Demographics of Uruguay explained

Size Of Population: 3.444.263 (2023 census)[1]
Density: 19.43/km2
Growth: 0.27% (2023 est.)[2]
Birth: 12.65 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)
Death: 9.12 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)
Life: 78.66 years
Life Male: 75.58 years
Life Female: 81.86 years (2023 est.)
Infant Mortality: 8.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)
Fertility: 1.75 children born/woman (2023 est.)
Net Migration: -0.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Age 0-14 Years: 18.9% (male 329,268/ female 317,925)
Age 15-64 Years: 65.4% (male 1,112,622/ female 1,128,418)
Age 65 Years: 15.7% (male 218,242/ female 318,855) (2023 est.)
Total Mf Ratio:0.94 male(s)/female (2023 est.)
Sr At Birth:1.04 male(s)/female
Sr Under 15:1.04 male(s)/female
Sr 15-64 Years:0.98 male(s)/female
Sr 65 Years Over:0.68 male(s)/female
Spoken:ItalianGalicianBasque

This is a demography of the population of Uruguay including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.

Population

According to the total population was in, compared to only 2,239,000 in 1950. The proportion of children below the age of 15 in 2015 was 21.4%, 64.2% was between 15 and 65 years of age, while 14.4% was 65 years or older.[3]

Total populationProportion
aged 0–14
(%)
Proportion
aged 15–64
(%)
Proportion
aged 65+
(%)
19502 239 00027.963.98.2
19552 373 00027.664.38.1
19602 539 00027.864.18.1
19652 695 00028.163.68.3
19702 810 00027.963.38.8
19752 830 00027.762.79.6
19802 916 00026.962.710.4
19853 012 00026.862.310.9
19903 110 00026.062.411.6
19953 225 00025.062.612.4
20003 321 00024.562.413.0
20053 326 00023.862.813.5
20103 374 00022.563.713.8
20153 432 00021.464.214.4

Structure of the population

Age groupMaleFemaleTotal%
Total1 577 4161 708 4613 285 877100
0-4112 704107 641220 3456.71
5-9121 820116 248238 0687.25
10-14131 022125 530256 5527.81
15-19133 042128 649261 6917.96
20-24119 928121 078241 0067.33
25-29112 852115 533228 3856.95
30-34113 884119 481233 3657.10
35-39108 704113 817222 5216.77
40-4498 612104 486203 0986.18
45-4995 812102 961198 7736.05
50-5493 175101 390194 5655.92
55-5981 82891 179173 0075.27
60-6469 86480 911150 7754.59
65-6958 76972 794131 5634.00
70-7447 70564 690112 3953.42
75-7936 80656 85393 6592.85
80-8424 91245 59370 5052.15
85-8911 53525 89137 4261.14
90-943 63610 47714 1130.43
95-997332 8133 5460.11
100+734465190.02
Age groupMaleFemaleTotalPercent
0-14365 546349 419714 96521.76
15-641 027 7011 079 4852 107 18664.13
65+184 169279 557464 02614.12
Age GroupMaleFemaleTotal%
Total1 718 0891 824 9363 543 026100
0–4115 596110 257225 8536.37
5–9117 523112 140229 6636.48
10–14120 433115 127 235 5606.65
15–19127 596122 265249 8617.05
20–24135 201130 480265 682 7.50
25–29134 040131 180 265 2207.49
30–34125 736124 495250 2317.06
35–39118 584119 068237 6526.71
40–44118 608122 445241 0536.80
45–49111 148115 632 226 7806.40
50–5499 048106 336205 3845.80
55–5994 956104 859199 8165.64
60–6486 97499 168186 1425.25
65-6971 45386 108157 5604.45
70-7454 56871 791126 3603.57
75-7939 69558 860 98 5552.78
80-8425 48744 66270 1491.98
85-8914 09830 17944 2771.25
90+7 34319 88527 2270.77
Age group MaleFemaleTotalPercent
0–14353 552337 524691 07619.51
15–641 151 8931 175 9272 327 82065.70
65+212 644311 485524 12914.79

