2014 Edition

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.

Area

176,215 sq km 175,015 sq km 1,200 sq km

total

176,215 sq km

water

1,200 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than the state of Washington

Climate

warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown

Coastline

660 km

Elevation extremes

Atlantic Ocean 0 m Cerro Catedral 514 m

highest point

Cerro Catedral 514 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international agreements

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 Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation

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)

3.66 cu km/yr (11%/2%/87%) 1,101 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

1,101 cu m/yr (2000)

total

3.66 cu km/yr (11%/2%/87%)

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

1,648 km Argentina 580 km, Brazil 1,068 km

border countries

Argentina 580 km, Brazil 1,068 km

total

1,648 km

Land use

10.25% 0.22% 89.52% (2011)

arable land

10.25%

other

89.52% (2011)

permanent crops

0.22%

Location

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

Map references

South America

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or edge of continental margin

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm or edge of continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

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)

Age structure

21% (male 356,851/female 344,576) 16% (male 269,820/female 262,830) 38.9% (male 639,766/female 658,257) 10.1% (male 158,170/female 178,194) 13.9% (male 185,132/female 279,376) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

21% (male 356,851/female 344,576)

15-24 years

16% (male 269,820/female 262,830)

25-54 years

38.9% (male 639,766/female 658,257)

55-64 years

10.1% (male 158,170/female 178,194)

65 years and over

13.9% (male 185,132/female 279,376) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

13.18 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

51,879 7 % (2006 est.)

percentage

7 % (2006 est.)

total number

51,879

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

4.5% (2011)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

77% percent of women aged 15-50 (2004)

Death rate

9.48 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

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

55.9 % 33.8 % 22.1 % 4.5 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

22.1 %

potential support ratio

4.5 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

55.9 %

youth dependency ratio

33.8 %

Drinking water source

urban: 99.9% of population rural: 94.9% of population total: 99.5% of population urban: 0.1% of population rural: 5.1% of population total: 0.5% of population (2012 est.)

rural

5.1% of population

total

0.5% of population (2012 est.)

urban

0.1% of population

Education expenditures

4.5% of GDP (2011)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

8% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.7% (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

13,200 (2012 est.)

Hospital bed density

3 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

8.97 deaths/1,000 live births 9.95 deaths/1,000 live births 7.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

7.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

8.97 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

76.81 years 73.67 years 80.06 years (2014 est.)

female

80.06 years (2014 est.)

total population

76.81 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 98.1% 97.6% 98.5% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

98.5% (2010 est.)

male

97.6%

total population

98.1%

Major urban areas - population

MONTEVIDEO (capital) 1.672 million (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

29 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

34.3 years 32.6 years 35.9 years (2014 est.)

female

35.9 years (2014 est.)

male

32.6 years

total

34.3 years

Nationality

Uruguayan(s) Uruguayan

adjective

Uruguayan

noun

Uruguayan(s)

Net migration rate

-1.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

24.8% (2008)

Physicians density

3.74 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

3,332,972 (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

0.26% (2014 est.)

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: 96.5% of population rural: 95.8% of population total: 96.4% of population urban: 3.5% of population rural: 4.2% of population total: 3.6% of population (2012 est.)

rural

4.2% of population

total

3.6% of population (2012 est.)

urban

3.5% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

16 years 14 years 17 years (2010)

female

17 years (2010)

male

14 years

total

16 years

Sex ratio

1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female 0.66 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.03 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.97 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.66 male(s)/female

at birth

1.04 male(s)/female

total population

0.93 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.84 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

18.5% 14.7% 23.6% (2012)

female

23.6% (2012)

total

18.5%

Urbanization

92.5% of total population (2011) 0.45% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.45% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

92.5% of total population (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

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

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends second Sunday in March

geographic coordinates

34 51 S, 56 10 W

name

Montevideo

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

Oriental Republic of Uruguay Uruguay Republica Oriental del Uruguay Uruguay Banda Oriental, Cisplatine Province

conventional long form

Oriental Republic of Uruguay

conventional short form

Uruguay

former

Banda Oriental, Cisplatine Province

local long form

Republica Oriental del Uruguay

local short form

Uruguay

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Julissa REYNOSO (since 30 March 2012) Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200 APO AA 34035 [598] (2) 1770-2000 [598] (2) 1770-2128

chief of mission

Ambassador Julissa REYNOSO (since 30 March 2012)

embassy

Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200

FAX

[598] (2) 1770-2128

mailing address

APO AA 34035

telephone

[598] (2) 1770-2000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Carlos Alberto GIANELLI Derois (since 11 September 2012) 1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 [1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316 [1] (202) 331-8142 Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York

chancery

1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006

chief of mission

Ambassador Carlos Alberto GIANELLI Derois (since 11 September 2012)

