Share of workers in vulnerable employment in Uruguay
Uruguay: Share of workers in vulnerable employment was 24.4% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Share of workers in vulnerable employment in Uruguay, 1991–2025
Source: International Labour Organization (ILOEST/ILOSTAT) and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Uruguay recorded 24.4% for share of workers in vulnerable employment in 2025.
The figure is down 0.6% on the previous year and up 6.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of workers in vulnerable employment in Uruguay peaked at 26.1% in 2003 and was at its lowest, 22.2%, in 2014.
That places Uruguay 104th out of 186 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
Share of workers in vulnerable employment in Uruguay, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 23.6% | — |
| 1992 | 23.4% | -0.9% |
| 1993 | 23.3% | -0.6% |
| 1994 | 23.0% | -0.9% |
| 1995 | 22.9% | -0.7% |
| 1996 | 22.7% | -0.7% |
| 1997 | 22.5% | -0.8% |
| 1998 | 22.4% | -0.7% |
| 1999 | 23.2% | +3.7% |
| 2000 | 23.1% | -0.6% |
| 2001 | 24.6% | +6.8% |
| 2002 | 26.0% | +5.5% |
| 2003 | 26.1% | +0.5% |
| 2004 | 25.8% | -1.4% |
| 2005 | 24.5% | -4.9% |
| 2006 | 24.8% | +1.4% |
| 2007 | 24.9% | +0.1% |
| 2008 | 24.4% | -1.8% |
| 2009 | 24.2% | -0.8% |
| 2010 | 23.5% | -3.1% |
| 2011 | 22.7% | -3.2% |
| 2012 | 22.2% | -2.3% |
| 2013 | 22.3% | +0.2% |
| 2014 | 22.2% | -0.4% |
| 2015 | 22.9% | +3.5% |
| 2016 | 23.5% | +2.5% |
| 2017 | 23.8% | +1.1% |
| 2018 | 24.2% | +1.9% |
| 2019 | 24.2% | -0.2% |
| 2020 | 24.9% | +2.9% |
| 2021 | 24.8% | -0.3% |
| 2022 | 24.7% | -0.4% |
| 2023 | 24.6% | -0.4% |
| 2024 | 24.5% | -0.5% |
| 2025 | 24.4% | -0.6% |
Uruguay compared with similar countries
- Uruguay's 24.4% is above the median for high income countries, which is 9.5%, 2.6× the median. (62 countries reporting)
- Uruguay's 24.4% is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 26.1%, 93% of the median. (31 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 23.0% | 22.4% | 23.6% | 9 |
| 2000s | 24.8% | 23.1% | 26.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 23.1% | 22.2% | 24.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 24.7% | 24.4% | 24.9% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Uruguay
More work & labour data for Uruguay
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -1.02 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -1 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -1.03 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.72 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.0269 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 3,567 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 95.27 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 1,144 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 1,102 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 2,246 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of workers in vulnerable employment in Uruguay?
- Share of workers in vulnerable employment in Uruguay was 24.4% in 2025, according to International Labour Organization (ILOEST/ILOSTAT) and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of workers in vulnerable employment recorded in Uruguay?
- The highest recorded value was 26.1% in 2003.
- What is the lowest share of workers in vulnerable employment recorded in Uruguay?
- The lowest recorded value was 22.2% in 2014.
- How does Uruguay rank for share of workers in vulnerable employment?
- Uruguay ranks 104th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of workers in vulnerable employment rising or falling in Uruguay?
- Over the last ten years it is up 6.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Uruguay data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization (ILOEST/ILOSTAT) and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of workers in vulnerable employment. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of employed population who are working as independent own-account workers (self-employed without staff), or contributing family workers (self-employed in a household business or farm).