GeoRealityMatch
Montevideo landmark sign with city skyline and beach view, capturing Uruguay's iconic coastal urban setting.A serene view of Montevideo's skyline reflecting on the waterfront under a clear blue sky.

Uruguay

South America

High safetyModerate cost of livingVery high development

Human development is high, and essential health services reach most people.

Digital NomadOffers a digital nomad visa and home internet at 177 Mbps.ExpatCombines very high development and high safety.
vs Chilevs Argentina
Safety

43rd most peaceful of 161

Global Peace Index
1.754lower is more peacefulHigh safety
#43 of 161
IEP GPI · 2026
Homicides
11.2per 100,000 people a yearVery highUNODC / World Bank · 2023
Money

Incomes above the median country

GNI per person
$24,020national income per person, US dollarsHigh
World Bank · 2025
Rent index
14.7New York = 100ModerateNumbeo · 2026
Property price to income
13.3years of median income to buy a median flatModerateNumbeo · 2026

Income and inflation over time

Income per person rose 320% in current dollars from 2006 to 2025, and rose 67% after inflation.

GDP per person, current US$At purchasing power parityInflation

$0$20K$40K$38,315 PPP$25,216Inflation, % a year10%0200620102015202020252006, $6,001 a person, $13,179 at PPP, inflation 6.4%2007, $7,222 a person, $14,397 at PPP, inflation 8.1%2008, $9,424 a person, $15,694 at PPP, inflation 7.9%2009, $9,881 a person, $16,422 at PPP, inflation 7.1%2010, $12,641 a person, $17,873 at PPP, inflation 6.7%2011, $15,132 a person, $19,135 at PPP, inflation 8.1%2012, $16,260 a person, $19,495 at PPP, inflation 8.1%2013, $18,335 a person, $20,661 at PPP, inflation 8.6%2014, $18,322 a person, $21,868 at PPP, inflation 8.9%2015, $17,126 a person, $22,169 at PPP, inflation 8.7%2016, $17,010 a person, $22,841 at PPP, inflation 9.6%2017, $19,185 a person, $23,607 at PPP, inflation 6.2%2018, $19,250 a person, $24,386 at PPP, inflation 7.6%2019, $18,316 a person, $25,783 at PPP, inflation 7.9%2020, $15,758 a person, $25,725 at PPP, inflation 9.8%2021, $17,882 a person, $29,432 at PPP, inflation 7.7%2022, $21,009 a person, $33,034 at PPP, inflation 9.1%2023, $23,379 a person, $34,546 at PPP, inflation 5.9%2024, $24,308 a person, $36,597 at PPP, inflation 4.8%2025, $25,216 a person, $38,315 at PPP, inflation 4.7%$0$20K$40KInflation, % a year10%0200620102015202020252006, $6,001 a person, $13,179 at PPP, inflation 6.4%2007, $7,222 a person, $14,397 at PPP, inflation 8.1%2008, $9,424 a person, $15,694 at PPP, inflation 7.9%2009, $9,881 a person, $16,422 at PPP, inflation 7.1%2010, $12,641 a person, $17,873 at PPP, inflation 6.7%2011, $15,132 a person, $19,135 at PPP, inflation 8.1%2012, $16,260 a person, $19,495 at PPP, inflation 8.1%2013, $18,335 a person, $20,661 at PPP, inflation 8.6%2014, $18,322 a person, $21,868 at PPP, inflation 8.9%2015, $17,126 a person, $22,169 at PPP, inflation 8.7%2016, $17,010 a person, $22,841 at PPP, inflation 9.6%2017, $19,185 a person, $23,607 at PPP, inflation 6.2%2018, $19,250 a person, $24,386 at PPP, inflation 7.6%2019, $18,316 a person, $25,783 at PPP, inflation 7.9%2020, $15,758 a person, $25,725 at PPP, inflation 9.8%2021, $17,882 a person, $29,432 at PPP, inflation 7.7%2022, $21,009 a person, $33,034 at PPP, inflation 9.1%2023, $23,379 a person, $34,546 at PPP, inflation 5.9%2024, $24,308 a person, $36,597 at PPP, inflation 4.8%2025, $25,216 a person, $38,315 at PPP, inflation 4.7%

World Bank: GDP per person in current US dollars and at PPP, real GDP per person, consumer price inflation. Observed years only.

