Photo: Elemaki · CC BY 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 07 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Uruguay: Environment & Sustainability
How much pressure does a country put on the natural world?
Uruguay is placed 40th of 186 countries on environment & sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: CO₂ Emissions per Capita 2.354 (2024); Water Stress 11.63 (2023).
Share
Environment & Sustainability
40th
of 186 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Uruguay on environment & sustainability — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
2.354
Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)
Lower is better
Uruguay: 2.354. Across the 210 countries in this edition, values run from 0.054 (DR Congo) to 41.27 (Qatar); the world median is 3.21.
- World median
- 3.21
- Best in South America
- 1.145 Paraguay
- Land neighbours
- Argentina 3.743 · Brazil 2.278
Key 2 of 4
Water Stress
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 4.0
11.63
Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)
Lower is better
Uruguay: 11.63. Across the 177 countries in this edition, values run from 0.03 (Republic of the Congo) to 3,851 (Kuwait); the world median is 10.
- World median
- 10
- Best in South America
- 0.2 Bolivia
- Land neighbours
- Argentina 10.46 · Brazil 1.43
Key 3 of 4
Organic Agricultural Area
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
21.26
Organic share of agricultural land (%)
Higher is better
Uruguay: 21.26. Across the 156 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Afghanistan) to 86.38 (Samoa); the world median is 0.725.
- World median
- 0.725
- Best in South America
- 21.26 Uruguay
- Land neighbours
- Argentina 4.63 · Brazil 0.43
No reading
Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)
Lower is better
Global Footprint Network publishes no 2025 figure for Uruguay, so the standing rests on the other keys.
Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 0.514 (Yemen) to 11.73 (Qatar); the world median is 2.296.
- World median
- 2.296
- Best in South America
- 1.847 Colombia
- Land neighbours
- Argentina 2.669 · Brazil 2.443
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.
CO₂ Emissions per Capita
Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person) · lower is better
UruguayWorld median
Uruguay rose from 1.616 in 2000 to 2.354 in 2024; the world median went from 2.662 to 3.21.
Every year’s figures
Year Uruguay World median 2024 2.35 3.210 2023 2.25 3.145 2022 2.21 3.162 2021 2.30 3.087 2020 1.91 2.903 2019 1.89 3.273 2018 1.94 3.036 2017 1.82 3.049 2016 1.93 2.894 2015 2.00 2.846 2014 1.99 2.919 2013 2.24 2.779 2012 2.58 2.770 2011 2.31 2.748 2010 1.90 2.812 2009 2.41 2.799 2008 2.49 2.979 2007 1.81 2.593 2006 2.01 2.865 2005 1.75 2.885 2004 1.70 2.802 2003 1.38 2.918 2002 1.39 2.785 2001 1.54 2.726 2000 1.62 2.662 Water Stress
Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%) · lower is better
UruguayWorld median
Uruguay rose from 9.79 in 2000 to 11.63 in 2023; the world median went from 10.07 to 10.
Every year’s figures
Year Uruguay World median 2023 11.63 10.000 2022 12.05 10.190 2021 11.82 10.460 2020 11.63 10.460 2019 11.54 10.890 2018 11.45 10.460 2017 11.36 10.460 2016 11.26 10.460 2015 11.17 10.190 2014 11.08 10.460 2013 10.99 10.460 2012 10.89 10.460 2011 10.80 10.460 2010 10.71 10.710 2009 10.62 10.960 2008 10.52 10.815 2007 10.43 11.180 2006 10.34 10.430 2005 10.25 10.250 2004 10.16 10.715 2003 10.06 10.370 2002 9.97 10.180 2001 9.88 10.130 2000 9.79 10.070 Organic Agricultural Area
Organic share of agricultural land (%) · higher is better
UruguayWorld median
Uruguay rose from 5.15 in 2005 to 21.26 in 2024; the world median went from 0.345 to 0.725.
Every year’s figures
Year Uruguay World median 2024 21.26 0.725 2023 23.30 0.780 2022 17.87 0.740 2021 17.76 0.710 2020 17.78 0.665 2019 14.00 0.550 2018 14.13 0.490 2017 12.45 0.630 2016 11.08 0.545 2015 8.69 0.540 2014 8.75 0.470 2013 6.33 0.440 2012 6.44 0.480 2011 6.41 0.460 2010 6.45 0.330 2009 6.28 0.335 2008 6.34 0.290 2007 6.40 0.370 2006 6.34 0.305 2005 5.15 0.345
03In context
Uruguay beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 186 countries on environment & sustainability, never a place within the region.
