Uruguay
South America · South America
The Switzerland of South America: progressive laws, strong institutions, small and safe.
Digital Nomad
Ideal destination
Expat
Ideal destination
At a Glance
📈Uruguay's Human Development Index
0.830
Very High human development#51 of 191 countries worldwide, #3 of 12 in South America.
Higher than 74% of countries with data. UNDP Human Development Report.
UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita.
Closest indicators in this dataset
World Bank, own vintages. UNDP’s own component values are not carried here, so these are related measures rather than the index inputs.
Nearest countries by HDI
Uruguay
Uruguay is the smallest country in South America and one of the most quietly progressive, with a culture that values personal freedom, a coastline of Atlantic beaches and colonial towns, and a deeply food-centred social life built around beef, wine, and the shared ritual of the asado. Montevideo is a relaxed, walkable capital with a genuine quality of life. Those who enjoy a slow, thoughtful approach to travel, good steak, and a country comfortable in its own skin will find it very appealing.
- First country in Latin America to fully legalise cannabis — in 2013.
- First in Latin America to legalise same-sex marriage, in the same year.
- Highest HDI and lowest corruption in Latin America — consistently, not occasionally.
Quick Facts
Capital
Montevideo
Language
Spanish
Currency
$ UYU
Area
175,020 km²
Nomad Hub
Fixed Broadband
177Mbps
Digital Nomad Visa
Min. Income
No minimum
Duration
6 months
Renewable
Yes
Application Fee
~UI 55.71
~$9
GDP / Capita
$25K
PPP / Capita
$38K
Inflation
4.7%
Unemployment
7.5%
Innovation (GII)
28.8
GNI / Capita
$24K
Tax Revenue
17.9%
FDI Inflows
1.3%
Education Spend
4.8%
Cost of Living
55.6
Price Level Index
22nd pct
20-Year Trend + IMF Forecast
Income & inflation over time
HDI since 1990
0.702 → 0.830 (+0.128)Year by year →UNDP Human Development Report, 2023-24 edition. 33 annual values, none interpolated; hover any point for its year.
Twenty years here
Year by year →The world report →World Bank observations, first to last available year per indicator (roughly 2005–2024; each series has its own window).
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💬Quick answers
What is Uruguay's Human Development Index?
Uruguay's Human Development Index is 0.830 (UNDP Human Development Report), ranked #51 of 191 countries.
Is Uruguay safe?
Uruguay scores 1.75 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #43 of 160 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.
How expensive is Uruguay?
Numbeo's cost-of-living index puts Uruguay at 55.6 (New York = 100); that is #114 cheapest of 143 countries with data.
What is life expectancy in Uruguay?
Life expectancy at birth in Uruguay is 78.3 yrs (World Bank), ranked #52 of 195 countries.
What is the quality of life in Uruguay?
Numbeo's quality-of-life index scores Uruguay at 139.1, ranked #47 of 87 countries with data. It composites purchasing power, safety, healthcare, cost of living, commute and pollution from resident surveys, so it reflects what residents report rather than what an economy produces.