2025 country profile

How democratic is
Uruguay?

Uruguay scores 85.9 out of 100 and ranks 7 of 179 in our independent 2025 democracy measure. Its lowest-scoring test is political equality. Explore the evidence and history below.

Democracys.org beta estimate, derived from V-Dem v16. A measure of political institutions and conditions—not a percentage of democracy or a judgment of people.

Printable country brief Compare this country

DEMOCRACYS SCORE

85.9out of 100Closer to the standard

2025 rank7 of 179

10-year change−3.1

25-year change−1.7

Source-bound range81.9–91.1

Weakest areaEquality

The source-bound range is an uncertainty guide, not a confidence interval for this combined score. How to read the range →

SCORE HISTORY

Uruguay, 1975–2025

The shaded area is a plain-language uncertainty guide. Treat small score differences cautiously.

About uncertainty

BEYOND THE NUMBERS

What changed on the ground?

A documented development to help interpret the institutions behind the score.

2025 context · Freedom House assessment

Pressure on journalists declined

Freedom House records a sustained reduction in lawsuits, threats, and harassment directed at journalists. This can strengthen scrutiny by lowering the costs of independent reporting. It is a practical civil-liberties improvement within a system of competitive elections, rather than a change in the formal method of selecting leaders.

Read the country report · Freedom in the World 2026

AI-assisted source summary · not independently expert-reviewed

What this context does—and does not—explain

This is a selected development, not a complete political history. Its date may differ from the selected comparison period. It is not evidence that one event caused a particular number of points, and it may describe progress even when this index declines.

The scores use V-Dem. The narrative summarizes a separate assessment by Freedom House, whose definitions and coverage differ. Neither organization endorses this website. The summary is AI-assisted, source-linked, and has not received independent country-expert review. Source checked October 5, 2026.

Why democracy measures can disagree →

UNDERSTAND THE CHANGE

What drove the score?

2015–2025 · the measured story

The score for Uruguay fell 3.1 points, from 89.0 to 85.9 between 2015 and 2025. 1 of the five areas improved while 4 worsened, so the headline combines competing movements. Political equality contributed the largest downward push in the score calculation. The latest year moved in the opposite direction (+2.0), so the longer trend is not the whole story.

Read the political context ↓

Largest influence on the calculation

Political equality

The evidence rates the distribution of political influence, rights, and access across social groups less favorably.

Area score: 88.1 → 77.3
Approx. contribution to overall change: −2.2 points

Another important influence

Elections

The evidence rates electoral choice, voting rights, political organization, and the space for open debate less favorably.

Area score: 89.7 → 86.2
Approx. contribution to overall change: −0.7 points

These contributions explain the calculation—not the causes. The five area scores combine several indicators; they do not identify which individual law, election, or event changed.

When did the biggest shifts appear?

The largest year-to-year movements within this period. These are changes in annual estimates, not precise dates of political events.

2019–2020−2.3 points
The overall score fell from 88.7 to 86.4. Public reasoning supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2021–2022−1.9 points
The overall score fell from 84.9 to 83.0. Political equality supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2024–2025+2.0 points
The overall score rose from 83.9 to 85.9. Public reasoning supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 89.0 in 2015. Small differences may fall within the source’s uncertainty.

See all five areas and how contributions are calculated

Changes in inputs versus contributions to the overall score
Area	2015	2025	Input change	Approx. contribution
Political equality	88.1	77.3	−10.8	−2.2
Elections	89.7	86.2	−3.5	−0.7
Rights and checks	93.2	92.6	−0.6	−0.1
Public reasoning	93.0	92.6	−0.4	−0.1
Participation	81.3	81.5	+0.2	0.0

We change the five inputs from their starting to ending values in every possible order, then average each area’s effect on the formula. This distributes the formula’s interactions (a Shapley allocation). It is a mathematical attribution, not a causal estimate.

