Education
Uruguay has a virtually universal literacy rate, comparable to that of most developed countries. Education is compulsory for students aged 6 to 11, and the education system is free from pre-school to university level. Private schools, however, are very expensive. All children entering the school system receive a computer as soon as they start reading, and have free access to the Internet in all public places in the country. Renowned university centers include the University of the Republic of Montevideo, founded in 1849, and the Catholic University of Uruguay, founded in 1985. Both have numerous faculties, including distinguished medical and engineering schools that today attract students from all over the country. Their student-teacher ratio is one of the lowest on the planet, with only 14 students per teacher, in contrast to France, where the proportion reaches 19 students per teacher. Nevertheless, school drop-out rates remain high, particularly at secondary level. Financial barriers, lack of access to schools and mediocre school environments are just some of the factors believed to push students to leave school before graduating. Naturally, the school dropout phenomenon raises many problems, as it not only implies a drop in productivity, but also a breakdown in the population's civic and social commitment, an increase in violence and a decline in the performance of the healthcare system. The country obviously still has a lot of work to do in terms of education, although it remains at the top of Latin America's best education system rankings.
Legalization of cannabis
With the aim of combating drug trafficking, Uruguay approved a drastic measure in December 2013 by legalizing the production, sale and consumption of cannabis for recreational purposes. Certain conditions were adopted by law, however, such as the fact that marijuana consumers must be at least 18 years old, residents of Uruguay and registered users. Under current regulations, there are three ways to legally acquire cannabis: individual cultivation, clubs and pharmacies. Consumers are authorized to buy up to ten grams of cannabis per week. The law also provides for production quotas, authorizing each Uruguayan to grow up to 6 cannabis plants for personal consumption, and for the formation of smokers' associations of between 15 and 45 people, who may collectively grow a maximum of 99 plants. Uruguayan President Jose Mujica's initiative is the first of its kind in the world, since the law signed places the entire production chain under state authority. Uruguay's cannabis sector comprises 84 companies (mostly SMEs), employing nearly 1,000 people. Uruguay is also the world's 8th largest exporter of hemp and medicinal cannabis, with 25 tonnes sent mainly to Europe. Finally, Latin America's very first medical cannabis education and wellness center has opened at La Tertulia, a 110-hectare estate located 15 km from Laguna Garzón. You can also visit the Cannabis Museum in Montevideo.
LGBTQI+ Community
A true pioneer in diversity and inclusion, Uruguay has established itself over the years as one of the world's most advanced countries in terms of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQI+) rights. Homosexuality was decriminalized as early as 1934, and in 2009 the country allowed same-sex couples to jointly adopt children. In the same year, a major step forward was taken with the law on civil status changes for transgender people - a first in South America. This text enshrines the right of every individual to the free development of their personality according to their gender identity, independently of their biological or morphological sex.
In 2013, Uruguay became the third country in South America to legalize same-sex marriage, and in 2018, it further strengthened its commitment with a law guaranteeing the rights of transgender people, enabling them in particular to access state-funded sex reassignment surgery if they so wish.
Thanks to this inclusive legislation and an open policy in favor of diversity, the country attracts almost 250,000 LGBTQI+ tourists every year. In 2025, Uruguay ranked as the 8ᵉ most gay-friendly country in the world and 1ᵉʳ in Latin America, according to the Spartacus International Gay Guide, which assesses the living conditions of the LGBTQI+ community across the globe.
In the same spirit, many local businesses can now obtain "gay-friendly" certification, a symbol of concrete commitment to inclusion and respect for diversity.
Every year, the March of Diversity celebrates LGBTQI+ cultures on the last Friday of September in Montevideo. Organized by the Coordinadora de la Marcha por la Diversidad, it brings together thousands of people in a festive, militant atmosphere. From 7pm, slogans such as "Discrimination is also violence: don't let indifference win you over" and "No diversity, no democracy" echoed along Avenida Libertador.
In the heart of the capital, on the Plaza de la Diversidad Sexual, a homomonument to tolerance and freedom was erected in 2005. It features a phrase emblematic of the country's progressive values: "To honor diversity is to honor life: Montevideo for the respect of all genders, identities and sexual orientations."
On the coast, a hotel reserved exclusively for gay men welcomes travelers to the nudist beach of Chihuahua, a few kilometers from Punta del Este. Meanwhile, Uruguay's gay scene continues to develop, with clubs, parties and drag shows all contributing to a resolutely inclusive nightlife.
Uruguay is an example of an open society, where equality and respect for differences are not just ideals, but a daily reality.
Health
Uruguay has a universal, public healthcare system, known as the Sistema Nacional Integrado de Salud (SNIS), which is accessible to all residents of the country, including foreigners. Funded by the government and managed by the Ministry of Public Health, it includes public hospitals, clinics and primary care centers. The SNIS offers a full range of health services, including prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, as well as coverage for certain drugs, although certain limitations apply. The density of doctors per capita is five per thousand, comparable to that of Western countries. In addition, Uruguayan citizens enjoy the freedom to choose their health care provider and family doctor. Government spending on healthcare represents around 10% of GDP in Uruguay, which is slightly higher than the OECD average of 9.7% (2021). There is also a strong tradition of social protection, stemming from legislation passed in 1912 and 1929. For example, after the creation of pension schemes for some military personnel and civil servants during the 19th century, coverage gradually expanded to reach near-universal coverage for pensions, disability, insurance and survivors' benefits by the mid-1950s. There are, however, some disparities in terms of access to healthcare, with the capital having better medical facilities than other parts of the country.
Poverty
In 2025, the World Bank reported that Uruguay's middle class had become the largest in Latin America, representing 68% of its population. According to an OECD report, in 2004, the proportion of people living below the poverty line was 39.9%. In other words, 4 out of 10 Uruguayans lived on less than US$1.90 a day. Today, the country can boast the lowest multidimensional poverty rate in Latin America (5.7% in 2022, according to CEPAL), second only to Chile. At the end of 2025, for the country as a whole, the activity rate stood at 64.2%, the employment rate at 59.8% and the unemployment rate at 6.9%.
Policy
The Eastern Republic of Uruguay is a secular, sovereign state characterized by a democratic, republican system, with a separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches. Since March 2025, the executive branch has consisted of the President, Yamandú Orsi, the Vice-President, Carolina Cosse, and the Council of Ministers, which assists them. Under the current electoral system, the President of the Republic is elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage and is limited to a single term, as are governors and mayors.
Uruguay's main political parties are as follows:
Colorado Party. Founded in 1836. Since the restoration of democracy in 1985, the Colorado Party has governed Uruguay three times: between 1985 and 1990 (Julio María Sanguinetti), between 1995 and 2000 (again Julio María Sanguinetti) and between 2000 and 2005 (Jorge Batlle). A right-wing, conservative, nationalist and protectionist party, it advocates American-style liberalism.
National Party. Founded in 1836 by Manuel Oribe. Since the restoration of democracy, the National Party has governed Uruguay between 1990 and 1995 (Luis Alberto Lacalle Herrera), then between 2020 and 2025 (Luis Alberto Lacalle Pou).
Frente Amplio. Coalition founded in 1971, made up of numerous parties and political groups ranging from the center-left to the far left. It has governed Uruguay four times: between 2005 and 2010 (Tabaré Vázquez Rosas), between 2010 and 2015 (José Mujica), between 2015 and 2020 (Tabaré Vázquez Rosas again) and since March 2025 for 5 years (Yamandú Orsi).
