These are the countries that lead the ranking.
News Colombia.
With a monthly income close to US$540 earned by Colombians who earn the minimum wage, our country is ranked as the fifth country with the highest minimum wage in Latin America, according to the regional ranking that compares the minimum incomes of 14 nations in the region by 2025. The figure leaves the country above economies such as Ecuador, Guatemala and Brazil, but still far from the first places on the list.
See: Minimum wage in Colombia will reach $2 million in 2026: 23% increase and its impact on workers and the economy
The ranking is led by Costa Rica, which tops the list with a minimum monthly salary of US$725, consolidating itself as the country with the best minimum income in the region. Mexico appears in second place, with US$641, followed by Uruguay with US$599 and Chile with US$594, countries that surpass Colombia by a narrow margin.
With the increase in the minimum wage and an income for workers of US$539.6, Colombia consolidates itself as the fifth country among those with the highest minimum wages in Latin America, well above Ecuador, Guatemala and Boliviahttps://t.co/hsUV1zNJae
— Diario La República (@larepublica_co) December 30, 2025
In the Colombian case, the minimum wage reaches US$539.6, a figure that allows it to remain within the group of the first five, but also shows the challenges faced with the cost of living, inflation and the real purchasing power of workers. Although the increase has been significant in recent years, the debate remains open as to whether this income is sufficient to cover basic needs.
Below Colombia are Ecuador with US$482, Guatemala with US$478 and Bolivia with US$469, countries where the minimum monthly income is considerably lower. Paraguay (US$422) and El Salvador (US$351) appear further down the list, showing a significant wage gap within the region.
At the bottom of the ranking are Panama with US$341, Peru with US$332, Brazil with US$294 and Argentina, which closes the list with US$247 per month. These values reflect the profound economic and labor differences between Latin American countries, influenced by factors such as inflation, productivity and salary policies.
The regional panorama shows that, although Colombia maintains a relatively favorable position in comparative terms, the challenge remains to convert that minimum wage into an income that guarantees decent living conditions. Experts warn that not only the dollar amount matters, but also its relationship with the cost of living, formal employment and the economic stability of each country.
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