Vital statistics

UN estimates

The Population Department of the United Nations prepared the following estimates for Uruguay.[4]

PeriodLive births
per year
Deaths
per year
Natural change
per year
CBR*CDR*NC*TFR*IMR*Life expectancy
totalmalesfemales
1950–1955 49,00024,00025,00021.210.510.72.735766.063.369.3
1955–1960 54,00025,00029,00021.910.011.92.835367.064.270.3
1960–1965 57,00025,00032,00021.99.512.42.904868.365.371.5
1965–1970 56,00026,00030,00020.59.610.82.804768.565.571.8
1970–1975 60,00028,00032,00021.110.011.13.004668.765.672.1
1975–1980 58,00029,00029,00020.210.110.12.894269.566.373.1
1980–1985 54,00029,00025,00018.39.88.52.573470.967.674.5
1985–1990 56,00030,00026,00018.29.88.42.532372.168.675.7
1990–1995 58,00031,00027,00018.29.78.52.492073.069.276.8
1995–2000 55,00031,00024,00016.99.57.42.301674.270.477.9
2000–2005 53,00031,00022,00015.99.56.52.201475.371.678.9
2005–2010 51,00031,00020,00015.19.35.82.121376.472.779.9
2010–2015 49,00032,00017,00014.59.45.12.051177.173.680.5
2015–2020 49,00032,00017,00014.19.34.82.001077.974.581.1
  • CBR = crude birth rate (per 1000); CDR = crude death rate (per 1000); NC = natural change (per 1000); IMR = infant mortality rate per 1000 births; TFR = total fertility rate (number of children per woman)

Total fertility rate (1880–1899)

The total fertility rate is the number of children born per woman. It is based on fairly good data for the entire period. Sources: Our World In Data and Gapminder Foundation.

