Uruguay

Broadcast media

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

.uy

Internet users

total: 2 million | percent of population: 59.0% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 99

Radio broadcast stations

AM 93, FM 191, shortwave 7 (2005)

Telephone system

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

total subscriptions: 1.08 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 32 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 75

Telephones - mobile cellular

total: 5.5 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 165 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 112

Television broadcast stations

62 (2005)

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $16.8 billion | expenditures: $18.71 billion (2014 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.4% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 128

Central bank discount rate

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: 26

Commercial bank prime lending rate

15.7% (31 December 2014 est.) | 12.44% (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 33

Current account balance

-$2.615 billion (2014 est.) | -$3.144 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 157

Debt - external

$17.54 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $16.27 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 88

Distribution of family income - Gini index

45.3 (2010) | 44.8 (1999) | country comparison to the world: 40

Economy - overview

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, 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 in 2012-13 as a 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, and President VAZQUEZ has said he will maintain his predecessor’s mix of pro-market policies and a strong social safety net.

Exchange rates

Uruguayan pesos (UYU) per US dollar - | 23.18 (2014 est.) | 20.482 (2013 est.) | 20.31 (2012 est.) | 19.314 (2011 est.) | 20.059 (2010 est.)

Exports

$11 billion (2014 est.) | $10.29 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 93

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

China 22.4%, Brazil 17.9%, Argentina 6.3%, Venezuela 5% (2014)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$55.14 billion (2014 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$69.98 billion (2014 est.) | $67.73 billion (2013 est.) | $64.88 billion (2012 est.) | note: data are in 2014 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 95

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 66.1% | government consumption: 14% | investment in fixed capital: 22.9% | investment in inventories: 0.7% | exports of goods and services: 24.2% | imports of goods and services: -28% | (2014 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 7.5% | industry: 20.4% | services: 72.1% (2014 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$20,600 (2014 est.) | $19,900 (2013 est.) | $19,100 (2012 est.) | note: data are in 2014 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 80

GDP - real growth rate

3.3% (2014 est.) | 4.4% (2013 est.) | 3.7% (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 121

Gross national saving

17.3% of GDP (2014 est.) | 18.3% of GDP (2013 est.) | 18.2% of GDP (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 107

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$12.05 billion (2014 est.) | $11.6 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 95

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Brazil 20.3%, China 16.9%, Argentina 13.1%, US 10.2%, Venezuela 4.6% (2014)

Industrial production growth rate

1.8% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 136

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

8.9% (2014 est.) | 8.6% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 208

Labor force

1.712 million (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 127

Labor force - by occupation

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

Market value of publicly traded shares

$175.4 million (31 December 2012 est.) | $174.6 million (31 December 2011) | $156.9 million (31 December 2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 117

Population below poverty line

18.6% (2010 est.)

Public debt

64.7% of GDP (2014 est.) | 62.1% of GDP (2013 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: 48

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$17.96 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $16.28 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 64

Stock of broad money

$8.568 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $8.919 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 109

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$411.7 million (31 December 2014 est.) | $376.6 million (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 85

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$23.41 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $20.59 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 73

Stock of domestic credit

$19.82 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $19.48 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 87

Stock of narrow money

$5.201 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $5.455 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 98

Taxes and other revenues

30.2% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 89

Unemployment rate

6.5% (2014 est.) | 6.6% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 70

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

7.591 million Mt (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 113

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 199

Crude oil - imports

38,680 bbl/day (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 59

Crude oil - production

400 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 108

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 202

Electricity - consumption

9.333 billion kWh (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 90

Electricity - exports

194 million kWh (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 77

Electricity - from fossil fuels

41.6% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 168

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

56.8% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 37

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 197

Electricity - from other renewable sources

1.6% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 81

Electricity - imports

742 million kWh (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 71

Electricity - installed generating capacity

2.707 million kW (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 96

Electricity - production

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

Natural gas - consumption

60 million cu m (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 108

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 200

Natural gas - imports

60 million cu m (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 74

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 203

Natural gas - proved reserves

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

Refined petroleum products - consumption

49,140 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 102

Refined petroleum products - exports

4,656 bbl/day (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 92

Refined petroleum products - imports

16,420 bbl/day (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 111

Refined petroleum products - production

43,440 bbl/day (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 84

Area

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

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than the state of Washington

Climate

warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown

Coastline

660 km

Elevation extremes

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

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international agreements

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 3.66 cu km/yr (11%/2%/87%) | per capita: 1,101 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates

33 00 S, 56 00 W

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 raising

Irrigated land

1,810 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

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

Land use

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

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

Map references

South America

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

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

Natural resources

arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fish

Terrain

mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland

Total renewable water resources

139 cu km (2011)

Administrative divisions

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

name: Montevideo | geographic coordinates: 34 51 S, 56 10 W | time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

several previous; latest approved by plebiscite 27 November 1966, effective 15 February 1967; amended several times, last in 2004 (2013)

Country name

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

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Brad FREDEN (since 10 December 2014) | 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

chief of mission: Ambassador Juan Carlos PITA Alvariza (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

chief of state: President Tabare VAZQUEZ (since 1 March 2015); Vice President Raul Fernando SENDIC Rodriguez (since 1 March 2015); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government | head of government: President Tabare VAZQUEZ (since 1 March 2015); Vice President Raul Fernando SENDIC Rodriguez (since 1 March 2015) | 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 29 November 2009 (next to be held on 26 October 2014, and a runoff if needed on 30 November 2014) | 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 description

