Uruguay: Statistical Overview

Total Population: 3,422,794

Natural Increase: -0.1%

Density: 20 Inhabitants/km²

Urban Population: 95.7%

Population of main cities: Montevideo (1,304,700); Salto (104,100); Ciudad de la Costa (95,200); Paysandu (76,500); Las Piedras (71,300); Rivera (64,500); Maldonado (62,600); Tacuarembó (54,800); Melo (51,900)

Ethnic Origins: The Uruguayan population is mainly from a European background (nearly 88%), originally from Spanish and Italian immigration, but there are also about 5% of Afro-descendants and 2% of indigenous origin. The remaining 5% are either of another origin (mainly Asian) or did not answer this question in the census. (National Institute of Statistics of Uruguay)

Official Language: Spanish 

Other Languages Spoken: 94% of the citizens speak only Spanish. Therefore, Spanish is the common language used in politics and in cultural and economic fields. English is used occasionally in commercial activities. Other languages, such as French, Portuguese or German are not used very often.

Business Language(s): Spanish, English

Religion: Catholic 66%, Jewish 2%, Protestant 2%, Other 30%.

Literacy Rate: 98.0%

Area: 176,220 km²

Type of State: The Oriental Republic of Uruguay is a constitutional republic based on parliamentary democracy with a strong presidential form of government.

Type of Economy: Upper-middle-income economy.
An economy marked by agriculture, the agri-food industry and tourism. Advanced education and social security systems.

HDI*: 0.793/1

HDI (World Rank): 52/188

Telephone Code:
To call from Uruguay, dial 00
To call Uruguay, dial +598

Internet Suffix: .uy

Computers: 13.6 per 100 Inhabitants

Telephone Lines: 29.8 per 100 Inhabitants

Internet Users: 55.1 per 100 Inhabitants

Access to Electricity: 99.5% of the Population