Photo: Elemaki · CC BY 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 06 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Uruguay: Development & Human Capital
Is a country turning its resources into better lives?
Uruguay is placed 45th of 196 countries on development & human capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Social Protection Coverage 95 (2025); Maternal Mortality Ratio 15.31 (2023).
Share
Development & Human Capital
45th
of 196 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Uruguay on development & human capital — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 2 of 3
Maternal Mortality Ratio
UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
15.31
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
Lower is better
Uruguay: 15.31. Across the 195 countries in this edition, values run from 0.11 (Cook Islands) to 992.83 (Nigeria); the world median is 46.65.
- World median
- 46.65
- Best in South America
- 9.88 Chile
- Land neighbours
- Argentina 33.23 · Brazil 66.91
Key 3 of 3
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
0.862
HDI score (0–1)
Higher is better
Ranked 48th of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office
Uruguay: 0.862. Across the 193 countries in this edition, values run from 0.388 (South Sudan) to 0.972 (Iceland); the world median is 0.762.
- World median
- 0.762
- Best in South America
- 0.878 Chile
- Land neighbours
- Argentina 0.865 · Brazil 0.786
02Over time
Which way Uruguay is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Maternal Mortality Ratio
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births · lower is better
UruguayWorld median
Uruguay fell from 23.47 in 2000 to 15.31 in 2023; the world median went from 70.99 to 46.65.
Every year’s figures
Year Uruguay World median 2023 15.3 46.7 2022 19.8 53.0 2021 49.5 76.6 2020 19.6 56.0 2019 15.9 48.4 2018 16.0 49.3 2017 16.4 47.2 2016 16.1 50.6 2015 16.0 51.9 2014 16.3 52.8 2013 16.2 53.3 2012 16.5 54.6 2011 16.6 55.0 2010 17.2 56.1 2009 17.6 56.3 2008 18.6 55.8 2007 18.9 56.8 2006 19.7 58.1 2005 20.3 60.1 2004 21.4 63.0 2003 22.6 66.8 2002 23.3 66.0 2001 24.0 68.1 2000 23.5 71.0 Human Development Index
HDI score (0–1) · higher is better
UruguayWorld median
Uruguay rose from 0.764 in 2000 to 0.862 in 2023; the world median went from 0.672 to 0.762.
Every year’s figures
Year Uruguay World median 2023 0.862 0.7620 2022 0.852 0.7610 2021 0.837 0.7450 2020 0.837 0.7425 2019 0.830 0.7515 2018 0.826 0.7520 2017 0.827 0.7480 2016 0.821 0.7500 2015 0.818 0.7430 2014 0.816 0.7410 2013 0.812 0.7390 2012 0.804 0.7350 2011 0.801 0.7250 2010 0.796 0.7250 2009 0.787 0.7220 2008 0.783 0.7180 2007 0.780 0.7100 2006 0.777 0.7045 2005 0.778 0.6960 2004 0.779 0.6960 2003 0.780 0.6910 2002 0.775 0.6845 2001 0.771 0.6770 2000 0.764 0.6720
03In context
Uruguay beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 196 countries on development & human capital, never a place within the region.
Uruguay and the countries it borders
Standing among all 196; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Social Protection CoveragePopulation covered by at least one social protection benefit (%) | Maternal Mortality RatioMaternal deaths per 100,000 live births | Human Development IndexHDI score (0–1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uruguay | 45th | 95 | 15.31 | 0.862 |
 Argentina | 61st | 65.9 | 33.23 | 0.865 |
 Brazil | 87th | 71.2 | 66.91 | 0.786 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across South America
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 196.
Placed either side on development & human capital
The countries immediately above and below Uruguay in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Uruguay is ahead of the world, and behind
48 more statistics filed under development & human capital, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median44
Statistics on which Uruguay does better than the middle country measured.
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.8040.678▲ Improved since 2013
Uruguay: 0.804 · world median 0.678 · PHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.276 to 0.827; higher is better.
Position 4th of 156 · derived.
Multidimensional Poverty MeasureWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 4.2520.1754.252No earlier reading
Uruguay: 0.175 · world median 4.252 · Multidimensional poverty headcount ratio (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 87.96; lower is better.
