. The gap between men and women persisted, with female unemployment at 8.8%, compared with 5.7% for men. Unemployment varied significantly by age, reaching 23.4% among young people aged 14 to 24, the group facing the greatest difficulties entering the labor market. This pattern was similar to that observed in July. Regarding employment quality, both underemployment (9.1%) and the lack of social security registration (20.8%) remained at levels similar to those recorded in the previous month.
2026-09-24
Uruguay Unemployment Holds at 7%
Uruguay’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 7% in July 2026, the lowest level since December 2025. By region, Montevideo recorded higher activity, employment and unemployment rates than the rest of the country, with unemployment at 7.2% versus 6.9%. Female unemployment remained above male unemployment at 8.6% and 5.6%, respectively, while activity and employment rates were lower among women. Unemployment was highest among young people aged 14 to 24, at 21.1%, highlighting their difficulties entering the labor market. The employment rate was highest among those aged 35 to 44. The underemployment rate stood at 8.9%, unchanged from the previous month, while informality, measured by non-registration with social security, remained at 21.1%.
2026-08-27