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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 [time series]

total: 2,225,075 | percent of population: 66.4% (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 99

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 over 185 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) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 1,113,566 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 33 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 75

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total: 5,116,736 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 153 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 112

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

Cellulose, beef, soybeans, rice, wheat; dairy products; fish; lumber, tobacco, wine

Budget [time series]

revenues: $15.35 billion | expenditures: $17.47 billion (2016 est.)

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

-3.9% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 138

Central bank discount rate [time series]

9% (31 December 2012) | 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 | country comparison to the world: 31

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

16.17% (31 December 2016 est.) | 15.84% (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 32

Current account balance [time series]

$-36 million (2016 est.) | $-1.14 billion (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 64

Debt - external [time series]

$27.9 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $27.32 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 80

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

41.6 (2014) | 41.9 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 52

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Uruguay has a free market economy characterized by an export-oriented agricultural sector, a well-educated workforce, and high levels of social spending. Uruguay has sought to expand trade within the Common Market of the South (Mercosur) and with non-Mercosur members, and President VAZQUEZ has maintained his predecessor’s mix of pro-market policies and a strong social safety net. | Following financial difficulties in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Uruguay's economic growth 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; GDP growth reached 8.9% in 2010 but slowed markedly in the period 2012-16 as a result of a renewed slowdown in the global economy and in Uruguay's main trade partners and Mercosur counterparts, Argentina and Brazil. Reforms in those countries should give Uruguay an economic boost.

Exchange rates [time series]

Uruguayan pesos (UYU) per US dollar - | 30.163 (2016 est.) | 30.163 (2015 est.) | 27.52 (2014 est.) | 23.246 (2013 est.) | 20.31 (2012 est.)

Exports [time series]

$8.387 billion (2016 est.) | $9.091 billion (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 94

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

Brazil 16.4%, China 12.2%, US 6.2%, Argentina 5% (2016)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$52.42 billion (2016 est.)

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

$74.46 billion (2016 est.) | $72.47 billion (2015 est.) | $71.43 billion (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 95

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

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

agriculture: 6.8% | industry: 27.4% | services: 65.9% (2016 est.)

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

$21,400 (2016 est.) | $21,200 (2015 est.) | $21,200 (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 84

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

1.5% (2016 est.) | 0.4% (2015 est.) | 3.2% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 158

Gross national saving [time series]

18.6% of GDP (2016 est.) | 17.6% of GDP (2015 est.) | 16.7% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 107

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 1.9% | highest 10%: 30.8% (2014 est.)

Imports [time series]

$8.037 billion (2016 est.) | $9.334 billion (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 105

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

China 18.8%, Brazil 17.9%, Argentina 13.3%, US 6.9%, Germany 4.7% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

1% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 145

Industries [time series]

food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, textiles, chemicals, beverages

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

9.6% (2016 est.) | 8.7% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 203

Labor force [time series]

1.736 million (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 127

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

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

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$175.4 million (31 December 2012 est.) | $174.6 million (31 December 2011 est.) | $156.9 million (31 December 2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 119

Population below poverty line [time series]

9.7% (2015 est.)

Public debt [time series]

62.7% of GDP (2016 est.) | 64.2% of GDP (2015 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. | country comparison to the world: 65

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$13.47 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $15.63 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 69

Stock of broad money [time series]

$8.781 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $7.43 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 106

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$136.1 million (31 December 2016 est.) | $136.9 million (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 101

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

$22.81 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $21.81 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 74

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$19.61 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $17.8 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 90

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$4.582 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $4.162 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 105

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

28.1% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 95

Unemployment rate [time series]

7.9% (2016 est.) | 7.9% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 97

Energy

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

7.4 million Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 116

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 206

Crude oil - imports [time series]

37,900 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 58

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 207

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es) | country comparison to the world: 207

Electricity - consumption [time series]

9.42 billion kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 97

Electricity - exports [time series]

1.321 billion kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 53

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

34.7% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 179

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

34.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 60

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 201

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

39% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 5

Electricity - imports [time series]

2 million kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 114

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

4.408 million kW (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 82

Electricity - production [time series]