Births and deaths

Average population[5] [6] Live birthsDeathsNatural changeCrude birth rate (per 1000)Crude death rate (per 1000)Natural change (per 1000)Crude migration rate (per 1000)Total fertility rate
1900926,00030,58012,87817,70233.013.919.1 4.5
1901951,00031,70312,50419,19933.313.120.26.14.41
1902976,00031,52613,43918,08732.313.818.57.1 4.31
19031,004,00032,60013,67318,92732.513.618.99.04.34
19041,023,00026,98411,51515,46926.411.315.13.54.37
19051,056,00033,70913,61220,09731.912.919.012.34.4
19061,087,00032,57815,08317,49530.013.916.112.44.42
19071,124,00033,65715,56118,09629.913.816.116.84.45
19081,043,00035,52014,42121,09934.113.820.2-97.94.43
19091,079,00035,66315,24920,41433.114.118.914.54.41
19101,116,00035,92716,51519,41232.214.817.415.84.38
19111,160,00037,53016,55220,97832.414.318.119.84.36
19121,208,00039,17116,74522,42632.413.918.621.14.34
19131,261,00040,31515,37424,94132.012.219.822.24.22
19141,297,00038,57115,35023,22129.711.817.99.94.1
19151,327,00038,04616,60221,44428.712.516.26.43.98
19161,359,00036,98320,33816,64527.215.012.211.33.86
19171,387,00036,75217,34819,40426.512.514.06.23.74
19181,409,00038,91420,00918,90527.614.213.42.23.69
19191,442,00039,30718,90420,40327.313.114.18.83.64
19201,473,00039,33519,04120,29426.712.913.87.23.59
19211,505,00039,61118,44921,16226.312.314.17.23.53
19221,542,00040,26116,41523,84626.110.615.58.53.48
19231,579,00040,23118,11022,12125.511.514.09.43.45
19241,616,00041,88019,13222,74825.911.814.18.83.43
19251,653,00042,16719,33222,83525.511.713.88.63.4
19261,695,00043,09117,82825,26325.410.514.99.93.37
19271,737,00042,84519,93922,90624.711.513.211.03.34
19281,782,00044,63219,07025,56225.010.714.311.03.27
19291,823,00044,23619,66024,57624.310.813.59.03.2
19301,875,00045,71820,04925,66924.410.713.714.03.13
19311,922,00044,85421,16323,69123.311.012.312.23.06
19321,956,00044,03619,82524,21122.510.112.45.02.99
19331,982,00041,65020,35821,29221.010.310.72.42.93
19342,007,00041,33720,06521,27220.610.010.61.92.86
19352,030,00041,42621,51419,91220.410.69.81.52.8
19362,053,00040,70519,84320,86219.89.710.21.02.74
19372,080,00041,33721,56119,77619.910.49.53.52.68
19382,108,00041,70121,65820,04319.810.39.53.8
19392,132,00042,86219,34123,52120.19.111.00.3
19402,155,00042,89320,69522,19819.99.610.30.4
19412,175,00044,28720,38123,90620.49.411.0-1.8
19422,194,00042,67020,64622,02419.49.410.0-1.3
19432,211,00043,50020,73822,76219.79.410.3-2.6
19442,216,00046,44319,99026,45321.09.011.9-9.6
19452,266,00049,02119,62729,39421.68.713.09.1
19462,290,00048,97818,41530,56321.48.013.3-2.8
19472,317,00046,79620,13926,65720.28.711.50.2
19482,343,00049,03319,32629,70720.98.212.7-1.6
19492,383,00054,83818,35136,48723.07.715.31.5
19502,239,00056,85819,19937,65925.48.616.8-81.1
19512,261,00045,28119,19026,09120.08.511.5-1.8
19522,286,00046,71019,08327,62720.48.412.1-1.2
19532,313,00047,46419,40828,05620.58.412.1-0.4
19542,342,00049,88819,15330,73521.38.213.1-0.7
19552,373,00056,11120,61135,50023.78.715.0-1.8
19562,405,00056,38919,89536,49423.58.315.2-1.9
19572,438,00056,33721,72234,61523.18.914.2-0.7
19582,471,00057,10020,93736,16323.18.514.6-1.2
19592,505,00056,58923,52333,06622.69.413.20.4