Uruguay and the countries it borders
Standing among all 186; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | CO₂ Emissions per CapitaFossil CO₂ (tonnes per person) | Water StressFreshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%) | Organic Agricultural AreaOrganic share of agricultural land (%) | Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint (global hectares per person) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uruguay | 40th | 2.354 | 11.63 | 21.26 | — |
 Brazil | 67th | 2.278 | 1.43 | 0.43 | 2.443 |
 Argentina | =91st | 3.743 | 10.46 | 4.63 | 2.669 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across South America
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 186.
Placed either side on environment & sustainability
The countries immediately above and below Uruguay in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Uruguay is ahead of the world, and behind
47 more statistics filed under environment & sustainability, 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 median14
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.
Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3298.8837.32▲ Improved since 2014
Uruguay: 98.88 · world median 37.32 · Low-carbon sources (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 8th of 162 · derived.
Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 32.0698.8832.06▲ Improved since 2014
Uruguay: 98.88 · world median 32.06 · Renewables (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 8th of 162 · derived.
Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.27942.785.279▲ Improved since 2014
Uruguay: 42.78 · world median 5.279 · Wind and solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 69.12; higher is better.
Annual Forest Area Change RateFAO · 2025 · world median 01.180▼ Worsened since 2015
Uruguay: 1.18 · world median 0 · Compound annual change in forest area over the interval ending that year (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.29 to 12.3; higher is better.
Carbon Intensity of ElectricityEmber · 2024 · world median 433.7568.81433.75No real change since 2014
Uruguay: 68.81 · world median 433.75 · Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 23.73 to 1,306; lower is better.
Position 150th of 165 · derived, 1st = worst.
Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per CapitaFAO · 2022 · world median 2,52827,1902,528No real change since 2012
Uruguay: 27,190 · world median 2,528 · Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 445,023; higher is better.
Position 23rd of 181 · derived.
Children's Climate Risk IndexUNICEF · 2020 · world median 535No earlier reading
Uruguay: 3 · world median 5 · Children's Climate Risk Index (0–10, higher is more risk). UNICEF, 2021 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 8.7; lower is better.
Ranked 135th of 163 by UNICEF (1st = worst).
World Energy Trilemma IndexWorld Energy Council · 2023 · world median 63.875.963.8No earlier reading
Uruguay: 75.9 · world median 63.8 · Trilemma score (0–100). World Energy Council, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 27.7 to 83.2; higher is better.
Ranked 21st of 99 by World Energy Council.
ND-GAIN Country IndexNotre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 47.4454.6747.44▼ Worsened since 2014
Uruguay: 54.67 · world median 47.44 · ND-GAIN Index (0–100, where 100 is best placed to adapt). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 26.42 to 71.85; higher is better.
Ranked 52nd of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
Adjusted Net SavingsWorld Bank Group · 2021 · world median 8.38913.918.389▼ Worsened since 2011
Uruguay: 13.91 · world median 8.389 · Adjusted net savings, including particulate emission damage (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from -81.62 to 32.18; higher is better.
Position 35th of 118 · derived.
Climate Vulnerability (ND-GAIN)Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 0.450.3940.45No real change since 2014
Uruguay: 0.394 · world median 0.45 · ND-GAIN Vulnerability (0–1, where 1 is the most vulnerable). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.263 to 0.655; lower is better.
Ranked 56th of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7382.1652.738▼ Worsened since 2014
Uruguay: 2.165 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.
PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.4513.414.45▼ Worsened since 2013
Uruguay: 13.4 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.
Position 118th of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median7
Statistics on which Uruguay does worse than the middle country measured.
Municipal Solid Waste GenerationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 0.9661.0080.966No earlier reading
Uruguay: 1.008 · world median 0.966 · Municipal solid waste generated (kg per person per day). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.058 to 4.176; lower is better.
Position 96th of 201 · derived, 1st = worst.
Baseline Water Stress (Aqueduct)WRI · 2019 · world median 1.6631.8331.663No earlier reading
Uruguay: 1.833 · world median 1.663 · Baseline water stress score (0–5). World Resources Institute (WRI), 2023 edition, data for 2019.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 5; lower is better.
World Risk IndexInstitute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · 2025 · world median 4.175.214.17No real change since 2015
Uruguay: 5.21 · world median 4.17 · WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk). Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.18 to 46.56; lower is better.