12.23 billion kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 93

Electricity access [time series]

population without electricity: 20,106 | electrification - total population: 99.4% | electrification - urban areas: 99.7% | electrification - rural areas: 93.8% (2012)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

378 million cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 109

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 203

Natural gas - imports [time series]

40 million cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 77

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 207

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es) | country comparison to the world: 203

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

54,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 100

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

537.5 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 111

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

10,870 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 140

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

42,440 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 84

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 176,215 sq km | land: 175,015 sq km | water: 1,200 sq km | country comparison to the world: 92

Area - comparative [time series]

about the size of Virginia and West Virginia combined; slightly smaller than the state of Washington

Climate [time series]

warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown

Coastline [time series]

660 km

Elevation [time series]

mean elevation: 109 m | elevation extremes: 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

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]

2,380 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 1,591 km | border countries (2): Argentina 541 km, Brazil 1,050 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 87.2% | arable land 10.1%; permanent crops 0.2%; permanent pasture 76.9% | forest: 10.2% | other: 2.6% (2011 est.)

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 the 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

Population distribution (Population - distribution) [time series]

most of the country's population resides in the southern half of the country; approximately 80% of the populace is urban, living in towns or cities; nearly half of the population lives in and around the capital of Montevideo

Terrain [time series]

mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland

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)

Citizenship [time series]

citizenship by birth: yes | citizenship by descent: yes | dual citizenship recognized: yes | residency requirement for naturalization: 3-5 years

Constitution [time series]

several previous; latest approved by plebiscite 27 November 1966, effective 15 February 1967; amended several times, last in 2004 (2016)

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 | etymology: name derives from the Spanish pronunciation of the Guarani Indian designation of the Uruguay River, which makes up the western border of the country and whose name later came to be applied to the entire country

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Kelly Ann KEIDERLING-FRANZ (since 23 June 2016) | embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200 | mailing address: APO AA 34035 | telephone: [598] (2) 1770-2000 | FAX: [598] (2) 1770-2128

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos Alberto GIANELLI Derois (since 3 August 2015) | chancery: 1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 | telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313 | FAX: [1] (202) 331-8142 | consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Tabare VAZQUEZ (since 1 March 2015); Vice President Lucia TOPOLANSKY (since 13 September 2017); note - note - Vice President Raul Fernando SENDIC Rodriguez (since 1 March 2015) stepped down on 9 September amid accusations of misuse of public funds; the president is both chief of state and head of government | head of government: President Tabare VAZQUEZ (since 1 March 2015); Vice President Lucia TOPOLANSKY (since 13 September 2017); note - Vice President Raul Fernando SENDIC Rodriguez (since 1 March 2015) stepped down on 9 September amid accusations of misuse of public funds | cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president with approval of the General Assembly | elections/appointments: 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); election last held on 26 October 2014, with a runoff election on 30 November 2014 (next to be held on 27 October 2019, and a runoff if needed on 24 November 2019) | election results: Tabare VAZQUEZ elected president in a runoff election; percent of vote - Tabare VAZQUEZ (Socialist Party) 56.5%, Luis Alberto LACALLE Pou (Blanco) 43.4%

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 (delineated in black) 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); the sun features are said to represent those of Inti, the Inca god of the sun | note: the banner was inspired by the national colors of Argentina and by the design of the US flag

Government type [time series]

presidential 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), 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, UN Security Council (temporary), UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

highest court(s): Supreme Court of Justice (consists of 5 judges) | judge selection and term of office: judges nominated by the president and appointed in joint conference of the General Assembly; judges appointed for 10-year terms, with reelection 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)

Legal system [time series]

civil law system based on the Spanish civil code

Legislative branch [time series]

description: bicameral General Assembly or Asamblea General consists of the Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (31 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; the vice-president serves as the presiding ex-officio member; elected members serve 5-year terms) and the Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (99 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms) | elections: Chamber of Senators - last held on 26 October 2014 (next to be held in October 2019); Chamber of Representatives - last held on 26 October 2014 (next to be held in October 2019) | election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by coalition/party - Frente Amplio 49.5%, National Party 31.9%, Colorado Party 13.3%, Independent Party 3.2%, other 2.1%; seats by coalition/party - Frente Amplio 15, National Party 10, Colorado Party 4, Independent Party 1 | Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by coalition/party - Frente Amplio 49.5%, National Party 31.9%, Colorado Party 13.3%, Independent Party 3.2%, AP 1.2%, other 0.9%; seats by coalition/party - Frente Amplio 50, National Party 32, Colorado Party 13, Independent Party 3, AP 1