19602,539,00056,30222,10438,50722.28.715.2-1.8
19612,572,00054,95021,95442,50321.48.516.5-3.7
19622,604,00056,12022,56343,54121.68.716.7-4.4
19632,635,00057,14123,52439,54221.78.915.0-3.2
19642,666,00055,10024,11838,70720.79.014.5-2.9
19652,695,00053,83024,77435,44020.09.213.2-2.4
19662,723,00051,12024,86233,96618.89.112.5-2.2
19672,750,00052,01026,48434,02418.99.612.4-2.6
19682,775,00053,33025,99135,27719.29.412.7-3.7
19692,795,00056,75027,54428,45620.39.910.2-3.0
19702,810,00054,87026,44128,42919.59.410.1-4.8
19712,818,00055,99028,52727,46319.910.19.7-6.9
19722,822,00056,47028,32728,14320.010.010.0-8.6
19732,822,00056,64028,43828,20220.110.110.0-10.0
19742,824,00058,28028,28929,99120.710.010.6-9.9
19752,830,00059,14027,43731,70320.99.711.2-9.1
19762,842,00059,19028,84530,34520.810.210.7-6.5
19772,857,00057,97628,92729,04920.310.110.2-4.9
19782,876,00057,27628,04129,23519.99.810.2-3.6
19792,896,00055,77028,32127,44919.39.89.5-2.6
19802,916,00053,85429,84424,01019.110.68.5-1.6
19812,935,00053,92327,64426,27918.49.49.0-2.5
19822,954,00053,71327,18626,52718.29.29.0-2.6
19832,973,00053,40528,47524,93018.09.68.4-2.0
19842,993,00053,34830,01123,33717.810.07.8-1.1
19853,012,00053,76628,56625,20017.99.58.4-2.1
19863,031,00054,08028,79125,28917.99.58.4-2.1
19873,050,00053,36829,88523,48317.59.87.7-1.5
19883,069,00055,79830,91224,88618.210.18.1-1.9
19893,089,00055,32429,62125,70317.99.68.3-1.8
19903,110,00056,01330,21026,27718.09.78.5-1.7
19913,132,00054,75429,77424,98017.59.58.0-1.02.51
19923,155,00054,19030,00824,18217.29.57.7-0.42.49
19933,178,00055,95331,61624,33717.69.97.7-0.52.47
19943,201,00055,99030,12225,86817.59.48.1-0.92.44
19953,224,00056,69531,52525,17017.69.87.8-0.72.40
19963,248,00058,86231,10827,75418.19.68.5-1.12.36
19973,271,00058,03230,45127,58117.79.38.4-1.42.33
19983,292,00054,76031,91722,84316.69.76.9-0.52.29
19993,309,00054,00432,43021,57416.39.86.5-1.42.27
20003,321,00052,77030,45622,31415.99.26.7-3.12.24
20013,327,00051,95931,22820,73115.69.46.2-4.42.22
20023,328,00051,95331,62820,32515.69.56.1-5.82.21
20033,325,00050,63132,58718,04415.29.85.4-6.32.19
20043,324,00050,05232,22017,83215.19.75.4-5.72.17
20053,325,00046,94432,31914,62514.19.74.4-4.12.16
20063,330,00047,41031,05616,35414.29.34.9-3.42.14
20073,338,00047,37333,70613,66714.210.14.1-1.72.13
20083,349,00047,48431,36316,12114.29.44.8-1.52.11
20093,360,00047,15232,17914,97314.19.64.5-1.22.09
20103,372,00047,42033,47413,94614.110.04.2-0.62.08
20113,383,00046,69932,80713,89213.99.74.1-0.82.06
20123,426,00048,20033,00215,19814.39.84.58.12.05
20133,440,00048,68132,79515,88614.29.54.7-0.62.03
20143,453,00048,36832,12016,24814.09.44.6-0.82.02
20153,467,00048,92632,96715,95914.19.54.6-0.61.95
20163,479,00047,04934,27412,77513.59.83.7-0.31.87
20173,493,00043,03633,1739,86312.39.52.81.21.71
20183,506,00040,13934,2695,87011.49.81.62.11.60
20193,518,00037,46834,8072,66110.69.90.72.71.50
20203,530,91235,86632,6403,22610.29.21.02.71.40
20213,543,02634,59741,729style="color: red"-7,1329.811.8style="color: red"-2.05.41.34
20223,554,91532,30139,376style="color: red"-7,0759.111.1style="color: red"-2.05.31.28
20233,444,30031,38134,677style="color: red"-3,2969.110.1style="color: red"-1.0-31.11.25

