Key Facts: Uruguay vs Singapore Wages
- Uruguay Minimum Wage
- $U92.80/hr ($2.15 USD)
- Singapore Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Uruguay Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- $U55,000 /mo ($1,273.15 USD)
- Singapore Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- S$5,800 /mo ($4,539.05 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social (MTSS) (2026-02-24), Ministry of Manpower (MOM) (2026-06-01)
Uruguay
Singapore
Updated 2026-06-01
Unlike Singapore, which has no statutory minimum wage, Uruguay mandates a wage floor of $2/hr. Average gross salaries diverge further: $1,273/mo in Uruguay versus $4,539/mo in Singapore, a 3.6:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Singapore is 4.1x that of Uruguay, underscoring the structural economic divide.
Uruguay has lower GDP per capita ($36,418 vs $150,689). Uruguay's unemployment rate is 7.5% compared to Singapore's 2.8%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Uruguay | Singapore |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | $U92.80 $2.15 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | $U22,268 $515.46 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | $U290,484 $6,724.17 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | $U55,000 /mo $1,273.15 | S$5,800 /mo $4,539.05 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | $U42,350 /mo $980.32 | S$4,930 /mo $3,858.19 |
| Median individual income /yr | $U468,000 /yr $10,833.33 | S$66,000 /yr $51,651.28 |
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.
- Singapore
-
44 hrs/wk standard
Max 44 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Employment Act caps at 44 hours/week (8 hrs/day for 5-day week, or 9 hrs/day for fewer days). Overtime pay at 1.5x hourly basic rate, applies to non-workmen earning up to SGD 2,600/mo and workmen earning up to SGD 4,500/mo. Maximum overtime: 72 hours/month.
See this comparison from Singapore's perspective: Singapore vs Uruguay
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Uruguay or Singapore?
In Uruguay, the minimum wage is $U92.80/hr ($2.15 USD). In Singapore, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Uruguay compared to Singapore?
The average gross salary in Uruguay is $U55,000/mo ($1,273.15 USD), compared to S$5,800/mo ($4,539.05 USD) in Singapore. In USD terms, workers in Uruguay earn approximately 257% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Uruguay and Singapore is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Singapore earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Uruguay.
How do work hours compare between Uruguay and Singapore?
Both Uruguay and Singapore 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.
What is the cost of living difference between Uruguay and Singapore?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Singapore has the higher GDP per capita at $150,689, which is 4.1x that of Uruguay at $36,418. From Uruguay's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower economic level. A higher GDP per capita generally correlates with higher wages, higher consumer prices, and greater availability of goods and services. Workers moving between these two countries should expect significant differences in rent, food, and transportation costs.