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); national colors: blue, white, yellow

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

Broad Front or FA (Frente Amplio) - (a broad governing coalition that includes Uruguay Assembly [Danilo ASTORI], Progressive Alliance [Rodolfo NIN NOVOA], New Space [Rafael MICHELINI], Socialist Party [Monica XAVIER], Vertiente Artiguista [Enrique RUBIO], Christian Democratic Party [Juan Andres ROBALLO], For the People’s Victory [Luis PUIG], Popular Participation Movement (MPP) [Jose MUJICA], Broad Front Commitment [Raul SENDIC], Big House [Constanza MOREIRA], Communist Party [Marcos CARAMBULA], The Federal League [Dario PEREZ] | Colorado Party (including Vamos Uruguay (or Let's Go Uruguay) [Pedro BORDABERRY], Open Space [Tabare VIERA], and Open Batllism [Ope PASQUET]) | Independent Party [Pablo MIERES] | National Party or Blanco (including All Forward [Luis LACALLE POU] and National Alliance [Jorge LARRANAGA]) | Popular Assembly [Gonzalo ABELLA]

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

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 launched 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 restored in 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 National (Blanco) parties. Uruguay's political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent.

Military and Security

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) (2012)

Military expenditures [time series]

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18-30 years of age (18-22 years of age for navy) for male or female 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 (2013)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 20.17% (male 344,810/female 332,791) | 15-24 years: 15.69% (male 267,000/female 260,135) | 25-54 years: 39.34% (male 654,036/female 667,780) | 55-64 years: 10.56% (male 167,002/female 187,865) | 65 years and over: 14.25% (male 191,597/female 287,132) (2017 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

13 births/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 152

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

4% (2011) | country comparison to the world: 94

Death rate [time series]

9.4 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 56

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.

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 55.9 | youth dependency ratio: 33.4 | elderly dependency ratio: 22.5 | potential support ratio: 4.4 (2015 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

4.4% of GDP (2011) | country comparison to the world: 92

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.6% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 59

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

<500 (2016 est.)

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

12,000 (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 88

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

8.6% of GDP (2014) | country comparison to the world: 47

Hospital bed density [time series]

2.5 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 8.3 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 9.3 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 7.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 152

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 77.4 years | male: 74.2 years | female: 80.6 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 70

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 98.5% | male: 98.1% | female: 98.9% (2015 est.)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

MONTEVIDEO (capital) 1.707 million (2015)

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

15 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 136

Median age [time series]

total: 35 years | male: 33.1 years | female: 36.7 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 78

Nationality [time series]

noun: Uruguayan(s) | adjective: Uruguayan

Net migration rate [time series]

-0.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 135

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

27.9% (2016) | country comparison to the world: 34

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

3.94 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population [time series]

3,360,148 (July 2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 133

Population distribution [time series]

Population growth rate [time series]

0.27% (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 167

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 est.)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

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

total: 16 years | male: 14 years | female: 17 years (2010)

Sex ratio [time series]

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.8 children born/woman (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 150

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

total: 22.5% | male: 19.9% | female: 26.2% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 61

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 95.6% of total population (2017) | rate of urbanization: 0.44% annual rate of change (2015-20 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]

133 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 42

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 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 122 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 | 914 to 1,523 m: 40 | under 914 m: 79 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]

CX (2016)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 16 | 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) | country comparison to the world: 100

National air transport system [time series]

number of registered air carriers: 2 | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 3 (2015)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 257 km; oil 160 km (2013)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Montevideo

Railways [time series]

total: 1,673 km (operational; government claims overall length is 2,961 km) | standard gauge: 1,673 km 1.435-m gauge (2016) | country comparison to the world: 78

Roadways [time series]

total: 77,732 km | paved: 7,743 km | unpaved: 69,989 km (2010) | country comparison to the world: 63

Waterways [time series]

1,600 km (2011) | country comparison to the world: 48