Health

Above-average life expectancy

Life expectancy
78.3years, at birthHigh
#52 of 195
World Bank · 2024
Health coverage
85WHO universal health coverage index, 0 to 100Very highWHO · 2023
Air pollution
11.5PM2.5, micrograms per cubic metre, national averageLowWHO · 2023
Work and internet

Very fast home internet

Unemployment rate
7.5%share of the labour force without a jobWorld Bank · 2025
Home internet
177 Mbpsmedian download speedVery fastOokla Speedtest · 2025
English proficiency
542EF English Proficiency Index scoreModerateEF EPI · 2025

Internet speeds

Home internet177 MbpsVery fast

Ookla Speedtest Global Index, median download speed, ranked among the countries Ookla lists.

Visas and moving

Digital nomad visaMedium

Minimum income
No minimum
Duration
6 months
Renewable
Yes
Application fee
UI 55.71about $9
  • Tax treatmentForeign income exempt
  • Processing timeAbout 30 days
  • DependantsAllowed
  • Apply onlineIn person or at a consulate
  • Path to residencyYes
  • NationalitiesOpen to all
Official page
A serene view of Montevideo's skyline reflecting on the waterfront under a clear blue sky.
How it changed

Uruguay's Human Development Index

0.862Very high human development

48th of 193 in UNDP's 2023 ranking, 3rd of 12 in South America.

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. UNDP Human Development Report 2025.

Nearest countries by HDI

  1. #47Argentina0.865
  2. #48Montenegro0.862
  3. #48Uruguay0.862
  4. #50Oman0.858
  5. #51Turkey0.853
Full HDI ranking, all 193 countries

HDI since 1990

Year by year

Human development rose from 0.713 in 1990 to 0.862 in 2023.

0.650.780.900.86219902000201020231990: 0.7131991: 0.7171992: 0.7191993: 0.7221994: 0.7271995: 0.7291996: 0.7361997: 0.7471998: 0.7571999: 0.7602000: 0.7642001: 0.7712002: 0.7752003: 0.7802004: 0.7792005: 0.7782006: 0.7772007: 0.7802008: 0.7832009: 0.7872010: 0.7962011: 0.8012012: 0.8042013: 0.8122014: 0.8162015: 0.8182016: 0.8212017: 0.8272018: 0.8262019: 0.8302020: 0.8372021: 0.8372022: 0.8522023: 0.8620.650.780.9019902000201020231990: 0.7131991: 0.7171992: 0.7191993: 0.7221994: 0.7271995: 0.7291996: 0.7361997: 0.7471998: 0.7571999: 0.7602000: 0.7642001: 0.7712002: 0.7752003: 0.7802004: 0.7792005: 0.7782006: 0.7772007: 0.7802008: 0.7832009: 0.7872010: 0.7962011: 0.8012012: 0.8042013: 0.8122014: 0.8162015: 0.8182016: 0.8212017: 0.8272018: 0.8262019: 0.8302020: 0.8372021: 0.8372022: 0.8522023: 0.862

UNDP Human Development Report, 2025 edition. 34 annual values, none interpolated.

Twenty years here

Year by yearThe world report
Life expectancy at birth
78.3 years2024at birthUp 2.5 years from 75.8 years in 2005
Internet users
92%2024of people onlineUp 63 points from 29% in 2006
Urban population
96%2025of people in towns and citiesUp 3 points from 92% in 2006
Births per woman
1.402024births per womanDown 0.70 from 2.10 in 2005
Renewable share of energy
58%2021of energy usedUp 19 points from 39% in 2004
Access to electricity
100%2024of people with electricityUp 2 points from 98% in 2005
Infant mortality
62024deaths before age one, per 1,000 birthsDown 6 from 12 in 2005
CO2 emissions per person
2.6 t2024of CO2 per person a yearUp 0.9 t from 1.7 t in 2005
Forest area
12%2023of land under forestUp 3 points from 9% in 2004

World Bank, from the first to the last observed year of each indicator; each has its own window.

Our take

The Switzerland of South America: progressive laws, strong institutions, small and safe. The case for living here is very high human development and wide access to essential health services.

About 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.

Practical facts

  • CapitalMontevideo
  • LanguagesSpanish
  • CurrencyUruguayan peso (UYU)
  • Area175,020 km²
  • Plug typeType C/F/L
  • Drives on theright
Weigh Uruguay against your priorities
Every figure

Everything we hold on Uruguay

Compare Uruguay

Borders

ArgentinaBrazil

Side by side

vs Chilevs ArgentinaCompare any two countries

Quick answers

What is Uruguay's Human Development Index?

Uruguay's Human Development Index is 0.862 for 2023 (UNDP Human Development Report 2025), ranked #48 of 193 by UNDP.

Is Uruguay safe?

Uruguay scores 1.75 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #43 of 161 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.