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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

mixture of privately-owned and state-run broadcast media; more than 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 December 2010 (2010)

Internet country code [time series]

.uy

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

1.036 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 45

Internet users [time series]

1.405 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 86

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: fully digitalized domestic: most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; nationwide microwave radio relay network; overall fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity has reached 170 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 598; the UNISOR submarine cable system provides direct connectivity to Brazil and Argentina; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

964,900 (2011) country comparison to the world: 80

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

4.757 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 109

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

soybeans, rice, wheat; beef, dairy products; fish; lumber, cellulose

Budget [time series]

revenues: $14.28 billion expenditures: $15.07 billion (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-1.6% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 66

Central bank discount rate [time series]

9% (31 December 2012) country comparison to the world: 31 8.75% (31 December 2011) note: Uruguay's central bank uses the benchmark interest rate, rather than the discount rate, to conduct monetary policy; the rates shown here are the benchmark rates

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

11% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 9.8% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$1.189 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 -$875.9 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$11.61 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 $11.7 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

45.3 (2010) country comparison to the world: 39 44.8 (1999)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Uruguay has a free market economy characterized by an export-oriented agricultural sector, a well-educated work force, and high levels of social spending. Following financial difficulties in the late 1990s and early 2000s, economic growth for Uruguay averaged 8% annually during the period 2004-08. The 2008-09 global financial crisis put a brake on Uruguay's vigorous growth, which decelerated to 2.6% in 2009. Nevertheless, the country managed to avoid a recession and keep positive growth rates, mainly through higher public expenditure and investment, and GDP growth reached 8.9% in 2010 but fell about 3.5% in 2012, the result of a renewed slowdown in the global economy and in Uruguay's main trade partners and Common Market of the South (Mercosur) counterparts, Argentina and Brazil. Uruguay has sought to expand trade within Mercosur and with non-Mercosur members. Uruguay's total merchandise trade with Mercosur since 2006 has increased by nearly 70% to more than $5 billion while its total trade with the world has almost doubled to roughly $20 billion.

Exchange rates [time series]

Uruguayan pesos (UYU) per US dollar - 20.63 (2012 est.) 19.314 (2011 est.) 20.059 (2010 est.) 22.568 (2009) 20.936 (2008)

Exports [time series]

$9.812 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 $9.341 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

beef, soybeans, cellulose, rice, wheat, wood, dairy products; wool

Exports - partners [time series]

Brazil 19.3%, China 14.2%, Argentina 6.8%, Germany 6%, Venezuela 4.3% (2011)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$49.72 billion (2012 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$53.55 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 $51.74 billion (2011 est.) $48.95 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 9.1% industry: 21.5% services: 69.3% (2012 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$15,800 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 $15,400 (2011 est.) $14,600 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

3.5% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 5.7% (2011 est.) 8.9% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 34.4% (2010 est.)

Imports [time series]

$10.97 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 $10.41 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

refined oil, crude oil, passenger and other transportation vehicles, vehicles parts, cellular phones

Imports - partners [time series]

Brazil 16.3%, China 15%, Argentina 13.4%, US 9.4%, Paraguay 7.1%, Venezuela 6.7% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-1% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

7.8% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 8.1% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

20% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

Labor force [time series]

1.691 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 126

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 13% industry: 14% services: 73% (2010 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$231 million (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 112 $238 million (31 December 2010) $219 million (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line [time series]

18.6% (2010 est.) (2010 est.)

Public debt [time series]

57.2% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 58.3% of GDP (2011 est.) note: data cover general government debt, and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions.

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$12.23 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 $10.3 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$16.97 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 $14.22 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$300 million (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 $156 million (2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$9.304 billion (2010) country comparison to the world: 83 $7.3 billion (2009)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$15.69 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 $14.79 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$5.143 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 $4.749 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

28.7% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 109

Unemployment rate [time series]

6.1% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 6% (2011 est.)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

7.265 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 199

Crude oil - imports [time series]

38,720 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 63

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 200

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 199

Electricity - consumption [time series]

7.96 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

Electricity - exports [time series]

18.9 million kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 84

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

38.5% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 171

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

61.1% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 30

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 195

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

0.4% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 77

Electricity - imports [time series]

470 million kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 76

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

2.516 million kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Electricity - production [time series]

9.5 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

80 million cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 107

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 72

Natural gas - imports [time series]

86.4 million cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 75

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 203

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 201

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

51,100 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 99

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

6,093 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

22,060 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

43,370 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 176,215 sq km country comparison to the world: 91 land: 175,015 sq km water: 1,200 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than the state of Washington

Climate [time series]

warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown

Coastline [time series]

660 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 3.15 cu km/yr (2%/1%/96%) per capita: 910 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

33 00 S, 56 00 W

Geography - note [time series]

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 raising

Irrigated land [time series]

