Uruguay Services Employment
Employment in services SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS
Uruguay's services employment was 73.15% in 2025, ranked 139th globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Uruguay's services employment stood at 73.15% in 2025, a rise of +0.23% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 72.91% by 2026. Uruguay ranked 139th globally.
Uruguay’s services sector has become the dominant source of employment, with 73.15 % of the labor force working in services in 2025, placing the country 139th globally. The share has risen steadily over 35 years, climbing from an all‑time trough of 62.48 % in 1991 to an all‑time peak of 73.63 % in 2019 before a modest dip to the current level. This upward trajectory mirrors the structural shift observed in other advanced economies; for example, Greece recorded 73.01 % and Kuwait 73.50 % in the same year, indicating that Uruguay is now aligned with the service‑intensive profiles of both developed and high‑income nations. The persistence of a high services employment share suggests a continued reallocation of resources away from agriculture and manufacturing, driven by expanding tourism, finance and digital services. Maintaining this momentum will likely depend on policies that enhance skill development and digital infrastructure, which could push the services share beyond the 2019 peak in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Services Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 72.83% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 72.87% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 72.91% | - | - |
| 2025 | 73.15% | +0.23% | #139 |
| 2024 | 72.92% | +0.28% | #139 |
| 2023 | 72.64% | −0.69% | #140 |
| 2022 | 73.33% | +0.18% | #148 |
| 2021 | 73.15% | −0.34% | #147 |
| 2020 | 73.50% | −0.13% | #147 |
| 2019 | 73.63% | +0.34% | #150 |
| 2018 | 73.29% | +0.92% | #150 |
| 2017 | 72.37% | −0.24% | #147 |
| 2016 | 72.61% | +1.02% | #147 |
| 2015 | 71.59% | +0.85% | #145 |
| 2014 | 70.74% | +0.70% | #142 |
| 2013 | 70.04% | −1.14% | #140 |
| 2012 | 71.19% | +0.94% | #147 |
| 2011 | 70.25% | +2.50% | #143 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Uruguay matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2020. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw services employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Uruguay's services employment was 73.15% in 2025. Ranked 139th globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from the previous year.
Uruguay's services employment peaked at 73.63% in 2019.
The lowest services employment in Uruguay was 62.48% in 1991.
Uruguay ranks 139th globally in services employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Uruguay's services employment is projected to reach 72.91% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The services employment of Uruguay in 2025 was 73.15%. This ranks 139th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_uruguay_services-employment,
title = {Uruguay Services Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/uruguay/services-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}