Position 147th of 157 · derived, 1st = worst.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3417.4813.34▲ Improved since 2013
Uruguay: 17.48 · world median 13.34 · Expected years of schooling. UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.635 to 21.69; higher is better.
Position 21st of 195 · derived.
Immunisation Coverage, Measles First Dose (MCV1)WUENIC · 2025 · world median 909890▲ Improved since 2015
Uruguay: 98 · world median 90 · Infants given a first dose of measles vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13 to 99; higher is better.
Disability Benefit CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 43.910043.9No earlier reading
Uruguay: 100 · world median 43.9 · People with severe disabilities receiving disability benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Old-Age Pension CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 80.810080.8No earlier reading
Uruguay: 100 · world median 80.8 · People above statutory pensionable age receiving an old-age pension (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Wasting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 3.5461.4083.546No earlier reading
Uruguay: 1.408 · world median 3.546 · Children under 5 who are wasted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.1 to 22.74; lower is better.
Position 137th of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Poverty Headcount at $3.00 a Day, Line-up EstimatesWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 2.10.162.1No real change since 2014
Uruguay: 0.16 · world median 2.1 · Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP, World Bank line-up estimate (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 89.54; lower is better.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 0.930.170.93▲ Improved since 2013
Uruguay: 0.17 · world median 0.93 · Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 54.36; lower is better.
Position 49th of 58 · derived, 1st = worst.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 031.40No earlier reading
Uruguay: 31.4 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Poverty Gap at $3.00 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 0.3450.060.345▲ Improved since 2013
Uruguay: 0.06 · world median 0.345 · Poverty gap at $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 19.95; lower is better.
Position 48th of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Adequacy of Social Protection and Labour BenefitsWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 18.6535.2318.65No earlier reading
Uruguay: 35.23 · world median 18.65 · Benefits received as a share of beneficiaries' total income or consumption (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.455 to 90.86; higher is better.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,230119,02425,230No real change since 2010
Uruguay: 119,024 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 32nd of 151 · derived.
Comprehensive Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 46,486174,09346,486No real change since 2010
Uruguay: 174,093 · world median 46,486 · National comprehensive wealth per person (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 4,276 to 1,246,092; higher is better.
Position 32nd of 150 · derived.
Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 0.1850.040.185No real change since 2013
Uruguay: 0.04 · world median 0.185 · Squared poverty gap at $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (0–100). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 9.74; lower is better.
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 13.86.9313.8No earlier reading
Uruguay: 6.93 · world median 13.8 · Children under 5 who are stunted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.518 to 52.8; lower is better.
Position 123rd of 162 · derived, 1st = worst.
GNI per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 14,27329,79514,273▲ Improved since 2015
Uruguay: 29,795 · world median 14,273 · GNI per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,181 to 116,633; higher is better.
Position 26th of 102 · derived.
Immunisation Coverage, DTP3WUENIC · 2025 · world median 919691▲ Improved since 2015
Uruguay: 96 · world median 91 · Infants given a third dose of DTP vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 39 to 99; higher is better.
Mortality Rate, Ages 5–14UN IGME · 2024 · world median 2.8581.4922.858No real change since 2014
Uruguay: 1.492 · world median 2.858 · Deaths between ages 5 and 14 (per 1,000 children aged 5). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.392 to 59.04; lower is better.
Position 148th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Stillbirth RateUN IGME · 2023 · world median 8.1634.2118.163No real change since 2013
Uruguay: 4.211 · world median 8.163 · Stillbirths (per 1,000 total births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.18 to 34.9; lower is better.
Position 148th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Cereal YieldFAO · 2023 · world median 3,0724,5943,072▲ Improved since 2013
Uruguay: 4,594 · world median 3,072 · Cereal yield (kg per hectare). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 23 to 29,147; higher is better.
Position 49th of 179 · derived.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6755.5446.67No real change since 2012
Uruguay: 55.54 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 54th of 195 · derived.
Child and Family Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 23.7565.623.75No earlier reading
Uruguay: 65.6 · world median 23.75 · Children or households with children receiving child or family cash benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Neonatal Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 8.1344.0498.134No real change since 2014
Uruguay: 4.049 · world median 8.134 · Deaths in the first 28 days (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.544 to 39.47; lower is better.
