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Last update: January, 24 2021

Uruguay

flag of Uruguay
Government
NameOriental Republic of Uruguay
SpanishRepública Oriental del Uruguay
Government typepresidential republic
CapitalMontevideo (1,304,687)
CurrencyUruguayan peso (UYU)
People
Population (2020)3,473,727 (132nd)
Density of population19.8 P/km2 (99th)
NationalityUruguayan
Official languages
Spanish
Ethnic groups (2011)
white87.7%
black4.6%
indigenous2.4%
other0.3%
none or unspecified5%
Religions (2006)
Roman Catholic47.1%
non-Catholic Christians11.1%
nondenominational23.2%
Jewish0.3%
atheist or agnostic17.2%
other1.1%
Life expectancy (2020)
Male74.8 years
Female81.2 years
Total population77.9 years (73rd)
Homicides
Total (2018)12.1 per 100,000 people (27th)
Geography
Land area175,015 km2
water area1,200 km2
total area176,215 km2 (92nd)
Mean elevation109 m
Lowest point
Atlantic Ocean0 m
Highest point
Cerro Catedral514 m
Land use (2011)
Agricultural land87.2%
Arable land10.1%
Permanent crops0.2%
Permanent pasture76.9%
Forest10.2%
Other2.6%
Urbanization
Urban population (2020)95.5%
Rate of urbanization0.46% annual rate of change (2015 – 2020)
Economy
Labor force (2017)1.748 million  (127th)
Labor force by occupation (2010)
Agriculture13%
Industry14%
Services 73%
Unemployment rate (2017)7.6% (112th)
GDP (PPP) (estimate 2020)
Total$86.562 billion (92nd)
Per capita$24,516 (59th)
GDP (nominal) (estimate 2020)
Total$62.917 billion (80th)
Per capita$17,819 (49th)
GDP by sector (estimate 2017)
Agriculture6.2%
Industry24.1%
Services69.7%
Exports (2017)$11.41 billion (86th)
Exports partners (2017)
China19%
Brazil16.1%
US5.7%
Argentina5.4%
Imports (2017)$8.607 billion (106th)
Imports partners (2017)
China20%
Brazil19.5%
Argentina12.6%
US10.9%

Uruguay on the world map

Uruguay on the world map

Uruguay top 10 largest cities

  1. Montevideo (1,304,687)
  2. Salto (104,011)
  3. Ciudad de la Costa (95,176)
  4. Paysandú (76,412)
  5. Las Piedras (71,258)
  6. Rivera (64,465)
  7. Maldonado (62,590)
  8. Tacuarembó (54,755)
  9. Melo (51,830)
  10. Mercedes (41,974)

Demography

Population pyramid

population pyramid of Uruguay in 2020

Age structure data

Estimate for 2020:

  • 0-14 years: 19.51% (male 336,336/female 324,563)
  • 15-24 years: 15.14% (male 259,904/female 252,945)
  • 25-54 years: 39.86% (male 670,295/female 679,850)
  • 55-64 years: 10.79% (male 172,313/female 193,045)
  • 65 years and over: 14.71% (male 200,516/female 297,838)

Remark: the age structure of a population affects a nation’s key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest.

Population from 1950 to 2020

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Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019, Online Edition. Rev. 1.


Evolution of the life expectancy from 1960 to 2018

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Source: World Development Indicators, The World Bank

Economy

Agriculture:

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

Industries:

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

Exports – commodities:

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

Imports – commodities:

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

Time zone and current time in Uruguay

Go to our interactive map to get the current time in Uruguay

Sources: