World · permanent entity record · UY
Uruguay
Thirty-second orientation
Uruguay at a glance
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Uruguayan(s); adjective: Uruguayan
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Government
- presidential republic
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Languages
- Spanish (official, Rioplatense is the most widely spoken dialect)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history
Uruguay through time
Admitted to the United Nations
Uruguay became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04
Source history · changed fields only
Changes since the final CIA profile
| Field | Maintained Almanac value | Final CIA profile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,384,688World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025 | total: 3,449,444 (2025 est.) male: 1,678,419 female: 1,771,025CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-19 |
A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.
World Development Indicators · latest available observation
People, economy, and access
Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.
- Gross domestic product
- $85.3 billion
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Gross domestic product per person
- $25,216
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Life expectancy at birth
- 78.3 years
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Urban population
- 95.7%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Access to electricity
- 100.0%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- People using the internet
- 92.0%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Source footnote: Source and notes: Instituto Nacional de Estadistica, Retrieved 2026-09-08.
World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.
Maintained profile
- Capital
- Montevideo
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
- Area
- 176,215 sq km
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
- Population
- 3,384,688
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Currency
- Uruguayan pesos (UYU)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
- Languages
- Spanish (official, Rioplatense is the most widely spoken dialect)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Uruguayan(s); adjective: Uruguayan
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
- Continent
- South America
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “South America.”
- Coastline
- 660 km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Climate
- warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Religions
- Roman Catholic 36.5%, Protestant 5% (Evangelical (non-specific) 4.6%, Adventist 0.2%, Protestant (non-specific) 0.3%), African American Cults/Umbanda 2.8%, Jehovah's Witness 0.6%, Church of Jesus Christ 0.2%, other 1%, Believer (not belonging to the church) 1.8%, agnostic 0.3%, atheist 1.3%, none 47.3%, unspecified 3.4% Roman Catholic 42%, Protestant 15%, other 6%, agnostic 3%, atheist 10%, unspecified 24% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Flag colors
- white, blue, yellow, black
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
- National symbol
- Sun of May (a sun-with-face symbol)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Highest point
- Cerro Catedral · 1,686 ft (514 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Lowest point
- Atlantic Ocean · 0 ft (0 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- NATO membership
- Not a member
- NATO, What is NATO? · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
- BRICS membership
- Not a member
- BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data
Final CIA World Factbook profile
This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b
Introduction1 fields
- Background
- The Spanish founded the city of Montevideo in modern-day Uruguay in 1726 as a military stronghold, and it soon became an important commercial center due to its natural harbor. Argentina initially claimed Uruguay, but Brazil annexed the country in 1821. Uruguay declared its independence in 1825 and secured its freedom in 1828 after a three-year struggle. The administrations of President Jose BATLLE in the early 20th century launched widespread political, social, and economic reforms that established a statist tradition. A violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement named the Tupamaros (or Movimiento de Liberación Nacional-Tupamaros) launched in the late 1960s and pushed Uruguay's president to cede control of the government to the military in 1973. By year-end, the rebels had been crushed, but the military continued to expand its hold over the government. Civilian rule was restored in 1985. In 2004, the left-of-center Frente Amplio (FA) Coalition won national elections that effectively ended 170 years of political control by the Colorado and National (Blanco) parties. The left-of-center coalition retained the presidency and control of both chambers of congress until 2019. Uruguay's political and labor conditions are among the freest on the South American continent.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography20 fields
- Location
- Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area
- total : 176,215 sq km land: 175,015 sq km water: 1,200 sq km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area - comparative
- about the size of Virginia and West Virginia combined; slightly smaller than the state of Washington
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land boundaries
- total: 1,591 km border countries (2): Argentina 541 km; Brazil 1,050 km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maritime claims
- territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or the edge of continental margin
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Terrain
- mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Elevation
- highest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 109 m
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural resources
- arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fish
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 81.4% (2023 est.) arable land: 12.6% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 68.6% (2023 est.) forest: 11.4% (2023 est.) other: 7.3% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major lakes (area sq km)
- salt water lake(s): Lagoa Mirim (shared with Brazil) - 2,970 sq km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major rivers (by length in km)