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 331-8142

telephone

[1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316

Executive branch

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 President Jose "Pepe" MUJICA Cordano (since 1 March 2010); Vice President Danilo ASTORI Saragoza (since 1 March 2010) Council of Ministers appointed by the president with parliamentary approval 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) Jose "Pepe" MUJICA Cordano elected president; percent of vote - Jose "Pepe" MUJICA Cordano 54.8%, Luis Alberto LACALLE 45.2%

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president with parliamentary approval

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

election results

Jose "Pepe" MUJICA Cordano elected president; percent of vote - Jose "Pepe" MUJICA Cordano 54.8%, Luis Alberto LACALLE 45.2%

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)

head of government

President Jose "Pepe" MUJICA Cordano (since 1 March 2010); Vice President Danilo ASTORI Saragoza (since 1 March 2010)

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 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), 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, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Justice (consists of 5 judges) judges nominated by the president and appointed in joint conference of the General Assembly; judges appointed for 10-year terms, with re-election after a lapse of 5 years following the previous term Courts of Appeal; District Courts (Juzagados Letrados); Peace Courts (Juzagados de Paz); Rural Courts (Juzgados Rurales)

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 re-election 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

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) 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) 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

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

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)

National anthem

"Himno Nacional" (National Anthem of Uruguay) Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/Francisco Jose DEBALI 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

lyrics/music

Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/Francisco Jose DEBALI

name

"Himno Nacional" (National Anthem of Uruguay)

National holiday

Independence Day, 25 August (1825)

National symbol(s)

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

Political parties and leaders

Broad Front (Frente Amplio) - formerly known as the Progressive Encounter/Broad Front Coalition or EP-FA [Monica XAVIER] (a broad governing coalition that includes Popular Participation Movement (MPP), New Space Party (Nuevo Espacio) [Rafael MICHELINI], Progressive Alliance (Alianza Progresista) [Rodolfo NIN NOVOA], Socialist Party [vacant], Communist Party [Eduardo LORIER], Uruguayan Assembly (Asamblea Uruguay) [Danilo ASTORI Saragoza], and Vertiente Artiguista [Enrique RUBIO]) Colorado Party (Vamos Uruguay) [Martha MONTANER] Independent Party [Pablo MIERES] National Party or Blanco [Luis Alberto HEBER]

Political pressure groups and leaders

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 B'nai Brith; Catholic Church; students

other

B'nai Brith; Catholic Church; students

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$17.14 billion $18.62 billion (2013 est.)

expenditures

$18.62 billion (2013 est.)

revenues

$17.14 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.6% of GDP (2013 est.)

Central bank discount rate

9% (31 December 2012) 8.75% (31 December 2011) 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

11.3% (31 December 2013 est.) 11.2% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

-$2.721 billion (2013 est.) -$2.69 billion (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$17.61 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $16.02 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

45.3 (2010) 44.8 (1999)

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, 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 slowed in 2012-13, 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 $23 billion in 2013.

Exchange rates

Uruguayan pesos (UYU) per US dollar - 20.58 (2013 est.) 20.311 (2012 est.) 20.059 (2010 est.) 22.568 (2009) 20.936 (2008)

Exports

$10.5 billion (2013 est.) $9.89 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Brazil 18.6%, China 17.9%, Argentina 6.2%, Germany 4.3% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

68.9% 13.6% 23.1% -0.8% 25.8% -30.5% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

25.8%

government consumption

13.6%

household consumption

68.9%

imports of goods and services

-30.5%

investment in fixed capital

23.1%

investment in inventories

-0.8%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

7.5% 21.5% 71% (2013 est.)

agriculture

7.5%

industry

21.5%

services

71% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$16,600 (2013 est.) $16,100 (2012 est.) $15,500 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.5% (2013 est.) 3.9% (2012 est.) 6.5% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$57.11 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$56.27 billion (2013 est.) $54.37 billion (2012 est.) $52.31 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Gross national saving

17.3% of GDP (2013 est.) 15.8% of GDP (2012 est.) 16.4% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.9% 34.4% (2010 est.)

highest 10%

34.4% (2010 est.)

lowest 10%

1.9%

Imports

$12.5 billion (2013 est.) $12.26 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

China 16.4%, Brazil 14.9%, Argentina 14.6%, US 9.1%, Paraguay 7.3% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

6.6% (2013 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

8.3% (2013 est.) 8.1% (2012 est.)