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); 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

constitutional republic

Independence

25 August 1825 (from Brazil)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

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 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 (Juzagados Letrados); Peace Courts (Juzagados de Paz); Rural Courts (Juzgados Rurales)

Legal system

civil law system based on the Spanish civil code

Legislative branch

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 party - NA; seats by party - Frente Amplio 15, Blanco 10, Colorado Party 4, Independent Party 1; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Frente Amplio 50, Blanco 32, Colorado Party 13, Independent Party 3, Popular Assembly 1

National anthem

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

Independence Day, 25 August (1825)

National symbol(s)

Sun of May (a sun-with-face symbol); national colors: blue, white, yellow

Political parties and leaders

Broad Front (Frente Amplio) or EP-FA [Monica XAVIER] (a broad governing coalition that includes Liber Seregni Front (FLS) [Danilo ASTORI], Socialist Party [Monica XAVIER], Artigas Wing [Mariano ARANA], Christian Democratic Party [Juan Andres ROBALLO], Popular Participation Movement (MPP) [Jose MUJICA], Broad Front Commitment [Raul SENDIC], Action and Thought Current-Freedom (CAP-L) [Eleuterio FERNADEZ HUIDOBRO], Big House [Constanza MOREIRA], Communist Party [Marcos CARAMBULA], The Federal League | Colorado Party (including Vamos Uruguay [Pedro Bordaberry] and Propuesta Batllista [Jorge AMORIN BATLLE]) | Independent Party [Pablo MIERES] | National Party or Blanco (including All Forward [Luis LACALLE POU] and National Alliance [Jorge LARRANAGA]) | Popular Assembly [Gonzalo ABELLA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

B'nai Brith | Catholic Church | 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: students

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Background

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 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.

Manpower available for military service

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

Manpower fit for military service

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

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

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

Military branches

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

1.95% of GDP (2012) | 1.94% of GDP (2011) | 1.95% of GDP (2010) | country comparison to the world: 42

Military service age and obligation

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)

Age structure

0-14 years: 20.73% (male 352,470/female 340,275) | 15-24 years: 15.89% (male 269,034/female 262,117) | 25-54 years: 39.09% (male 644,816/female 661,635) | 55-64 years: 10.25% (male 161,190/female 181,478) | 65 years and over: 14.03% (male 187,051/female 281,827) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

13.07 births/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 152

Child labor - children ages 5-14

total number: 51,879 | percentage: 7% (2006 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

4.5% (2011) | country comparison to the world: 94

Death rate

9.45 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 56

Demographic profile

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

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

urban: 100% of population | rural: 93.9% of population | total: 99.7% of population | urban: 0% of population | rural: 6.1% of population | total: 0.3% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

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

Ethnic groups

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.7% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 54

HIV/AIDS - deaths

600 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 79

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

14,400 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 89

Health expenditures

8.8% of GDP (2013) | country comparison to the world: 41

Hospital bed density

2.5 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

total: 8.74 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 9.7 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 7.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 148

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 77 years | male: 73.86 years | female: 80.26 years (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 73

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 98.5% | male: 98.2% | female: 98.8% (2015 est.)

Major urban areas - population

MONTEVIDEO (capital) 1.707 million (2015)

Median age

total: 34.5 years | male: 32.8 years | female: 36.2 years (2015 est.)

Nationality

noun: Uruguayan(s) | adjective: Uruguayan

Net migration rate

-0.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 147

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

27.6% (2014) | country comparison to the world: 64

Physicians density

3.74 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

3,341,893 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 135

Population growth rate

0.27% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 176

Religions

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

urban: 96.6% of population | rural: 92.6% of population | total: 96.4% of population | urban: 3.4% of population | rural: 7.4% of population | total: 3.6% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

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

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female | total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.82 children born/woman (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 151

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 18.5% | male: 14.7% | female: 23.6% (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 61

Urbanization

urban population: 95.3% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: 0.53% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

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

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

Trafficking in persons

current situation: Uruguay is a source country for women and children subjected to sex trafficking and, to a lesser extent, a transit and destination country for men, women, and children exploited in forced labor and sex trafficking; most victims are women and girls exploited in sex trafficking domestically; some Uruguayan women lured by fraudulent job employment offers in Spain, Italy, and Argentina are forced into prostitution; foreign workers in domestic service, agriculture, and lumber processing are vulnerable to forced labor in Uruguay; some human trafficking cases are reportedly linked to international crime rings | tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List – Uruguay does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; authorities investigated and prosecuted several trafficking cases in 2013 but reported no convictions; limited anti-trafficking data makes it difficult to assess law enforcement efforts; the government provides limited services to human trafficking victims outside the capital and to forced labor victims; two public awareness campaigns were launched with foreign funding in 2013 (2014)

Airports

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

Airports - with paved runways

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

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

Merchant marine

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

Pipelines

gas 257 km; oil 160 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Montevideo

Railways

total: 1,641 km | standard gauge: 1,641 km 1.435-m gauge (2014) | country comparison to the world: 77

Roadways

total: 77,732 km | paved: 7,743 km | unpaved: 69,989 km (2010) | country comparison to the world: 62

Waterways

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