Uruguay’s real GDP decreased 0.5% in the six-month period ended June 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. This decrease in real GDP was mainly driven by decreases in the primary activities, manufacturing and electricity, gas and water sectors, which have been affected by a severe drought and lower regional and global demand. See “The Economy—2022: Continued Recovery and Growth—Impact of the Drought on the Economy.”
Primary activities contracted by 18.4% in the six-month period ended June 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, mainly driven by decreases in the agricultural sector, mainly due to low yields in the summer crop harvest as a result of the drought, and in the livestock sector, mainly due to a reduction of production in beef cattle caused by a drop in slaughtering.
The manufacturing sector contracted by 0.2% during this period, mainly due to a reduction in food production, particularly in the refrigeration industry. This decrease was partially offset by an expansion in the pulp manufacturing activities.
The electricity, gas and water sector contracted by 6.3% in the six-month period ended June 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, mainly due to decreases in electric power generation exports, particularly hydroelectric generation due to the impact of the drought, and an increase in energy imports, mainly from Brazil.
The construction sector contracted by 2.3% in the six-month period ended June 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, mainly due to a decrease in buildings and a reduction in investments for the construction of a third pulp mill and lower investments in the central railroad. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in road works and energy lines.
The commerce, restaurants and hotel sectors grew by 1.6% in the six-month period ended June 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, mainly driven by an increase in household and non-resident tourist demand for restaurant and hotel services.
The transportation, storage, information, and communications sector grew by 4.9% in the six-month period ended June 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, mainly driven by greater production of information and communications services due to higher external demand and a growth in data services production.
The financial services sector grew by 0.9% in the six-month period ended June 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2023, driven by an expansion of the 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 3.3% in the six-month period ended June 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, mainly driven by growth in administrative activities and support services.
The health, education, real estate and other services sector grew by 1.2% in the six-month period ended June 30, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, mainly due to an increase in real estate activities as a result of larger inbound tourism and an increase in the production of recreational and leisure activities. 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 58.5% in September 2023 compared to 56.7% in September 2022 and the unemployment rate stood at 8.3% in September 2023, compared to 7.9% in September 2022.
In September 2023, the number of health insurance beneficiaries stood at 51,934, compared to 49,055 in September 2022. In September 2023, the number of unemployment insurance beneficiaries, including partial insurance, stood at 40,839, compared to 48,460 in September 2022.
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