In Uruguayseven out of 10 workers declare themselves happy or very happy with their workalthough 46% of workers say they have moderate or high levels of stress, according to the Job Happiness Index (IFL), a study carried out by the consulting firm SSOL, CPA Ferrere and the Center for Happiness Studies of the IEEM, the business school of the University of Montevideo.
The investigation, presented this morning, gathered the opinion of 3,455 workers from the public and private sectors, from different activities and from the 19 departments of the country. The work happiness indicator measures aspects such as balance between personal and work life, remuneration, recognition, leadership, emotional well-being, development opportunities, ties with colleagues and the purpose of work.
Among the main conclusions, the index detected that 69% of those surveyed consider themselves happy or very happy with their job, three percentage points less than in 2025. However, when considering the set of indicators that make up the index, 47% remain at the low level of work happiness38% in the moderate and 15% in the high.
“One of the main findings is the difference between declared happiness and average work well-being,” said CPA Ferrere about that. gap and highlighted the importance of analyzing the different dimensions that make up the work experience, beyond the general perception of happiness.
When asked about the most important aspects for personal satisfaction, on average, the three most valued dimensions were: companionship, purpose; and schedule and flexibility.
Among the indicators that require attention, according to the report, the stress appears first. 24% of workers report high levels, three percentage points more than in the previous edition, while another 22% report moderate levels. At the other extreme, 20% say they have a very low level of stress and 34%, low.
The data also reflects signs of dissatisfaction with professional development opportunities. On this point, 50% of those surveyed are little or not at all satisfied with the growth possibilities and progress that your work offers you. Regarding training and professional development, 56% say they are satisfied, while 44% are not.
He recognition It is another aspect with less favorable results with 61% of workers who feel valued or highly valued for the work they do, while 23% consider that they receive little recognition or little praise for doing their task well.
“Recognition has one of the lowest averages in the study,” the report indicated, adding that it is a “concrete opportunity” for companies to improve in 2027 since just over half of the country’s workers feel they receive recognition or praise.
The perception about wages It also worsened compared to the previous year. When asked about the extent to which workers feel that their work is well paid, 62% consider it to be finewhich meant a drop of three percentage points compared to the 2025 record.
8% consider that their work is “very poorly” paid, 30% “badly”, 54% affirm that their work is “well paid” and 8% consider that it is “very well”.
Among the best evaluated indicators, 78% of workers affirm that they can maintain a healthy balance between their work and personal life. In addition, 73% say they have flexibility to organize their schedules when they need it.
The treatment of superiors also had a favorable evaluation, with 74% who consider that their boss treats them with respect and consideration. In turn, 75% perceive job stability, three percentage points more than in 2025.
In relation to the meaning of work74% consider that the mission or purpose of the organization they work for makes their work important. The indicator increased two percentage points compared to last year.
Besides, 58% said they have at least one friend at work“which drives cohesion, motivation and belonging,” the report noted. On the contrary, the fact that four out of 10 do not identify friendship ties at work “can be associated with disconnection and risk of disengagement” from the company, the report added.
When asked about the work environment66% consider that they work in a comfortable environment, four percentage points less than in 2025. The question includes conditions such as temperature, noise, air quality and jobs. 34% said they were “very satisfied”, 32% “satisfied”, 17% responded “neutral”.
On the other hand, for 56% of those consulted the telecommuting is “very important”, for 23% it is “important”, while for 13% it is “neutral” and for 8% it is “unimportant”.
He telecommuting “It is highly valued,” the report indicated, since “eight out of 10 who telework value it positively and their work happiness index is 6% higher” than the rest.
In relation to rest, the report found that 68% of the workers consulted claim to have adequate and respected breaks, four percentage points more than the previous year’s figure.
What is the situation by gender and at the country level?
“The gender gap persists: half of women have a low IFL,” indicated the report, which found that among women, 49% register a low level of work happiness, compared to 42% of men.
The gap also appears by age since half of workers between 18 and 29 years old have a low IFL, compared to 48% of those between 30 and 44 years old and 44% of those between 45 and 59 years old.
The report also measured geographical location and found that in the interior of the country, 53% of workers have a low level of work happiness, compared to 33% in Montevideo and the metropolitan area. In this last area, 16% reach a high level and 51% a moderate level. Inside, those proportions are 13% and 34%, respectively.
Due to employment status, public employees They concentrate the highest proportion of workers with a low index, with 51%. On the other hand, among the independent workers29% reach a high level.
Source: www.elpais.com.uy