- Rio de la Plata/Parana river mouth (shared with Brazil [s], Argentina, Paraguay) - 4,880 km; Uruguay river mouth (shared with Brazil [s] and Argentina) - 1,610 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- most of the country's population resides in the southern half of the country; approximately 80% of the populace is urban; nearly half of the population lives in and around the capital of Montevideo
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural hazards
- seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasional violent wind that blows north from the Argentine pampas), droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains, which act as weather barriers, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapid changes from weather fronts
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Geography - note
- second-smallest South American country (after Suriname); most of the low-lying landscape (three-quarters of the country) is grassland, ideal for cattle and sheep
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
People and Society34 fields
- Population
- total: 3,449,444 (2025 est.) male: 1,678,419 female: 1,771,025
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Nationality
- noun: Uruguayan(s) adjective: Uruguayan
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ethnic groups
- White 87.7%, Black 4.6%, Indigenous 2.4%, other 0.3%, none or unspecified 5% (2011 est.) note: data represent primary ethnic identity
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Languages
- Spanish (official, Rioplatense is the most widely spoken dialect) major-language sample(s): La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Religions
- Roman Catholic 36.5%, Protestant 5% (Evangelical (non-specific) 4.6%, Adventist 0.2%, Protestant (non-specific) 0.3%), African American Cults/Umbanda 2.8%, Jehovah's Witness 0.6%, Church of Jesus Christ 0.2%, other 1%, Believer (not belonging to the church) 1.8%, agnostic 0.3%, atheist 1.3%, none 47.3%, unspecified 3.4% Roman Catholic 42%, Protestant 15%, other 6%, agnostic 3%, atheist 10%, unspecified 24% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Age structure
- 0-14 years: 18.9% (male 329,268/female 317,925) 15-64 years: 65.4% (male 1,112,622/female 1,128,418) 65 years and over: 15.7% (2024 est.) (male 218,242/female 318,855)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Dependency ratios
- total dependency ratio: 48.7 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 26.2 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 22.5 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 4.4 (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Median age
- total: 37.4 years (2025 est.) male: 34.9 years female: 38.2 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Birth rate
- 9.05 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Death rate
- 9.88 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Net migration rate
- 0.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- most of the country's population resides in the southern half of the country; approximately 80% of the populace is urban; nearly half of the population lives in and around the capital of Montevideo
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 95.8% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.4% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major urban areas - population
- 1.774 million MONTEVIDEO (capital) (2023)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sex ratio
- at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maternal mortality ratio
- 15 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Infant mortality rate
- total: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 9.1 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.8 deaths/1,000 live births
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Life expectancy at birth
- total population: 78.9 years (2024 est.) male: 75.8 years female: 82.1 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total fertility rate
- 1.27 children born/woman (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Drinking water source
- urban: 99.7% of population (2022 est.) rural: 95.3% of population (2022 est.) total: 99.5% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0.3% of population (2022 est.) rural: 4.7% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.5% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Health expenditure
- 9.4% of GDP (2021) 20.9% of national budget (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Physician density
- 4.67 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Hospital bed density
- 2.5 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sanitation facility access
- urban: 99.3% of population (2022 est.) rural: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 99.3% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0.7% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.7% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Alcohol consumption per capita
- total: 5.42 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 1.86 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 2.86 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.71 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Tobacco use
- total: 18% (2025 est.) male: 21.3% (2025 est.) female: 14.9% (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Children under the age of 5 years underweight
- 1.8% (2018 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Currently married women (ages 15-49)
- 55.4% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Education expenditure
- 4.8% of GDP (2023 est.) 15.6% national budget (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Literacy
- total population: 98.9% (2024 est.) male: 98.6% (2024 est.) female: 99.2% (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
- total: 18 years (2022 est.) male: 16 years (2022 est.) female: 19 years (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Environment12 fields
- Environmental issues
- water pollution from meat-packing, tannery industries; heavy metal pollution; inadequate solid and hazardous waste disposal; deforestation
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International environmental agreements
- party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Life Conservation
