Quick facts
Uruguay population overview
Uruguay is the 10th most populous of 14 countries and territories in South America. The United Nations put the population at 3,384,492 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.1% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 6 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 32,830 births (9.7 per 1,000 people) and 33,845 deaths (10 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 1,354 people. The infant mortality rate is 5.6 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 2,529,957 in 1960 to 3,384,688 in 2025 — a change of +33.8%, or +0.4% per year on average. It peaked at 3,398,968 in 2020 and has declined 0.5% since.
Demographically, the median age is 36.7 years; life expectancy at birth is 78.6 years; women have on average 1.4 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 17.9% of residents are under 15 and 16.3% are 65 or older (2025); 95.7% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Montevideo. Uruguay covers 176,220 km², giving a population density of about 19.2 people per km². GDP was $85.35B in 2025 — about $25,216 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Uruguay population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) #134 of 238 → | 3,382,595 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 3,384,492 |
| World rank | #134 of 238 |
| Rank in South America | #10 of 14 |
| Share of world population | 0.041% |
| Annual growth rate #177 of 238 → | -0.1% |
| Births per year est. | 32,830 |
| Deaths per year est. | 33,845 |
| Net migration per year est. · #133 of 238 → | -1,354 |
| Birth rate #161 of 216 → | 9.7 per 1,000 |
| Death rate #40 of 216 → | 10 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality #153 of 238 → | 5.6 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio #191 of 238 → | 94.3 males per 100 females |
| Median age #96 of 238 → | 36.7 years |
| Life expectancy #64 of 216 → | 78.6 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 · #178 of 216 → | 1.4 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 · #17 of 216 → | 95.7% |
| Surface area 2023 · #90 of 215 → | 176,220 km² |
| Population density #187 of 215 → | 19.2 per km² |
| Capital | Montevideo |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 · #85 of 212 → | $85.35B |
| GDP per capita 2025 · #66 of 212 → | $25,216 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Uruguay population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 3,382,595 | – | – |
| 2025 | 3,384,688 | -1,900 | -0.1% |
| 2024 | 3,386,588 | -1,493 | 0% |
| 2023 | 3,388,081 | -2,832 | -0.1% |
| 2022 | 3,390,913 | -5,782 | -0.2% |
| 2021 | 3,396,695 | -2,273 | -0.1% |
| 2020 | 3,398,968 | +30,951 | +0.2% |
| 2015 | 3,368,017 | +49,437 | +0.3% |
| 2010 | 3,318,580 | +32,809 | +0.2% |
| 2005 | 3,285,771 | +19,565 | +0.1% |
| 2000 | 3,266,206 | +76,766 | +0.5% |
| 1995 | 3,189,440 | +85,037 | +0.5% |
| 1990 | 3,104,403 | +87,366 | +0.6% |
| 1985 | 3,017,037 | +65,084 | +0.4% |
| 1980 | 2,951,953 | +79,633 | +0.5% |
| 1975 | 2,872,320 | +81,513 | +0.6% |
| 1970 | 2,790,807 | +109,638 | +0.8% |
| 1965 | 2,681,169 | +151,212 | +1.2% |
| 1960 | 2,529,957 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
Largest cities in Uruguay
| # | City | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montevideo Capital | 1,270,737 | 37.6% |
| 2 | Salto | 114,084 | 3.4% |
| 3 | Maldonado | 102,000 | 3% |
| 4 | Rivera | 84,775 | 2.5% |
| 5 | Paysandú | 81,550 | 2.4% |
| 6 | Las Piedras | 69,682 | 2.1% |
| 7 | Tacuarembó | 60,586 | 1.8% |
| 8 | Melo | 56,013 | 1.7% |
Montevideo is the largest city with 1,270,737 people and is also the capital. City figures are the latest official estimates for the city proper, so shares are approximate. Full list of Uruguay cities →
About Uruguay
Population over time
- From 2,529,957 in 1960 to 3,382,595 today — up 33.7%.
- Population peaked at 3,398,968 in 2020 and is down 0.5% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0% per year.
- World rank: Population #134 of 238 · Population growth rate #177 of 238.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 78.3 years (2024), up 10.6 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.4 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
- World rank: Life expectancy #64 of 216 · Fertility rate #178 of 216.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 9.8 births vs 9.9 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Deaths outnumber births — natural decrease of 0.1 per 1,000 a year.
- World rank: Birth rate #161 of 216 · Death rate #40 of 216.
Age structure
- 17.9% of the population is under 15 and 16.3% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 8.2% in 1960 — the population is aging.
- World rank: Population under 15 #141 of 216 · Population aged 65+ #59 of 216 · Median age #96 of 238.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 8.7 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 8.88 Mt in 2012 — down 2.1% since.
- Per person: 2.57 t in 2024, vs 1.94 t in 1970.
- World rank: CO₂ emissions #114 of 203 · CO₂ emissions per capita #101 of 203.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 1,771.5 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 144.5% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 57.8% of final energy in 2021 (+13 points since 1990).
- World rank: Energy use per capita #63 of 150 · Renewable energy share #41 of 212.
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 12% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 4.6% to 12% since 1990 — roughly 13,049 km² of forest gained.
- World rank: Forest area #152 of 213.
Urban population (% of total)
- 95.7% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 80.2% in 1960 (+15.5 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
- World rank: Urban population #17 of 216.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 4.9% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 27,190 m³ in 2022, down 24.4% since 1961.
- World rank: Freshwater resources per capita #23 of 183 · Water stress #105 of 177.
Economy
- GDP: $85.35B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 48% since 2015.
- That works out to $25,216 per person.
- World rank: GDP #85 of 212 · GDP per capita #66 of 212.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 7.5% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 4.7% in 2025.
- World rank: Unemployment rate #59 of 186 · Inflation rate #50 of 191.
Internet & mobile
- 92% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 145.5 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
- World rank: Internet users #49 of 209 · Mobile subscriptions #34 of 210.
Uruguay in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Uruguay in 2026?
As of October 2026, Uruguay has an estimated population of 3,382,595. The United Nations estimated 3,384,492 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.1% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Uruguay growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.1% per year — roughly 6 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 32,830 births and 33,845 deaths, with net migration of -1,354.
What is the population density of Uruguay?
About 19.2 people per square kilometre: 3,382,595 people living on 176,220 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Uruguay?
The median age is 36.7 years, and life expectancy at birth is 78.6 years. 17.9% of the population is under 15 and 16.3% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Uruguay rank by population?
Uruguay is the 134th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 10th in South America, with 0.041% of the global population.
How has the population of Uruguay changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 2,529,957; by 2025 it had grown to 3,384,688 (+33.8%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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Glostats. (2026). Uruguay Population 2026 — Live Counter. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://glostats.com/country/uruguay/<a href="https://glostats.com/country/uruguay/">Uruguay Population 2026 — Live Counter</a> — GlostatsFigures on this page may be quoted, charted or republished as long as the page is credited with a link. Terms · Download the data as CSV · Embed a live counter.
Sources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.1%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-20. More about our data.