2,180 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 1,648 km border countries: Argentina 580 km, Brazil 1,068 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 7.77% permanent crops: 0.24% other: 91.99% (2005)

Location [time series]

Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil

Map references [time series]

South America

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or edge of continental margin

Natural hazards [time series]

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

Natural resources [time series]

arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fish

Terrain [time series]

mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland

Total renewable water resources [time series]

139 cu km (2000)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres

Capital [time series]

name: Montevideo geographic coordinates: 34 51 S, 56 10 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends second Sunday in March

Constitution [time series]

27 November 1966; effective 15 February 1967; suspended 27 June 1973; revised 26 November 1989 and 7 January 1997

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Oriental Republic of Uruguay conventional short form: Uruguay local long form: Republica Oriental del Uruguay local short form: Uruguay former: Banda Oriental, Cisplatine Province

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Thomas H. LLOYD embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200 mailing address: APO AA 34035 telephone: [598] (2) 418-7777 FAX: [598] (2) 418-8611

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos Alberto GIANELLI Derois chancery: 1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316 FAX: [1] (202) 331-8142 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York consulate(s): San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Jose "Pepe" MUJICA Cordano (since 1 March 2010); Vice President Danilo ASTORI Saragoza (since 1 March 2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jose "Pepe" MUJICA Cordano (since 1 March 2010); Vice President Danilo ASTORI Saragoza (since 1 March 2010) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president with parliamentary approval (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held on 29 November 2009 (next to be held in October 2014) election results: Jose "Pepe" MUJICA elected president; percent of vote - Jose "Pepe" MUJICA 54.8%, Luis Alberto LACALLE 45.2%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating with blue; a white square in the upper hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May with 16 rays that alternate between triangular and wavy; the stripes represent the nine original departments of Uruguay; the sun symbol evokes the legend of the sun breaking through the clouds on 25 May 1810 as independence was first declared from Spain (Uruguay subsequently won its independence from Brazil) note: the banner was inspired by the national colors of Argentina and by the design of the US flag

Government type [time series]

constitutional republic

Independence [time series]

25 August 1825 (from Brazil)

International law organization participation [time series]

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

CAN (associate), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court (judges are nominated by the president and elected for 10-year terms by the General Assembly)

Legal system [time series]

civil law system based on the Spanish civil code

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral General Assembly or Asamblea General consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (30 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; vice president has one vote in the Senate) and Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (99 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Senators - last held on 25 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014); Chamber of Representatives - last held on 25 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Frente Amplio 16, Blanco 9, Colorado Party 5; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Frente Amplio 50, Blanco 30, Colorado Party 17, Independent Party 2

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Himno Nacional" (National Anthem of Uruguay) lyrics/music: Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/Francisco Jose DEBALI note: 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); generally only the first verse and chorus are sung

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 25 August (1825)

National symbol(s) [time series]

Sun of May (a sun-with-face symbol)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Broad Front (Frente Amplio) - formerly known as the Progressive Encounter/Broad Front Coalition or EP-FA [Jorge BROVETTO] (a broad governing coalition that includes Movement for Popular Participation or MPP, New Space Party (Nuevo Espacio) [Rafael MICHELINI], Progressive Alliance (Alianza Progresista) [Rodolfo NIN NOVOA], Socialist Party [Eduardo FERNANDEZ and Reinaldo GARGANO], Communist Party [Eduardo LORIER], Uruguayan Assembly (Asamblea Uruguay) [Danilo ASTORI], and Vertiente Artiguista [Mariano ARANA]); Colorado Party (Foro Batllista) [Pedro BORDABERRY and Julio Maria SANGUINETTI]; National Party or Blanco [Luis Alberto LACALLE and Jorge LARRANAGA]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Chamber of Commerce and Export of Agriproducts; Chamber of Industries (manufacturer's association); Exporters Union of Uruguay; National Chamber of Commerce and Services; PIT/CNT (powerful federation of Uruguayan Unions - umbrella labor organization); Rural Association of Uruguay (rancher's association); Uruguayan Network of Political Women other: Catholic Church; students

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Introduction

Background [time series]

Montevideo, founded by the Spanish in 1726 as a military stronghold, soon took advantage of its natural harbor to become an important commercial center. Claimed by Argentina but annexed by Brazil in 1821, Uruguay declared its independence four years later and secured its freedom in 1828 after a three-year struggle. The administrations of President Jose BATLLE in the early 20th century established widespread political, social, and economic reforms that established a statist tradition. A violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement named the Tupamaros, launched in the late 1960s, led Uruguay's president to cede control of the government to the military in 1973. By yearend, the rebels had been crushed, but the military continued to expand its hold over the government. Civilian rule was not restored until 1985. In 2004, the left-of-center Frente Amplio Coalition won national elections that effectively ended 170 years of political control previously held by the Colorado and Blanco parties. Uruguay's political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 771,159 females age 16-49: 780,932 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 649,025 females age 16-49: 654,903 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 27,564 female: 26,811 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Uruguayan Armed Forces: Uruguayan National Army (Ejercito Nacional Uruguaya, ENU), Uruguayan National Navy (Armada Nacional del Uruguay; includes naval air arm, Naval Rifle Corps (Cuerpo de Fusileros Navales, Fusna), Maritime Prefecture in wartime), Uruguayan Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Uruguaya, FAU) (2010)