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 81.4% (2023 est.) arable land: 12.6% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 68.6% (2023 est.) forest: 11.4% (2023 est.) other: 7.3% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 95.8% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.4% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Carbon dioxide emissions
- 6.896 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 39,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 6.681 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 177,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Particulate matter emissions
- 8.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Methane emissions
- energy: 18.1 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 730.6 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 115.4 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 2.8 kt (2019-2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Waste and recycling
- municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.26 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 24.8% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total water withdrawal
- municipal: 424.428 million cubic meters (2022) industrial: 603.701 million cubic meters (2022) agricultural: 3.479 billion cubic meters (2022)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total renewable water resources
- 172.2 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Geoparks
- total global geoparks and regional networks: 1 global geoparks and regional networks: Grutas del Palacio (2023)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government25 fields
- Country name
- conventional long form: Oriental Republic of Uruguay conventional short form: Uruguay local long form: República Oriental del Uruguay local short form: Uruguay former: Banda Oriental, Cisplatine Province etymology: name derives from the Uruguay River, which makes up the western border of the country; the river's name comes from the Guarani words uru (bird) and guay (tail)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Capital
- name: Montevideo geographic coordinates: 34 51 S, 56 10 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the origin of the name is disputed but refers to a hill or mountain (monte); one theory combines the Spanish word monte (mountain) with the Latin video (I see)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Administrative divisions
- 19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandú, Rio Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San José, Soriano, Tacuarembó, Treinta y Tres
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legal system
- civil law system based on the Spanish civil code
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Constitution
- history: several previous; latest approved by plebiscite 27 November 1966, effective 15 February 1967, reinstated in 1985 at the conclusion of military rule amendment process: initiated by public petition of at least 10% of qualified voters, proposed by agreement of at least two fifths of the General Assembly membership, or by existing "constitutional laws" sanctioned by at least two thirds of the membership in both houses of the Assembly; proposals can also be submitted by senators, representatives, or by the executive power and require the formation of and approval in a national constituent convention; final passage by either method requires approval by absolute majority of votes cast in a referendum
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International law organization participation
- accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Citizenship
- citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 3-5 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Suffrage
- 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Executive branch
- chief of state: President Yamandú ORSI Martínez (since 1 March 2025) head of government: President Yamandú ORSI Martínez (since 1 March 2025) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president with approval of the General Assembly election/appointment process: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute-majority vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for nonconsecutive terms) most recent election date: 27 October 2024, with a runoff on 24 November 2024 election results: 2024: Yamandú ORSI Martínez elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Yamandú ORSI Martínez (FA) 46.2%, Álvaro Luis DELGADO Ceretta (PN) 28.2%, Andrés OJEDA Ojeda Spitz (PC) 16.9%, other 8.7%; percent of vote in second round - Yamandú ORSI Martínez 52.1%, Álvaro Luis DELGADO Ceretta 47.9% 2019: Luis Alberto LACALLE POU elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Daniel MARTINEZ (FA) 40.7%, Luis Alberto LACALLE POU (PN) 29.7%, Ernesto TALVI (Colorado Party) 12.8%, Guido MANINI RIOS (Open Cabildo) 11.3%, other 5.5%; percent of vote in second round - Luis Alberto LACALLE POU 50.6%, Daniel MARTINEZ 49.4% expected date of next election: 28 October 2029, with a runoff, if needed, on 25 November 2029 note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch
- legislature name: General Assembly (Asamblea General) legislative structure: bicameral
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch - lower chamber
- chamber name: House of Representatives (Cámara de Representantes) number of seats: 99 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 10/27/2024 parties elected and seats per party: Broad Front (FA) (48); National Party (PN) (29); Colorado Party (PC) (17); Other (5) percentage of women in chamber: 31.3% expected date of next election: October 2029
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch - upper chamber
- chamber name: Senate (Cámara de Senadores) number of seats: 31 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 10/27/2024 parties elected and seats per party: Broad Front (FA) (16); National Party (PN) (9); Colorado Party (PC) (5) percentage of women in chamber: 32.3% expected date of next election: October 2029
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Judicial branch
- highest court(s): Supreme Court of Justice (consists of 5 judges) judge selection and term of office: judges nominated by the president and appointed by two-thirds vote in joint conference of the General Assembly; judges serve 10-year terms, with reelection possible after a lapse of 5 years following the previous term subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; District Courts (Juzgados Letrados); Peace Courts (Juzgados de Paz); Rural Courts (Juzgados Rurales)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Political parties
