Argentina households lose 12% of disposable income as utility costs surge

A report from the Changómetro "Edición Bolsillo" of the Argentine financial analysis group FADA shows that between December 2022 and July 2026, Argentine workers see a sharp erosion in their disposable income. After paying for basic services—electricity, gas, water and transport—households retain only 88 % of each 100 000 pesos earned, a loss of roughly 12 000 pesos compared with 2022.

Over the same period, salaries rose 795 % while overall inflation climbed 925 %, but service tariffs increased 1 210 %. The faster rise of mandatory utility bills has reduced the share of income available for food, clothing, leisure, savings or debt repayment, leaving families with 12 % less purchasing power than in December 2022. The surge in service costs began with a tariff update process that started at the end of 2023.