Uruguay Jobless Rate Edges Lower in September

Uruguay’s unemployment rate fell to 7.5% in April 2026 from 7.8% in March, signaling an improvement in labor market conditions. The jobless rate stood at 7.6% in Montevideo and 7.4% in the rest of the country, while employment rates reached 60.5% and 58.8%, respectively. By gender, unemployment was 6.4% among men and 8.7% among women. Youth unemployment remained significantly higher than for other age groups, reaching 23.3% among people aged 14 to 24. The rate was 10.2% for those aged 25 to 29 and below 7% for most age groups over 30. Among employed workers, 9.3% were underemployed, while 21.7% were not registered with the social security system in their main job.

Uruguay’s unemployment rate rose to 7.8% in March 2026 from 7.4% in February, marking the highest level since May 2025. Joblessness was slightly higher in Montevideo at 8.0% than in the rest of the country at 7.6%. By gender, the unemployment rate stood at 9.3% for women and 6.4% for men, while youth unemployment remained elevated at 25.9% and was lowest among workers aged 65 and over at 2.9%. Among those employed, 9.4% were underemployed and 22% were not registered with social security in their main job. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate edged down to 64.3% from 64.6%, and the employment rate declined to 59.3% from 59.8% in February.

Uruguay's unemployment remained unchanged at 7.4% in February 2026, maintaining the highest jobless rate since May 2025. Joblessness was slightly higher in Montevideo at 7.7% than in the rest of the country at 7.2%. By gender, unemployment stood at 6.2% for men and 8.8% for women. Youth unemployment remained elevated at 23.7% among those aged 14 to 24, while it was lowest among workers aged 65 and over at 2.1%. Among the employed, 8.8% were underemployed, and 22% were not registered with social security in their main job. The labor force participation rate remained at 64.6%, and the employment rate held steady at 59.8%.