- Broad Front or FA (Frente Amplio) - (a broad governing coalition that comprises 34 factions including Popular Participation Movement or MPP, Uruguay Assembly, Progressive Alliance, Broad Social Democratic Space, Socialist Party, Vertiente Artiguista, Christian Democratic Party, Big House, Communist Party, The Federal League, Fuerza Renovadora) Colorado Party or PC (including Batllistas and Ciudadanos) Intransigent Radical Ecologist Party (Partido Ecologista Radical Intransigente) or PERI Independent Party National Party or PN (including Todos (Everyone) and National Alliance) Open Cabildo Popular Unity
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel CASTILLOS Gómez (since 5 September 2025) chancery: 1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313 FAX: [1] (202) 331-8142 email address and website: urueeuu@mrree.gub.uy https://embassyofuruguay.us/ consulate(s) general: Miami, New York, San Francisco
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador Lou RINALDI (since 30 September 2025) embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200 mailing address: 3360 Montevideo Place, Washington DC 20521-3360 telephone: (+598) 1770-2000 FAX: [+598] 1770-2128 email address and website: MontevideoACS@state.gov https://uy.usembassy.gov/
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International organization participation
- CAN (associate), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OIF (observer), OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National holiday
- Independence Day, 25 August (1825)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Flag
- description: nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating with blue; a white square in the upper-left corner has a yellow sun with a human face (outlined in black) known as the Sun of May, with 16 rays that alternate between triangular and wavy meaning: the stripes represent the country's nine original departments; the sun refers to the legend of the sun breaking through the clouds on 25 May 1810 as independence was declared from Spain; the sun is said to be Inti, the Inca god of the sun note: the banner was inspired by the national colors of Argentina and the design of the US flag
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National symbol(s)
- Sun of May (a sun-with-face symbol)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National anthem(s)
- title: "Himno Nacional" (National Anthem of Uruguay) lyrics/music: Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/Francisco Jose DEBALI history: adopted 1848; the anthem is also known as "Orientales, la Patria o la tumba!" ("Uruguayans, the Fatherland or Death!"); it is the world's longest national anthem in terms of music (105 bars; almost five minutes); usually only the first verse and chorus are sung
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National heritage
- total World Heritage Sites: 3 (all cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Historic City of Colonia del Sacramento; Fray Bentos Industrial Landscape; The work of engineer Eladio Dieste: Church of Atlántida
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Economy31 fields
- Economic overview
- high-income, export-oriented South American economy; South America’s largest middle class; low socioeconomic inequality; growing homicide rates; growing Chinese and EU relations; 2019 Argentine recession hurt; key milk, beef, rice, and wool exporter
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
- $108.502 billion (2024 est.) $105.231 billion (2023 est.) $104.456 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP growth rate
- 3.1% (2024 est.) 0.7% (2023 est.) 4.5% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP per capita
- $32,000 (2024 est.) $31,100 (2023 est.) $30,800 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP (official exchange rate)
- $80.962 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Inflation rate (consumer prices)
- 4.8% (2024 est.) 5.9% (2023 est.) 9.1% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- agriculture: 6.4% (2024 est.) industry: 16.8% (2024 est.) services: 65.3% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by end use
- household consumption: 66.8% (2015 est.) government consumption: 13.8% (2015 est.) investment in fixed capital: 19.8% (2015 est.) investment in inventories: -0.1% (2015 est.) exports of goods and services: 22.5% (2015 est.) imports of goods and services: -22.9% (2015 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Agricultural products
- milk, rice, wheat, barley, soybeans, beef, rapeseed, sugarcane, maize, beef offal (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industries
- food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, textiles, chemicals, beverages
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industrial production growth rate
- 4.4% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Labor force
- 1.768 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Unemployment rate
- 8.5% (2024 est.) 8.4% (2023 est.) 7.9% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
- total: 26.4% (2024 est.) male: 23.5% (2024 est.) female: 29.8% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population below poverty line
- 10.1% (2023 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
- 40.9 (2023 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Average household expenditures
- on food: 18.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 1.2% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Household income or consumption by percentage share
- lowest 10%: 2.1% (2023 est.) highest 10%: 30.8% (2023 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Remittances
- 0.2% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.2% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Budget
- revenues: $27.781 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $17.808 billion (2023 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Public debt
- 62.4% of GDP (2023 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Taxes and other revenues
- 18.7% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Current account balance
- -$821.38 million (2024 est.) -$2.64 billion (2023 est.) -$2.675 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports
