Key Facts: Uruguay vs Cuba Wages
- Uruguay Minimum Wage
- $U92.80/hr ($2.15 USD)
- Cuba Minimum Wage
- $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD)
- Uruguay Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $U55,000 /mo ($1,273.15 USD)
- Cuba Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $MN6,649 /mo ($16.22 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) (2026-02-24), Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) — Cuba (2026-02-25)
Uruguay 
Cuba
Updated 2026-02-25
The minimum wage in Uruguay is roughly 73 times higher than in Cuba in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a high-income and a upper-middle-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,273/mo in Uruguay versus $16/mo in Cuba, a 78.5:1 ratio. Cuba has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 1.8% compared to 7.5%.
Uruguay's unemployment rate is 7.5% compared to Cuba's 1.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Uruguay | Cuba |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | $U92.80 $2.15 | $MN12.12 $0.03 |
| Minimum wage /mo | $U22,268 $515.46 | $MN2,100 $5.12 |
| Minimum wage /yr | $U290,484 $6,724.17 | $MN25,200 $61.46 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $U55,000 /mo $1,273.15 | $MN6,649 /mo $16.22 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | $U42,350 /mo $980.32 | $MN6,300 /mo $15.37 |
| Median individual income /yr | $U468,000 /yr $10,833.33 | $MN48,000 /yr $117.07 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Uruguay is higher.
Work Week
- Uruguay
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 2x pay
Standard workweek is 44 hours for commerce and 48 hours for industry (Law 5,350 of 1915 and Law 7,318 of 1920). In practice, most workers work 40-44 hours. Overtime is paid at double the normal rate (100% premium). Night work (after 10pm) also attracts premium pay.
- Cuba
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.25x pay
Labour Code sets standard working hours at 8 hours/day and 44 hours/week. Overtime is paid at 125% of normal rate. Some sectors work 40 hours/week.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker moving from Cuba to Uruguay would see a 7167% increase in USD-equivalent hourly earnings.
See this comparison from Cuba's perspective: Cuba vs Uruguay
Compare Uruguay with...
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Uruguay vs China ¥ 25 /hr 
Uruguay vs Germany € 13.9 /hr 
Uruguay vs United Kingdom £ 12.71 /hr 
Uruguay vs India ₹ 4,576 /mo 
Uruguay vs Japan ¥ 1,121 /hr 
Uruguay vs France € 12.02 /hr 
Uruguay vs South Korea ₩ 10,320 /hr 
Uruguay vs Canada C$ 18.1 /hr 
Uruguay vs Australia A$ 24.95 /hr 
Uruguay vs Brazil R$ 7.37 /hr 
Uruguay vs Russia ₽ 156.31 /hr 
Uruguay vs Mexico MX$ 9,583.52 /mo 
Uruguay vs Indonesia Rp 33,058 /hr 
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Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia ﷼ 23.08 /hr 
Uruguay vs Turkey ₺ 164.94 /hr 
Uruguay vs Taiwan NT$ 190 /hr 
Uruguay vs Switzerland 
Uruguay vs Poland zł 31.4 /hr 
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Uruguay vs Singapore Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Uruguay or Cuba?
In Uruguay, the minimum wage is $U92.80/hr ($2.15 USD). In Cuba, it is $MN12.12/hr ($0.03 USD). Uruguay has the higher rate by 7167% in USD terms. That nominal gap does not account for local prices; see the purchasing power comparison below for a cost-of-living-adjusted view. Workers in Cuba may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much more does the average worker earn in Uruguay compared to Cuba?
The average gross salary in Uruguay is $U55,000/mo ($1,273.15 USD), compared to $MN6,649/mo ($16.22 USD) in Cuba. In USD terms, workers in Uruguay earn approximately 7751% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Uruguay and Cuba is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Uruguay earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cuba.
How do work hours compare between Uruguay and Cuba?
Both Uruguay and Cuba mandate a similar standard work week of 44 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.