Salaries in Argentina ended 2025 trailing behind inflation, further delaying the recovery of purchasing power for workers. According to a report from the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (Indec), recorded salaries increased by 28.8% over the year, whereas inflation surged by 31.5% during the same period. This imbalance indicates that despite nominal increases in salaries, real income has diminished due to higher costs of living, affecting the financial stability of families across the nation.

In December 2025, recorded salaries experienced a modest 2% increase compared to November. However, even that increment failed to keep up with inflation, which rose by 2.8% during the same month. This continued erosion of real wages underscores the pressing economic challenges faced by workers in Argentina, where salary growth does not match the rising prices of essential goods and services, making basic necessities increasingly unaffordable for many.

Interestingly, the general salary index, which includes informal workers, did outpace inflation in 2025, growing by 38.2%. This suggests that while formal wages are lagging, the broader labor market, especially informal employment, may be experiencing different dynamics possibly due to varying economic conditions. Nevertheless, the overall trend of inadequate salary growth relative to inflation raises concerns about the long-term viability of wage growth and economic recovery in Argentina's labor market.