Inputs and published scores are rounded, so contributions are approximate and may not add exactly to the displayed total. No significance test is implied. Read the full scoring method →

BENEATH THE SCORE

Five dimensions of democracy

The headline score cannot show where a political system is strong or constrained. These five tests can. Each has equal weight in the beta standard.

Free and fair elections

Can people choose their leaders through broad voting rights, honest elections, free political groups, and open public debate?

86.2

Rights and checks on power

Are basic freedoms protected, laws applied fairly, courts independent, and leaders prevented from abusing power?

92.6

Public participation

Can people shape public life through civic groups, direct voting, and meaningful local and regional government?

81.5

Public reasoning

Do leaders explain decisions, consult the public, answer opposing arguments, and consider the common good?

92.6

Political equality

Do different social groups have equal rights, access, resources, and a real chance to influence political power?

77.3

HOW TO READ THIS PROFILE

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.

The score breakdown identifies which parts of the measure changed most. The country report adds documented political context. Together they help explain the institutions at stake—but they do not prove that a specific event produced a specific number of points.

Why this score differs from other democracy indices →

What a declining score can—and cannot—tell us about democratic backsliding

A recent improvement can coexist with a long-term decline. Always compare the dates, check the linked source, and consider developments the selected narrative does not cover.

ANNUAL DATA

Uruguay score table

Download Uruguay CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	85.9	81.9–91.1	86.2	92.6	81.5	92.6	77.3
2024	83.9	79.3–89.8	84.6	91.6	81.5	84.0	77.9
2023	83.6	79.2–89.4	83.3	91.7	76.7	84.2	82.5
2022	83.0	79.1–89.0	81.8	92.5	77.0	84.2	80.0
2021	84.9	81.2–90.4	85.2	93.7	76.3	85.9	83.8
2020	86.4	82.9–91.5	86.7	94.4	78.2	86.9	86.2
2019	88.7	86.1–93.0	89.6	93.7	78.7	94.5	87.6
2018	88.5	85.7–92.7	89.6	93.7	78.5	93.5	87.5
2017	88.4	85.2–92.5	89.0	93.6	80.0	92.3	87.5
2016	88.9	86.0–93.0	89.7	93.2	80.7	93.0	88.1
2015	89.0	86.2–93.2	89.7	93.2	81.3	93.0	88.1
2014	89.7	87.0–93.4	90.9	92.9	82.5	94.1	88.4
2013	90.0	87.3–93.7	91.0	92.9	83.1	94.7	88.4