Position 143rd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Life Expectancy at BirthUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 74.6378.1474.63No real change since 2013
Uruguay: 78.14 · world median 74.63 · Years a newborn would live at current death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 54.46 to 86.37; higher is better.
Position 65th of 222 · derived.
Infant Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 12.266.16612.26No real change since 2014
Uruguay: 6.166 · world median 12.26 · Deaths before age one (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.214 to 71.87; lower is better.
Position 142nd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Under-Five Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 14.547.44714.54No real change since 2014
Uruguay: 7.447 · world median 14.54 · Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.26 to 115.65; lower is better.
Position 142nd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 40.7451.3440.74No earlier reading
Uruguay: 51.34 · world median 40.74 · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.497 to 83.3; higher is better.
Position 41st of 136 · derived.
GDP per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 17,26532,74217,265No real change since 2015
Uruguay: 32,742 · world median 17,265 · GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,067 to 139,593; higher is better.
Position 57th of 185 · derived.
Inequality-adjusted Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6090.7470.609No real change since 2013
Uruguay: 0.747 · world median 0.609 · IHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.226 to 0.923; higher is better.
Position 53rd of 169 · derived.
Gender Inequality IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.3510.2180.351▲ Improved since 2013
Uruguay: 0.218 · world median 0.351 · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 0.838; lower is better.
Ranked 56th of 172 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Gender Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.9711.0170.971▼ Worsened since 2013
Uruguay: 1.017 · world median 0.971 · Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.407 to 1.038; higher is better.
Position 60th of 184 · derived.
Low Birthweight PrevalenceUNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates) · 2020 · world median 10.217.80310.21No real change since 2010
Uruguay: 7.803 · world median 10.21 · Live births weighing under 2,500 g (%). UNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 3.993 to 27.44; lower is better.
Position 107th of 158 · derived, 1st = worst.
Completeness of Birth RegistrationUNICEF · 2025 · world median 98.499.898.4No earlier reading
Uruguay: 99.8 · world median 98.4 · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.7 to 100; higher is better.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 1.340.751.34▼ Worsened since 2013
Uruguay: 0.75 · world median 1.34 · Population below $4.20 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 72.3; lower is better.
Position 40th of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Statistical Performance IndicatorsWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 69.380.1569.3▲ Improved since 2016
Uruguay: 80.15 · world median 69.3 · SPI overall score (0–100). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 27.12 to 94.14; higher is better.
Position 65th of 188 · derived.
Coefficient of Human InequalityUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 17.0512.8617.05No real change since 2013
Uruguay: 12.86 · world median 17.05 · Coefficient of Human Inequality (%). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 4.865 to 43.08; lower is better.
Position 109th of 169 · derived, 1st = worst.
Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison)GGDC · 2022 · world median 12,89020,18212,890No real change since 2012
Uruguay: 20,182 · world median 12,890 · GDP per capita (2011 international $). Maddison Project, Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 596.39 to 149,171; higher is better.
Position 60th of 166 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.966.845.9No earlier reading
Uruguay: 66.8 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Human Capital IndexWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 0.5640.5990.564▲ Improved since 2010
Uruguay: 0.599 · world median 0.564 · HCI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.292 to 0.879; higher is better.
Position 70th of 172 · derived.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.93310.549.933▲ Improved since 2013
Uruguay: 10.54 · world median 9.933 · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.412 to 14.3; higher is better.
Position 82nd of 193 · derived.
Prosperity GapWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 1.7541.4621.754▼ Worsened since 2013
Uruguay: 1.462 · world median 1.754 · Average factor incomes must rise by to reach $28 a day. World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.406 to 12.06; lower is better.
Position 33rd of 60 · derived, 1st = worst.
Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 72.8373.7572.83▲ Improved since 2014
Uruguay: 73.75 · world median 72.83 · Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 14.83 to 99.85; higher is better.
Position 68th of 139 · derived.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 7.826.597.82▼ Worsened since 2013
Uruguay: 6.59 · world median 7.82 · Population below $8.30 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 93.58; lower is better.