Military expenditures [time series]

1.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 92

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; up to 40 years of age for specialists; enlistment is voluntary in peacetime, but the government has the authority to conscript in emergencies; minimum 6-year education (2009)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 21.8% (male 367,169/ female 354,775) 15-64 years: 64.5% (male 1,051,562/ female 1,086,128) 65 years and over: 13.8% (male 181,996/ female 274,698) (2012 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

13.4 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

6% (2004) country comparison to the world: 79

Death rate [time series]

9.55 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 57

Demographic profile [time series]

Uruguay rates high for most development indicators and is known for its secularism, liberal social laws, and well-developed social security, health, and educational systems. It is one of the few countries in Latin America and the Caribbean where the entire population has access to clean water. Uruguay's provision of free primary through university education has contributed to the country's high levels of literacy and educational attainment. However, the emigration of human capital has diminished the state's return on its investment in education. Remittances from the roughly 18% of Uruguayans abroad amount to less than 1 percent of national GDP. The emigration of young adults and a low birth rate are causing Uruguay's population to age rapidly. In the 1960s, Uruguayans for the first time emigrated en masse - primarily to Argentina and Brazil - because of economic decline and the onset of more than a decade of military dictatorship. Economic crises in the early 1980s and 2002 also triggered waves of emigration, but since 2002 more than 70% of Uruguayan emigrants have selected the US and Spain as destinations because of better job prospects. Uruguay had a tiny population upon its independence in 1828 and welcomed thousands of predominantly Italian and Spanish immigrants, but the country has not experienced large influxes of new arrivals since the aftermath of World War II. More recent immigrants include Peruvians and Arabs.

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

2.9% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 134

Ethnic groups [time series]

white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%, Amerindian (practically nonexistent)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.5% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

9,900 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

7.4% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 68

Hospital bed density [time series]

2.9 beds/1,000 population (2007)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 9.44 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 148 male: 10.47 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

Languages [time series]

Spanish (official), Portunol, Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on the Brazilian frontier)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 76.41 years country comparison to the world: 74 male: 73.27 years female: 79.66 years (2012 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 97.6% female: 98.4% (2003 est.)

Major urban areas - population (Major cities - population) [time series]

MONTEVIDEO (capital) 1.633 million (2009)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

29 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 124

Median age [time series]

total: 33.8 years male: 32.2 years female: 35.5 years (2012 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Uruguayan(s) adjective: Uruguayan

Net migration rate [time series]

-1.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

3.736 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population [time series]

3,316,328 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Population growth rate [time series]

0.24% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 171

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 47.1%, non-Catholic Christians 11.1%, nondenominational 23.2%, Jewish 0.3%, atheist or agnostic 17.2%, other 1.1% (2006)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 99% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 1% of population total: 0% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 16 years male: 14 years female: 17 years (2008)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.87 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 20% country comparison to the world: 56 male: 16.1% female: 25.4% (2009)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 92% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

in 2010, the ICJ ruled in favor of Uruguay's operation of two paper mills on the Uruguay River, which forms the border with Argentina; the two countries formed a joint pollution monitoring regime; uncontested boundary dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera/Brasiliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim River leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question; smuggling of firearms and narcotics continues to be an issue along the Uruguay-Brazil border

Illicit drugs [time series]

small-scale transit country for drugs mainly bound for Europe, often through sea-borne containers; law enforcement corruption; money laundering because of strict banking secrecy laws; weak border control along Brazilian frontier; increasing consumption of cocaine base and synthetic drugs

Transportation

Airports [time series]

94 (2012) country comparison to the world: 63

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 11 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 83 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 27 under 914 m: 53 (2012)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 16 country comparison to the world: 100 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 2, chemical tanker 3, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 8 (Argentina 1, Denmark 1, Greece 1, Spain 5) registered in other countries: 1 (Liberia 1) (2010)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 226 km; oil 155 km (2010)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Montevideo

Railways [time series]

total: 1,641 km country comparison to the world: 77 standard gauge: 1,641 km 1.435-m gauge (1,200 km operational) (2010)

Roadways [time series]

total: 77,732 km country comparison to the world: 61 paved: 7,743 km unpaved: 69,989 km (2010)

Waterways [time series]

1,600 km (2011) country comparison to the world: 50