Current vital statistics

[7]

PeriodLive birthsDeathsNatural increase
January - May 202216,657
January - May 202313,750
Difference -2,907 (-17.45%)

Origins and ethnicity

Most Uruguayans are descended from colonial-era settlers and immigrants from Europe with almost 88% of the population being of either sole or partial European descent,[8] with a majority of these being Spaniards, followed closely by Italians, and smaller numbers of French, Germans, Portuguese, British (English or Scots), Irish, Swiss, Russians, Poles, Bulgarians, Hungarians, Ukrainians, Lithuanians, Estonians, Latvians, Swedes, Danes, Dutch, Belgians, Austrians, Croats, Serbs, Greeks and others.

There are also smaller numbers of Western Asian (Turks, Israelis, and Lebanese) and South Caucasus ethnic groups (Armenians, Georgians, and Azeris).

Many Swiss settlements (colonias or "colonies"), such as Colonia Suiza, Colonia Valdense and Nueva Helvecia, were founded in the department of Colonia. Also, there are towns founded by early British settlers, such as Conchillas and Barker. A Russian colony called San Javier was founded in the 1910s in the department of Río Negro. There are also Mennonite colonies in the department of Río Negro and in the department of Canelones.

Many of the European immigrants arrived in the late 19th century and have heavily influenced the architecture and culture of Montevideo and other major cities. For this reason, Montevideo and life within the city are very reminiscent of Western Europe.

The rest of the Uruguayan population is Black/Afro-Uruguayan of African descent and about 1 or 2% are of Asian descent, mostly are Lebanese/Syrian Arab, and Chinese or Japanese ancestry.

Amerindians descendants make up a small population in the Rural North region, with Mestizos making up 6% of the population.

Uruguay has the highest percentage of self-identified White Latin Americans of any country in Latin America, however genetic studies have found that over a third of Uruguayans in the samples studied had Amerindian admixture.[9] [10]

Demographic distribution

Metropolitan Montevideo, with about one and a half million inhabitants, is the capital and largest city. The rest of the urban population lives in about 20 towns. Montevideo is about 200km (100miles) away from Buenos Aires in neighboring Argentina.

Uruguay is distinguished by its high literacy rate (97.3%) and a large urban middle class.

As a result of the low birth rate, high life expectancy, and relatively high rate of emigration of younger people, Uruguay's population is quite mature. In 2006, the country had a birth rate of 13.91 births per thousand population, lower than neighboring countries Argentina (16.73 births/1000 population)[3] and Brazil (16.56 births/1,000 population).

Emigration

See main article: article and Emigration from Uruguay. During the past four decades, an estimated 500,000 Uruguayans had emigrated, principally to Brazil, Argentina and Europe. (Argentina is the main destination for Uruguayans, but they are also drawn to Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy, France and Germany.)[11] Other Uruguayans went to various countries in Europe, Australia and the USA.

Neighboring ties and short distances between Uruguayan cities and Argentine capital Buenos Aires, have drawn a path of success for very talented Uruguayans who settled in the neighbor country and became famous and locally accepted. Some famous Uruguayans who excelled in Argentina are entrepreneur and financier Juan Navarro, sports journalist Victor Hugo Morales, singer and actress Natalia Oreiro, soccer players Antonio Alzamendi, Enzo Francescoli and Carlos Goyen, actor Daniel Hendler, actress China Zorrilla, entertainer Carlos Perciavalle and former playboy and journalist Luis César Avilés.

Emigration to the United States also rose at the beginning of the century, but remains a small part of the US population. The majority of Uruguayans in the US live in New York City, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., Florida, and urban areas of California.

Religion

See main article: article and Religion in Uruguay. Uruguay has no official religion, church and state are officially separated, and religious freedom is guaranteed. A 2008 survey by the Instituto Nacional de Estadística of Uruguay gave Catholicism as the main religion, with 45.7% of the population, 9.0% are non-Catholic Christians, 0.6% are Animists or Umbandists (an Afro-Brazilian religion) and 0.4% Jewish. 30.1% reported believing in a god, but not belonging to any religion, while 14% were Atheist or Agnostic.[12] Among the sizeable Armenian community in Montevideo the dominant religion is Christianity, specifically Armenian Apostolic.[13]

Political observers consider Uruguay the most secular country in the Americas.[14] Uruguay's secularization began with the relatively minor role of the church in the colonial era, compared with other parts of the Spanish Empire. The small numbers of Uruguay's Indians and their fierce resistance to proselytism reduced the influence of the ecclesiastical authorities.

After independence, anticlerical ideas spread to Uruguay, particularly from France, further eroding the influence of the church.[15] In 1837, civil marriage was recognized and in 1861 the state took over the running of public cemeteries. In 1907, divorce was legalized and in 1909, all religious instruction was banned from state schools. Under the influence of the Colorado reformer José Batlle y Ordóñez (1903–1911) complete separation of church and state was introduced with the new constitution of 1917.[16]

Demographic statistics

Demographic statistics according to the World Population Review in 2019.

Demographic statistics according to the CIA World Factbook, unless otherwise indicated.

Population

3,369,299 (July 2014 est.)

3,400,425 (July 2018 est.)

3,416,264 (2023 est.)