Position 31st of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median2
Statistics on which Uruguay does worse than the middle country measured.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10099.3100▼ Worsened since 2014
Uruguay: 99.3 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
Child MarriageUNICEF · 2025 · world median 17.124.617.1No earlier reading
Uruguay: 24.6 · world median 17.1 · Women 20–24 married before 18 (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 76.3; lower is better.
Position 52nd of 143 · derived, 1st = worst.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▲ Improved since 2014
Uruguay: 100 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
No better end1
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 11.269.95711.26Moved since 2015
Uruguay: 9.957 · world median 11.26 · Manufacturing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.481 to 43.97.
Position 78th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Uruguay
Children with Functional Difficulties, Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, Foundational ID Ownership (last 2021), Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum), Net Official Development Assistance Received (last 2017), Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI) and Violent Discipline of Children. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Development & Human Capital among Uruguay’s 16 topics
Development & Human Capital is Uruguay’s 8th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Energy10th of 1653/3 keys
- Peace & Security14th of 1774/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties23rd of 1984/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions31st of 1944/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade37th of 1773/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability40th of 1863/4 keys
- Digital & Technology43rd of 1984/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital45th of 1963/3 keys
- Health & Wellbeing54th of 2004/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge55th of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation51st of 1764/4 keys
- Gender & Equality59th of 1834/4 keys
- Work & Labour62nd of 1824/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience81st of 1934/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality78th of 1593/3 keys
- Food & Agriculture105th of 1844/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on development & human capital
The three countries placed highest of 196, and the leaders Uruguay can most readily be measured against.
1
Cook IslandsPolynesia
1st of 196 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Benedict Adam · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
2
NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
DenmarkNorthern Europe
3rd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: User:Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Americas
Canada=27th3/3 keysHighest in South America
Uruguay45th3/3 keys
Positions out of 196 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Uruguay and development & human capital
On development & human capital
Global Hunger Index 2025: Countries with the Most Alarming Hunger Crisis
Thirteen countries scored across four editions — 2000, 2008, 2016 and 2025 — and five the report could not score at all. DR Congo and South Sudan share 121st place on 37.5.
On development & human capital
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
08Questions
Uruguay on development & human capital: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Uruguay rank on development & human capital?
Uruguay is placed 45th of 196 countries on Development & Human Capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Social Protection Coverage, Maternal Mortality Ratio and Human Development Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Social Protection Coverage figure for Uruguay?
95 in 2025 (population covered by at least one social protection benefit (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 52.1.
What is the latest Maternal Mortality Ratio figure for Uruguay?
15.31 in 2023 (maternal deaths per 100,000 live births), according to UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG). The world median in the same edition was 46.65.
How does Uruguay compare with Brazil on development & human capital?
Brazil is placed 87th of 196, and Uruguay 45th. Social Protection Coverage: Brazil 71.2, Uruguay 95; Maternal Mortality Ratio: Brazil 66.91, Uruguay 15.31; Human Development Index: Brazil 0.786, Uruguay 0.862.
How have Uruguay’s development & human capital figures changed?
Maternal Mortality Ratio fell from 23.47 in 2000 to 15.31 in 2023; Human Development Index rose from 0.764 in 2000 to 0.862 in 2023.
Which development & human capital statistics are missing for Uruguay?
No current reading is published for Uruguay on Children with Functional Difficulties, Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, Foundational ID Ownership, Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum), Net Official Development Assistance Received, Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI) and Violent Discipline of Children. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Poverty lines, inequality and aid received are published here as context rather than as keys, often because they cover fewer countries or are measured too rarely. Development is also not the same as economic size or growth, which belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Development & Human Capital standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The development & human capital method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Social Protection Coverage — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Maternal Mortality Ratio — UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Human Development Index — UNDP Human Development Report Office, CC BY 3.0 IGO
The other 48 statistics on this page come from 12 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Uruguay’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Uruguay (banner) — Elemaki, CC BY 3.0
- Cook Islands — Benedict Adam, CC BY 2.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Denmark — User:Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Uruguay: Development & Human Capital — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/uruguay/development