- $23.329 billion (2024 est.) $21.946 billion (2023 est.) $23.56 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - partners
- China 21%, Brazil 17%, USA 8%, Argentina 5%, Netherlands 5% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - commodities
- wood pulp, beef, milk, rice, wood (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports
- $19.117 billion (2024 est.) $19.259 billion (2023 est.) $19.639 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - partners
- Brazil 22%, China 18%, Argentina 11%, USA 9%, Nigeria 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - commodities
- crude petroleum, refined petroleum, cars, trucks, fertilizers (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
- $17.378 billion (2024 est.) $16.257 billion (2023 est.) $15.127 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exchange rates
- Uruguayan pesos (UYU) per US dollar - 40.213 (2024 est.) 38.824 (2023 est.) 41.171 (2022 est.) 43.555 (2021 est.) 42.013 (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy7 fields
- Electricity access
- electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity
- installed generating capacity: 5.682 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 9.826 billion kWh (2023 est.) exports: 2 billion kWh (2023 est.) imports: 84 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 1.136 billion kWh (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity generation sources
- fossil fuels: 8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 3.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 37% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 27.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 23.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Coal
- consumption: 8,000 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 13,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Petroleum
- total petroleum production: 400 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 50,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural gas
- consumption: 90.018 million cubic meters (2023 est.) imports: 90.871 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Energy consumption per capita
- 45.755 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Communications6 fields
- Telephones - fixed lines
- total subscriptions: 1.205 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 36 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Telephones - mobile cellular
- total subscriptions: 4.93 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 146 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadcast media
- mix of privately owned and state-run broadcast media; over 100 commercial radio stations and about 20 TV channels; cable TV is available; many community radio and TV stations; adopted the hybrid Japanese/Brazilian HDTV standard (ISDB-T) in 2010 (2019)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Internet users
- percent of population: 90% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadband - fixed subscriptions
- total: 1.1 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 32 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transportation6 fields
- Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
- CX
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Railways
- total: 1,673 km (2016) (operational; government claims overall length is 2,961 km) standard gauge: 1,673 km (2016) 1.435-m gauge
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Merchant marine
- total: 58 (2023) by type: container ship 1, general cargo 4, oil tanker 3, other 50
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ports
- total ports: 8 (2024) large: 0 medium: 1 small: 1 very small: 6 ports with oil terminals: 2 key ports: Colonia, Fray Bentos, Jose Ignacio, La Paloma, Montevideo, Nueva Palmira, Paysandu, Puerto Sauce
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and Security7 fields
- Military and security forces
- Armed Forces of Uruguay (Fuerzas Armadas del Uruguay or FF.AA. del Uruguay): National Army, National Navy (includes Coast Guard (Prefectura Nacional Naval or PRENA)), Uruguayan Air Force Ministry of Interior: National Police (2025) note: the National Police includes the paramilitary National Republican Guard (Guardia Nacional Republicana)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military expenditures
- 2.1% of GDP (2024 est.) 2% of GDP (2023 est.) 2% of GDP (2022 est.) 2.3% of GDP (2021 est.) 2% of GDP (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military and security service personnel strengths
- approximately 23,000 active-duty Armed Forces (15,000 Army; 5,000 Navy; 3,000 Air Force) (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
- the military's inventory includes a variety of mostly older or secondhand equipment originating from a range of suppliers, including Brazil, Germany, Russia/former Soviet Union, South Korea, and the US (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military service age and obligation
- generally 18-30 years of age (up to 22 for the Navy and up to 40 for some specialist positions) for voluntary military service for men and women; initial 24-month service obligation (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military deployments
- 630 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 210 Golan Heights (UNDOF) (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military - note
- the armed forces are responsible for defense of the country’s independence, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as protecting strategic resources; it has some domestic responsibilities, including perimeter security for a number of prisons, border security, and providing humanitarian/disaster assistance; it also assists the Ministry of Interior in combating narcotics trafficking; the military participates in UN peacekeeping missions and multinational exercises with foreign partners; Uruguay traditionally has held security ties with Argentina, Brazil, Peru, and the US; since 2018, it has also signed defense cooperation agreements with China and Russia (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transnational Issues1 fields
- Refugees and internally displaced persons
- refugees: 32,149 (2024 est.) IDPs: 33 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 5 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
The underlying United States government material is public domain. The Almanac’s reuse terms do not change the legal status of this preserved source layer.