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Uruguay

Rank #134 by populationSouth America

Officially Oriental Republic of Uruguay

Population 2025
3,384,688
0.04% of world population
World Bank, 2025
Annual Growth
−0.06%
−1,895 people a year
World Bank, 2025
Density
19/km²
175,020 km² land area
World Bank, 2023
Median Age
36.4 years
Life expectancy 78.3 years
Our World in Data, 2025

About Uruguay

With a population of 3,384,688 and a median age of 36.4 years, Uruguay ranks 132nd globally. The country spans 175,020 km² across South America, bordered by Argentina and Brazil, with a sparse population density of 19 people per km². Life expectancy of 78.3 years and a fertility rate of 1.4 births per woman reflect an aging demographic, while the annual population growth rate of −0.1% indicates population decline.

Nearly all Uruguayans live in urban areas, with 96% concentrated in cities. The capital, Montevideo, anchors the nation. Established as an independent republic in 1825, Uruguay operates under a republican system of government and uses the Uruguayan peso as its currency, with Spanish as the official language.

The country's GDP per capita stands at $25,216, positioning it among the higher-income economies in the region.

This summary is AI-generated from the indicators on this page. The figures themselves come from the sources cited beside each value.

Country Facts

Capital
Montevideo
Continent
South America
ISO codes
UY · URY
Demonym
Uruguayan
Currency
Uruguayan peso (UYU $)
Government
Participatory democracy, Presidential system, Republic
State inception
1825
Time zone
UTC−03:00
Driving side
Right
Calling code
+598
Internet TLD
.uy
Land neighbours
2

Languages

  • Spanish

Demographics

Urban Population21st of 240
95.7%
World Bank, 2025
Fertility Rate199th of 240
1.40 births per woman
World Bank, 2024
Birth Rate158th of 213
9.8 per 1,000
World Bank, 2024
Death Rate39th of 213
9.9 per 1,000
World Bank, 2024

Economy

GDP per Capita79th of 240
$25,216
World Bank, 2025
GDP Growth150th of 210
+1.8%
World Bank, 2025
Unemployment Rate59th of 186
7.5%
World Bank, 2025
Inflation Rate50th of 191
4.7%
World Bank, 2025
Poverty Rate105th of 164
17.3%
World Bank, 2024
Gini Index47th of 170
40.0
World Bank, 2024

Health

Infant Mortality138th of 194
6.2 per 1,000 live births
World Bank, 2024
Health Spending44th of 192
9.0% of GDP
World Bank, 2023
Physicians13th of 206
4.67 per 1,000
World Bank, 2022
Hospital Beds94th of 199
2.44 per 1,000
World Bank, 2023
Maternal Mortality133rd of 193
15 per 100,000 live births
World Bank, 2023
Obesity Rate34th of 198
36.3%
Our World in Data, 2024

Education

Literacy Rate35th of 175
98.9%
World Bank, 2024
Education Spending72nd of 202
4.8% of GDP
World Bank, 2023
School Enrollment17th of 207
119.1% gross, secondary
World Bank, 2023
Mean Years of Schooling89th of 148
8.8 years
Our World in Data, 2020

Environment

Renewable Energy41st of 211
57.8% of final consumption
World Bank, 2021
Forest Coverage150th of 211
12.0% of land area
World Bank, 2023
Protected Areas191st of 211
3.1% of land area
World Bank, 2025
CO₂ Emissions123rd of 212
2.35 tonnes per capita
Our World in Data, 2024

Infrastructure

Internet Penetration49th of 211
92.0%
World Bank, 2024
Mobile Subscriptions34th of 212
145.5 per 100 people
World Bank, 2024

Quality of Life

Human Development Index48th of 192
0.862
Our World in Data, 2023
Happiness Index31st of 164
6.64/ 10
Our World in Data, 2025

Geography

Land Area91st of 240
175,020 km²
World Bank, 2023

Military

Military Spending49th of 163
2.31% of GDP
World Bank, 2024

Age & Gender Distribution

Population by five-year age band, UN World Population Prospects 2024.

Male Female
100+95-9990-9485-8980-8475-7970-7465-6960-6455-5950-5445-4940-4435-3930-3425-2920-2415-1910-145-90-4128K128KAge
Age 0–14
18.3%
Age 15–64
65.7%
Age 65+
16.0%
Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024, medium variant.
Uruguay population pyramid
Age bandMaleFemale
100+1922,696
95-991,3138,542
90-945,45819,888
85-8914,71934,307
80-8426,31447,423
75-7939,11859,952
70-7454,32272,099
65-6971,37985,662
60-6486,58496,328
55-5994,10699,662
50-54100,822102,892
45-49112,204115,272
40-44105,868106,505
35-39116,012112,726
30-34124,993121,002
25-29128,204124,118
20-24123,410118,492
15-19119,926114,569
10-14118,782113,454
5-9111,352105,462
0-487,48382,976

Population History & Projection (1950–2100)

Observed population to 2024, then the UN medium-variant projection.

0500K1M1.5M2M2.5M3M3.5M1950197520002025205020752100projected →
Uruguay's population was 2.23M in 1950 and is projected at 2.25M by 2100. Peak of 3.4M in 2020. Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024 (estimates to 2024, medium variant thereafter).
Uruguay population, 1950 to 2100
YearPopulation
19502,234,412
19602,529,957
19702,790,807
19802,951,953
19903,104,403
20003,266,206
20103,318,580
20203,398,968
20303,372,887
20403,336,459
20503,254,354
20603,109,396
20702,927,558
20802,720,454
20902,484,974
21002,245,887

How Uruguay Compares

Population against the ten most populous countries.

  1. India1.46B
  2. China1.41B
  3. United States341.8M
  4. Indonesia285.7M
  5. Pakistan255.2M
  6. Nigeria237.5M
  7. Brazil212.8M
  8. Bangladesh175.7M
  9. Russia143.5M
  10. Ethiopia135.5M
  11. Uruguay3.38M
Sources as cited on each country page.
Uruguay compared with the ten largest countries by population
NamePopulation
India1.46B
China1.41B
United States341.8M
Indonesia285.7M
Pakistan255.2M
Nigeria237.5M
Brazil212.8M
Bangladesh175.7M
Russia143.5M
Ethiopia135.5M
Uruguay3.38M

Countries Bordering Uruguay

2 land borders.

Uruguay Population FAQ

What is the population of Uruguay in 2026?

Uruguay has a population of 3,384,688 people (2025 estimate), which is 134th in the world and about 0.04% of the global total.

Is the population of Uruguay growing or shrinking?

Uruguay's population is shrinking at −0.06% per year, a change of roughly 1,895 people annually.

What is the capital of Uruguay?

The capital of Uruguay is Montevideo.

How densely populated is Uruguay?

Uruguay has 19/km² across 175,020 km² of land area.

What is life expectancy in Uruguay?

Life expectancy at birth in Uruguay is 78.3 years (2024).

What is the median age in Uruguay?

The median age in Uruguay is 36.4 years, meaning half the population is younger than that and half older.

Which continent is Uruguay in?

Uruguay is in South America.

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