Position 82nd of 193 · derived, 1st = worst.
Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.111.7916.1▼ Worsened since 2013
Uruguay: 11.79 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.
Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy)FAO · 2024 · world median 3.142.713.14▼ Worsened since 2015
Uruguay: 2.71 · world median 3.14 · Current status score, from 1 (worst) to 5 (best), averaged over up to seven sub-indicators. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.67 to 4.57; higher is better.
Position 134th of 186 · derived.
Agricultural Emissions IntensityFAO · 2023 · world median 1.5654.771.565▼ Worsened since 2013
Uruguay: 4.77 · world median 1.565 · Greenhouse gases from farming per value of agricultural output (kg CO₂eq per international dollar). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 28.2; lower is better.
Position 21st of 190 · derived, 1st = worst.
Forest Area within Legally Established Protected AreasFAO · 2025 · world median 18.183.0418.18No real change since 2015
Uruguay: 3.04 · world median 18.18 · Forest within legally established protected areas, as a share of the country's 2015 forest area (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Uruguay: 0 · world median 0 · Coal (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 98.25; lower is better.
No better end25
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Agricultural LandFAO · 2023 · world median 37.9681.3537.96No real change since 2013
Uruguay: 81.35 · world median 37.96 · Agricultural land (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.445 to 86.48.
Position 4th of 209 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Arable Land per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 0.1090.6490.109No real change since 2013
Uruguay: 0.649 · world median 0.109 · Arable land (hectares per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1.459.
Position 12th of 206 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Cropland Nitrogen BalanceFAO · 2023 · world median 37.63111.2337.63Moved since 2013
Uruguay: 111.23 · world median 37.63 · Nitrogen surplus (+) or deficit (−) on cropland, kg per hectare. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from -555.52 to 1,199.
Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.737.451.73Moved since 2014
Uruguay: 7.45 · world median 1.73 · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.72.
Position 38th of 178 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 1001,526100No earlier reading
Uruguay: 1,526 · world median 100 · Wind farm capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 542,758.
Fertilizer Consumption per HectareFAO · 2023 · world median 87.36174.3887.36Moved since 2013
Uruguay: 174.38 · world median 87.36 · Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 2,926.
Position 48th of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Agricultural EmissionsFAO · 2023 · world median 8,63529,3248,635No real change since 2013
Uruguay: 29,324 · world median 8,635 · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,044,508.
Position 52nd of 193 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Methane EmissionsEDGAR · 2025 · world median 325.69990.27325.69No real change since 2015
Uruguay: 990.27 · world median 325.69 · Methane emissions (gigagrams of CH₄). European Commission, Joint Research Centre (EDGAR), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.048 to 51,093.
Water Withdrawal by SectorFAO · 2022 · world median 62.1477.1962.14Moved since 2012
Uruguay: 77.19 · world median 62.14 · Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.48.
Position 55th of 171 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Environmentally Related Tax RevenueOECD · 2024 · world median 1.0751.4961.075Moved since 2014
Uruguay: 1.496 · world median 1.075 · Environmentally related tax revenue (% of GDP). OECD, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 3.346.
Meat Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 57.8369.357.83Moved since 2013
Uruguay: 69.3 · world median 57.83 · Meat available as food (kg per person per year, carcass weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.49 to 156.95.
Livestock DensityFAO · 2023 · world median 0.5350.680.535No real change since 2013
Uruguay: 0.68 · world median 0.535 · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 43.97.
Position 72nd of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1440.330.144Moved since 2014
Uruguay: 0.33 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.
Tree Cover LossWorld Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland) · 2025 · world median 3,7759,3993,775Moved since 2015
Uruguay: 9,399 · world median 3,775 · Tree cover loss (hectares, where canopy cover exceeded 30% in 2000). World Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 6,225,187.
Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.0494.1883.049Moved since 2014
Uruguay: 4.188 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.
Burned AreaGWIS · 2025 · world median 13,82424,29913,824No real change since 2015
Uruguay: 24,299 · world median 13,824 · Burned area (hectares). European Commission Joint Research Centre — Global Wildfire Information System (GWIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50,562,035.
Land Under Cereal ProductionFAO · 2023 · world median 689,278857,133689,278No real change since 2013
Uruguay: 857,133 · world median 689,278 · Land under cereal production (hectares). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 103,715,108.
Position 84th of 179 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.7081.9281.708Moved since 2011
Uruguay: 1.928 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.
