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. source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Uruguay

Unemployment Rate in Uruguay increased to 7.20 percent in August from 7 percent in July of 2026. Unemployment Rate in Uruguay averaged 7.97 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 October of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in Uruguay increased to 7.20 percent in August from 7 percent in July of 2026. Unemployment Rate in Uruguay is expected to be 7.40 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
2026-08-27 06:20 PM
Unemployment Rate
Jul 7.0% 7.0% 6.8%
2026-09-24 06:00 PM
Unemployment Rate
Aug 7.2% 7.0% 7.0%
2026-10-23 05:45 PM
Unemployment Rate
Sep 7.2% 7.40%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employment Rate 59.50 59.60 percent Aug 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 64.10 64.10 percent Aug 2026
Population 3.59 3.57 million Dec 2025
Unemployment Rate 7.20 7.00 percent Aug 2026
Wages in Manufacturing 526.52 525.36 points Aug 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
7.20 7.00 13.40 5.40 2006 - 2026 percent Monthly
NSA

News Stream
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
Uruguay Unemployment Hits Six-Month Low
Uruguay's unemployment rate fell to 7% in June 2026 from 7.6% in May, marking the lowest level since December 2025 and pointing to a broadly stable labor market. Regionally, the jobless rate stood at 6.9% in Montevideo and 7.1% in the rest of the country. Unemployment remained lower among men (5.7%) than women (8.5%). Young workers aged 14–24 continued to face the weakest labor market conditions, with an unemployment rate of 21.3%. The rate declined to 9.4% among those aged 25–29, 7.5% for workers aged 30–34, and below 5% for those aged 35 and older. Among employed workers, 8.7% were underemployed, while 20.8% were not registered with the social security system in their main job. The labor force participation rate stood at 63.9%, while the employment rate was 59.5%.
2026-07-29