Salario mínimo en Latinoamérica promedia los 400 dólares, con fuertes brechas entre países
El salario mínimo en Latinoamérica arrancó 2026 con un promedio cercano a los 400 dólares mensuales, pero con marcadas diferencias entre países, ajustes desiguales, alta informalidad y una pérdida sostenida del poder adquisitivo frente al costo de vida
TL;DR
- The average minimum wage in Latin America for 2026 is approximately $400, with notable disparities between countries.
- Purchasing power is declining due to inflation and high informal labor markets.
- Uruguay and Chile have the highest minimum wages, around $620 and $598 respectively.
- Colombia saw a significant 23.7% increase, raising its minimum wage to $535.
- Mexico increased its daily minimum wage, benefiting millions but raising business costs.
- Brazil's minimum wage is $295, far below the estimated cost of a family's basic needs.
- Argentina faces a critical situation with a minimum wage around $228 and a 35.2% real-term decrease in purchasing power.
- Venezuela and Cuba have extremely low minimum wages, $0.40 and $5 respectively.
- The region faces challenges in improving real income while maintaining employment and fiscal stability.