Position 93rd of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Fisheries and Aquaculture ProductionFAO · 2024 · world median 52,37548,41052,375Moved since 2014
Uruguay: 48,410 · world median 52,375 · Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic animals caught or farmed, tonnes (live weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 70,500,841.
Population Living Below 5 m ElevationCenter for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University · 2015 · world median 2.9542.2032.954Moved since 1990
Uruguay: 2.203 · world median 2.954 · Population living below 5 m elevation (% of total population). Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University, 2015 edition, data for 2015.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 78.48.
Agricultural Irrigated LandFAO · 2023 · world median 3.661.5713.66No earlier reading
Uruguay: 1.571 · world median 3.66 · Irrigated share of agricultural land (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 89.04.
Position 78th of 121 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Forest AreaFAO · 2023 · world median 31.0811.9631.08Moved since 2013
Uruguay: 11.96 · world median 31.08 · Forest area (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 94.45.
Position 152nd of 210 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Consumption-Based CO₂ EmissionsGlobal Carbon Project · 2023 · world median 12.792.94312.79Moved since 2013
Uruguay: 2.943 · world median 12.79 · Consumption-based fossil CO₂ (million tonnes of carbon). Global Carbon Project, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.882 to 2,963.
Temperature Change on LandFAO · 2025 · world median 1.4740.6221.474Moved since 2015
Uruguay: 0.622 · world median 1.474 · Change in mean land-surface temperature against the country's own 1951–1980 average, °C. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.34 to 3.294.
Tropical Moist Forest DeforestationJRC · 2025 · world median 0.00100.001No real change since 2015
Uruguay: 0 · world median 0.001 · Tropical moist forest deforested in the year (million hectares). European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 0.708.
No current reading for Uruguay
Ecological Footprint, Mangrove Area and Operating Coal Power Capacity. 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
Environment & Sustainability among Uruguay’s 16 topics
Environment & Sustainability is Uruguay’s 6th 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 environment & sustainability
The three countries placed highest of 186, and the leaders Uruguay can most readily be measured against.
1
AngolaMiddle Africa
1st of 186 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk · CC0, greyscale
- 2
São Tomé and PríncipeMiddle Africa
2nd of 186 · 3 of 4 keys
3
Sierra LeoneWestern Africa
3rd of 186 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Americas
Nicaragua=15th2/4 keysHighest in South America
Ecuador31st3/4 keysThis page
Uruguay40th3/4 keys
Positions out of 186 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.
07Questions
Uruguay on environment & sustainability: 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 environment & sustainability?
Uruguay is placed 40th of 186 countries on Environment & Sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics (CO₂ Emissions per Capita, Water Stress and Organic Agricultural Area). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest CO₂ Emissions per Capita figure for Uruguay?
2.354 in 2024 (fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)), according to Global Carbon Project. The world median in the same edition was 3.21.
What is the latest Water Stress figure for Uruguay?
11.63 in 2023 (freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)), according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The world median in the same edition was 10.
How does Uruguay compare with Brazil on environment & sustainability?
Brazil is placed 67th of 186, and Uruguay 40th. CO₂ Emissions per Capita: Brazil 2.278, Uruguay 2.354; Water Stress: Brazil 1.43, Uruguay 11.63; Organic Agricultural Area: Brazil 0.43, Uruguay 21.26.
How have Uruguay’s environment & sustainability figures changed?
CO₂ Emissions per Capita rose from 1.616 in 2000 to 2.354 in 2024; Water Stress rose from 9.79 in 2000 to 11.63 in 2023; Organic Agricultural Area rose from 5.15 in 2005 to 21.26 in 2024.
Which environment & sustainability statistics are missing for Uruguay?
No current reading is published for Uruguay on Ecological Footprint, Mangrove Area and Operating Coal Power Capacity. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Air quality and biodiversity are not keys, because the site does not yet hold data for them that passes every test. Forest cover, farmland, farm emissions and the renewable share of electricity are published here as context. Exposure to natural hazards belongs to Risk & Resilience.
How the Environment & Sustainability standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 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 4 keys to be placed.
The environment & sustainability method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- CO₂ Emissions per Capita — Global Carbon Project, CC BY 4.0
- Water Stress — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Organic Agricultural Area — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Ecological Footprint — Global Footprint Network, CC BY-SA 4.0
The other 47 statistics on this page come from 19 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
- Angola — Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk, CC0
- Sierra Leone — Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Uruguay: Environment & Sustainability — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/uruguay/environment