Note: The 2011 Census of the National Statistics Institute of Uruguay began in September 2011 and the preliminary results, stating population of departments, were announced in December 2011. Final results with numbers for localities were still pending as of 26 June 2012.

Age structure

0-14 years: 19.91% (male 341,402 /female 329,474)

15-24 years: 15.56% (male 265,486 /female 258,611)

25-54 years: 39.48% (male 658,871 /female 671,172)

55-64 years: 10.68% (male 169,385 /female 190,392)

65 years and over: 14.38% (male 194,269 /female 290,237) (2018 est.)

Median age

total: 35.5 years. Country comparison to the world: 82nd

male: 33.8 years

female: 37.3 years (2020 est.)

total: 33.6 years

male: 32 years

female: 35.2 years (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 78.66 years. Country comparison to the world: 71st

male: 75.58 years

female: 81.86 years (2023 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 95.8% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.4% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Sex ratio

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.5% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

9,900 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS – deaths

fewer than 500 (2007 est.)

Languages

Spanish, Portuguese, Uruguayan Sign Language.

There are other ethnic minorities speaking their original languages: Italian, Catalan, German, etc.

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.6%

male: 98.2%

female: 99% (2017 est.)

total population: 98%

male: 97.6%

female: 98.4% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 16 years

male: 14 years

female: 17 years (2008)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 23.8%. Country comparison to the world: 52nd

male: 20.2%

female: 28.7% (2016 est.)

Education expenditures

4.5% of GDP (2008)

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: 1 . May 2021 . Instituto Nacional de Estadística. Departamento de Difusión y Comunicación . Proyecto Censal Censo de Población, Hogares y Viviendas 2023 .
  2. Web site: Uruguay . 10 May 2022 .
  3. Web site: World Population Prospects - Population Division - United Nations. esa.un.org.
  4. Web site: World Population Prospects - Population Division - United Nations. https://web.archive.org/web/20110506065230/http://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/index.htm. dead. 6 May 2011. population.un.org.
  5. Web site: United nations. Demographic Yearbooks. Unstats.un.org. 15 January 2018.
  6. Web site: Instituto Nacional de Estadistica: Estadisticas vitales. Ine.gub.uy. 15 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20130918154131/http://www.ine.gub.uy/socio-demograficos/vitales2008.asp. 18 September 2013. dead.
  7. Excess mortality using raw death counts . Our World in Data . 5 March 2020 . 22 October 2022 . Mathieu . Edouard . Ritchie . Hannah . Rodés-Guirao . Lucas . Appel . Cameron . Giattino . Charlie . Hasell . Joe . MacDonald . Bobbie . Dattani . Saloni . Beltekian . Diana . Ortiz-Ospina . Esteban . Roser . Max .
  8. Web site: Constituciones hispanoamericanas. Cervantesvirtual.com. 15 January 2018.
  9. Web site: En Uruguay hay 115.118 descendientes de indígenas . 14 July 2011 .
  10. Web site: En Uruguay un 34% de la población tiene ascendencia indígena .
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  12. Web site: Encuesta Continua de Hogares 2008 – Religion . Instituto Nacional de Estadística . 2010-12-02 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101114015256/http://www.ine.gub.uy/anda/ddibrowser/?id=11&section=variable&varid=V157 . 14 November 2010 . dmy .
  13. Web site: 1/0 Technology Corp. – Paul R. Williams, John BUDDAY Running . Armenian General Benevolent Union – Publications . Agbu.org . 2010-12-02 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101116205137/http://agbu.org/publications/article.asp?A_ID=533 . 16 November 2010 . dmy .
  14. Web site: UMM | Latin American Area Studies – Countries . Morris.umn.edu . 27 August 2009 . 2010-06-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100714153604/http://www.morris.umn.edu/academic/laas/Uruguay.html . 14 July 2010 . dead .
  15. Web site: Explore Uruguay – About Uruguay Government . Explore Uruguay . 23 March 2011.
  16. Web site: Religion – Uruguay . Library of Congress Country Studies . 23 February 2011.