Labor force

1.7 million (2013 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

13% 14% 73% (2010 est.)

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.)

Population below poverty line

18.6% (2010 est.)

Public debt

62.8% of GDP (2013 est.) 59.4% of GDP (2012 est.) 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

$16.32 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $13.6 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$8.689 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $8.648 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$422 million (31 December 2013 est.) $357 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$20.69 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $17.76 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$17.66 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $16.86 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$5.312 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $5.32 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

30% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.5% (2013 est.) 6% (2012 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

8.326 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

38,680 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

1,183 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)

Electricity - consumption

7.96 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - exports

19 million kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

39.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

59.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

477 million kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

2.588 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

9.5 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

80 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

80 million cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

51,100 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

4,656 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

16,420 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

43,440 bbl/day (2010 est.)

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 hosts

1.036 million (2012)

Internet users

1.405 million (2009)

Telephone system

fully digitalized 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 country code - 598; the UNISOR submarine cable system provides direct connectivity to Brazil and Argentina; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

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

general assessment

fully digitalized

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 - main lines in use

1.01 million (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

5 million (2012)

Airports

133 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

4

914 to 1,523 m

4

over 3,047 m

1

total

11

under 914 m

2 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

79 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

40

total

122

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 1, cargo 2, chemical tanker 3, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1 8 (Argentina 1, Denmark 1, Greece 1, Spain 5) 1 (Liberia 1) (2010)

foreign-owned

8 (Argentina 1, Denmark 1, Greece 1, Spain 5)

registered in other countries

1 (Liberia 1) (2010)

total

16

Pipelines

gas 257 km; oil 160 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Montevideo

major seaport(s)

Montevideo

Railways

1,641 km 1,641 km 1.435-m gauge (1,200 km operational) (2010)

total

1,641 km

Roadways

77,732 km 7,743 km 69,989 km (2010)

total

77,732 km

unpaved

69,989 km (2010)

Waterways

1,600 km (2011)

Manpower available for military service

771,159 780,932 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

780,932 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

771,159

Manpower fit for military service

649,025 654,903 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

654,903 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

649,025

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

27,564 26,811 (2010 est.)

female

26,811 (2010 est.)

male

27,564

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)

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)

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)

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

Uruguay is a source country for women and children subjected to sex trafficking and, to a lesser extent, a destination country for men, women, and children exploited in forced labor; most victims are women and girls exploited in sex trafficking; some Uruguayan women lured by fraudulent employment offers in Spain, Italy, and Argentina are forced into prostitution; foreign workers in domestic service and agriculture are vulnerable to forced labor in Uruguay; some human trafficking cases are reportedly linked to crime rings 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; the government investigated and prosecuted several trafficking cases during 2012 but reported no convictions; authorities have increased funding and staffing for the national women's institute unit that is focused on sex trafficking and domestic violence, but specialized services remain inadequate and victim care services outside the capital are uneven; officials lack formal procedures for identifying trafficking victims (2013)

current situation

Uruguay is a source country for women and children subjected to sex trafficking and, to a lesser extent, a destination country for men, women, and children exploited in forced labor; most victims are women and girls exploited in sex trafficking; some Uruguayan women lured by fraudulent employment offers in Spain, Italy, and Argentina are forced into prostitution; foreign workers in domestic service and agriculture are vulnerable to forced labor in Uruguay; some human trafficking cases are reportedly linked to 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; the government investigated and prosecuted several trafficking cases during 2012 but reported no convictions; authorities have increased funding and staffing for the national women's institute unit that is focused on sex trafficking and domestic violence, but specialized services remain inadequate and victim care services outside the capital are uneven; officials lack formal procedures for identifying trafficking victims (2013)