Brazil’s minimum wage ranks 15th in Latin America, despite raise
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Latin America has felt the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic in several economic sectors. Unemployment, escalating inflation and currency devaluation were among the damages caused by the crisis. Consequently, the population has seen the purchasing power of the minimum wage plummet in the past few years.
In Brazil, the government’s initial proposal sent to Congress was for a minimum wage of R$1,169 (US$214.3) for 2022. However, adjustments were required due to higher than expected inflation. Ultimately, the amount was set at R$1,212. Based on the average week recognized by the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT), of 220 hours, the working hour amounts to R$5.51.
At the current exchange rate, the Brazilian minimum wage is equivalent to about US$224, with an hour of work at US$1.01. Among the 20 Latin American countries, it ranks 15th.
Only 5 countries are below Brazil in this respect:
Dominican Republic – US$205;
Nicaragua – US$125
Cuba – US$79
Haiti – US$74;
Venezuela – US$1.52.
The Venezuelan case is the most critical. Since the floor was announced in May 2021, the country’s purchasing power has slumped 30%. Currently, the hour worked is worth only US$0.006.
According to Venezuela’s Teachers Federation Documentation and Social Analysis Center, the price of the basic food basket in the country is US$340. That is, the local population would need 156 minimum wages to buy a basket of basic goods.
COSTA RICA HAS THE BEST FLOOR
At the other end of the ranking is Costa Rica, with the highest salary floor in Latin America. The local government sets different values for each type of worker, but even the lowest set for workers in unskilled occupations is US$514. The value of an hour worked is US$2.33.
According to the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses, the price of the Costa Rican basic basket is US$51.2. By way of comparison, the Brazilian basket is more than twice as expensive, sold at US$126.7.
In 2nd place comes Uruguay, with a minimum wage of US$434, and an hour worked at US$1.97. In 3rd and 4th place, respectively, are Ecuador, with US$425, and Chile, with US$420.
COUNTRY/SALARY
Costa Rica US$514
Uruguay US$434
Ecuador US$425
Chile US$420
Guatemala US$405
Paraguay US$329
Bolivia US$314
Argentina US$307
Panama US$290
Honduras US$287
Mexico US$257
Colombia US$252
El Salvador US$243
Peru US$242
Brazil US$225
Dominican Republic US$205
Nicaragua US$125
Cuba US$79
Haiti US$74
Venezuela US$2.17
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This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated AI newsroom. Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief. The Rio Times also runs Ask Rio Times, which answers from 100,000+ of our own articles, the daily Latin America Power Map, and prediction-market odds on elections and markets.. How we use AI · Report an error
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