2012	89.7	87.3–93.5	91.2	93.0	80.9	95.9	88.0
2011	89.8	87.4–93.6	91.2	93.0	81.4	95.9	88.0
2010	90.0	87.5–93.6	91.2	93.0	82.0	95.8	88.2
2009	89.7	87.0–93.5	89.4	92.6	82.3	96.1	88.5
2008	89.2	86.4–93.1	89.2	92.6	80.5	95.9	88.3
2007	89.4	86.7–93.4	89.2	92.6	81.6	95.9	88.2
2006	89.3	86.7–93.5	89.2	92.6	82.2	95.9	87.0
2005	89.3	86.6–93.5	89.0	92.6	82.8	95.9	86.6
2004	88.5	85.5–92.9	87.4	93.4	83.3	93.9	84.8
2003	87.6	84.4–92.1	87.3	90.8	81.4	93.9	84.8
2002	88.0	85.0–92.5	87.3	92.7	81.9	93.5	84.8
2001	87.6	84.5–92.0	87.3	92.7	79.8	93.6	84.8
2000	87.6	84.4–92.1	87.3	91.7	80.8	93.6	84.8
1999	87.6	84.4–92.3	87.5	92.3	81.9	92.4	84.0
1998	87.9	84.8–92.6	87.7	92.3	83.5	92.4	84.0
1997	87.8	84.5–92.6	87.1	91.8	84.0	92.4	84.0
1996	88.0	84.7–92.6	87.1	92.1	84.5	92.4	84.0
1995	87.8	84.5–92.5	87.1	91.9	83.9	92.4	84.0
1994	87.2	83.7–91.9	83.8	91.9	83.9	92.4	84.0
1993	86.2	82.9–91.1	83.7	92.2	79.2	92.4	84.0
1992	86.2	82.9–91.1	83.7	92.2	79.2	92.4	84.0
1991	86.2	82.8–91.0	83.7	92.2	79.0	92.4	84.0
1990	86.3	82.8–91.0	83.6	92.2	79.5	92.4	84.0
1989	85.4	81.7–90.4	81.6	89.9	80.1	91.8	83.8
1988	82.4	78.7–87.4	81.5	89.9	66.3	91.8	83.8
1987	82.6	79.1–87.8	81.5	89.9	66.8	91.8	84.1
1986	81.8	78.2–87.3	81.5	85.1	67.4	91.8	84.1
1985	77.1	72.9–83.2	68.3	82.8	67.2	84.3	84.1
1984	27.8	21.2–33.1	12.9	17.1	35.7	14.3	76.3
1983	24.3	17.9–28.8	10.9	14.4	30.9	9.2	76.3
1982	24.1	17.7–28.8	10.9	14.4	30.9	9.2	75.0
1981	24.0	17.7–28.6	10.4	14.4	30.9	9.2	75.0
1980	26.4	20.0–31.4	10.4	14.4	30.9	18.7	74.5
1979	22.6	16.5–26.8	9.2	13.9	26.1	9.1	74.5
1978	22.7	16.6–26.9	9.2	13.9	26.7	9.1	74.5
1977	22.8	16.7–27.0	9.2	13.9	27.3	9.1	74.5
1976	23.0	17.1–27.4	9.2	14.4	27.9	9.1	74.5
1975	23.6	17.6–28.2	9.7	14.4	30.7	9.1	74.5
1974	23.6	17.6–28.2	9.7	14.4	30.7	9.1	74.5
1973	26.9	20.1–31.6	17.2	17.4	31.1	10.2	75.8
1972	63.8	56.6–71.8	48.9	63.0	71.2	56.9	81.4
1971	66.8	59.5–74.5	55.9	69.9	71.7	56.9	81.4
1970	67.9	60.7–75.7	58.9	71.5	72.3	56.9	81.4
1969	69.0	61.7–76.7	61.4	77.0	73.3	56.9	77.5
1968	69.4	62.0–76.8	62.7	77.0	73.3	56.9	78.5
1967	77.1	71.2–84.2	74.1	84.9	73.3	74.0	79.4
1966	80.5	76.0–86.7	76.3	84.8	72.7	89.8	79.4
1965	79.7	75.1–85.8	76.3	83.9	69.7	89.8	79.4
1964	79.8	75.4–86.1	76.2	83.9	70.5	89.8	79.4
1963	80.1	75.6–86.3	76.8	83.9	71.3	89.8	79.4
1962	80.7	76.0–86.7	78.6	83.9	72.2	89.8	79.4
1961	80.7	76.0–86.6	78.6	83.9	72.2	89.8	79.4
1960	80.7	76.0–86.6	78.6	83.9	72.2	89.8	79.4
1959	80.6	75.8–86.4	78.6	84.3	72.2	89.8	78.6
1958	80.6	76.2–86.7	79.1	84.3	72.2	89.8	78.3
