The financial services sector grew by 5.1% in the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, driven by an expansion of the local currency financial market, mainly due to an increase in the total amount of credit granted to the public.
The professional activities and leasing sector grew by 1.9% in the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, driven by growth in administrative activities and support services, which is partly explained by a better performance in travel agency activities.
The health, education, real estate and other services sector grew by 1.5% in the three-month period ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, mainly due to an increase in real estate activities as a result of larger inbound tourism. Health services recorded a contraction resulting from the decrease in the number of COVID-19 tests carried out in laboratories.
Employment, Labor and Wages
Employment
According to estimates by the National Statistics Institute, the employment rate stood at 57.8% in May 2023 compared to 56.7% in May 2022 and the unemployment rate stood at 8.7% in May 2023, compared to 8.1% in May 2022.
In May 2023, the number of unemployment insurance beneficiaries, including partial insurance, stood at 45,181 compared to 46,501 in May 2022.
Wages
In May 2023, real wages increased by 3.2% compared to May 2022. For the 12-month period ended May 31, 2023, average real wages increased by 1.0% compared to a 1.0% decrease for the 12-month period ended May 31, 2022.
FOREIGN MERCHANDISE TRADE
In May 2023, merchandise exports totaled US$929 million, compared to US$1,228 million in May 2022, representing a 24.3% decrease.
Merchandise exports for the 12-month period ended May 31, 2023 totaled US$10,590 million, compared to US$10,730 million for the 12-month period ended May 31, 2022. Merchandise imports totaled US$12,208 million for the 12-month period ended May 31, 2023, compared to US$10,701 million for the 12-month period ended May 31, 2022.
Merchandise trade for the 12-month period ended May 31, 2023 recorded a deficit of US$1,617 million, compared to a surplus of US$30 million for the 12-month period ended May 31, 2022.
BALANCE OF PAYMENTS
Current Account
In the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, Uruguay’s current account recorded a deficit of US$440 million, compared to a deficit of US$863 million in the same period in 2022. The decrease in the current account deficit was mainly attributable to a higher trade balance surplus, partially offset by a higher primary income deficit.
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