Argentina's Informal Employment Hits 44.2% in Q1 2026 as 5.9 Million Work Off the Books
Updated
Updated · UPI News · Jun 26
Argentina's Informal Employment Hits 44.2% in Q1 2026 as 5.9 Million Work Off the Books
2 articles · Updated · UPI News · Jun 26
Summary
44.2% of Argentine workers were in informal jobs in the first quarter, up 2.2 percentage points from a year earlier and the highest rate since records began in 2023.
5.9 million people in the 31 largest urban areas worked without social security registration, leaving many without pension contributions, employer health coverage or full dismissal protections.
7.8% unemployment and 11.1% underemployment underscored broader labor-market strain, with analysts linking the rise to weak activity that pushes displaced workers into self-employment, domestic work and temporary jobs.
2024 labor-rule changes that cut penalties for failing to register workers have drawn scrutiny, though other experts say the newer formalization regime launched in May needs more time and stronger demand before formal hiring improves.