1957	80.5	76.1–86.6	79.1	84.3	71.4	89.8	78.3
1956	80.6	76.2–86.8	79.1	84.1	72.2	89.8	78.3
1955	80.6	76.2–86.8	78.3	84.1	73.1	89.8	78.3
1954	80.7	76.2–86.9	78.4	84.1	73.6	89.8	78.3
1953	80.7	76.2–86.9	78.4	84.1	73.6	89.8	78.3
1952	80.3	75.6–86.6	78.4	83.1	73.6	88.6	78.3
1951	79.9	75.2–86.5	78.4	83.1	73.6	86.3	78.3
1950	79.5	74.9–86.2	78.0	83.3	72.2	86.3	78.3
1949	79.1	74.1–85.5	78.0	83.3	71.7	86.3	76.5
1948	78.9	73.9–85.3	78.0	82.3	72.0	86.3	76.5
1947	79.0	74.0–85.4	78.0	82.3	72.4	86.3	76.5
1946	78.6	73.8–85.2	75.9	82.3	72.7	86.3	76.1
1945	77.8	72.9–84.5	73.3	81.5	72.1	86.3	76.1
1944	77.8	72.7–84.3	72.7	81.5	72.6	86.3	76.1
1943	77.9	72.6–84.3	72.8	81.5	73.1	86.3	76.1
1942	68.5	62.3–77.5	63.4	68.0	70.1	67.6	73.7
1941	66.8	59.9–75.3	58.8	67.5	68.8	66.1	73.2
1940	66.8	59.9–75.3	58.8	67.5	68.8	66.1	73.2
1939	66.5	59.2–74.8	58.8	67.5	68.6	64.7	73.2
1938	59.6	51.4–67.6	47.4	63.7	63.0	52.5	73.2
1937	55.2	47.2–63.8	46.1	63.4	47.5	51.8	69.0
1936	55.1	46.8–63.7	46.1	63.1	47.4	51.8	69.0
1935	53.8	45.6–62.5	43.2	63.1	47.4	48.7	69.0
1934	50.7	43.0–58.9	37.4	55.3	47.4	48.7	67.3
1933	50.6	43.3–58.0	35.0	53.6	49.6	50.0	67.3
1932	68.4	63.3–75.3	55.0	81.4	54.1	84.8	69.6
1931	68.6	63.6–75.6	55.4	82.0	54.1	84.8	69.6
1930	69.3	64.5–75.9	55.8	82.5	54.1	87.9	69.6
1929	69.3	64.5–75.9	55.8	82.5	54.1	87.9	69.6
1928	69.4	64.5–76.0	56.2	82.5	54.1	87.9	69.6
1927	69.4	64.5–76.0	56.2	82.5	54.1	87.9	69.6
1926	69.4	64.5–76.0	56.2	82.5	54.1	87.9	69.6
1925	69.1	64.3–75.8	55.0	82.5	54.1	87.9	69.6
1924	68.6	63.7–75.4	52.8	82.5	54.1	87.9	69.6
1923	68.1	63.0–74.7	50.4	82.5	54.1	87.9	69.6
1922	67.6	62.3–74.0	48.6	82.5	54.1	87.9	69.5
1921	67.5	62.4–73.9	48.3	82.3	54.1	87.9	69.5
1920	67.6	62.5–73.9	48.3	82.8	54.1	87.9	69.5
1919	67.4	62.5–74.0	48.5	82.8	54.1	87.2	68.6
1918	64.1	58.7–71.2	44.4	81.6	45.0	87.2	68.6
1917	57.9	51.9–65.1	43.1	79.6	32.1	83.8	60.3
1916	53.5	46.8–60.5	37.1	79.2	23.4	81.7	59.9
1915	51.2	44.7–58.2	33.0	76.7	23.2	78.7	57.8
1914	50.8	44.6–58.2	32.3	76.3	23.2	78.0	57.8
1913	51.1	44.7–58.4	33.3	76.3	23.2	78.0	57.8
1912	51.1	44.8–58.6	33.4	76.2	23.2	78.0	57.8
1911	50.8	44.5–58.3	32.3	76.2	23.2	78.0	57.8
1910	49.6	42.9–56.9	30.8	75.6	21.6	77.2	57.5
1909	48.9	41.8–55.9	30.2	75.6	21.6	77.2	54.4
1908	48.8	41.6–55.8	30.2	74.7	21.6	77.2	54.4
1907	49.1	41.9–56.3	31.6	74.7	21.6	77.2	54.4
1906	49.1	41.8–56.2	31.7	74.4	21.6	77.2	54.4
1905	48.5	41.4–55.7	30.7	74.4	20.5	77.2	54.4
1904	47.0	40.5–55.2	29.5	73.0	20.5	72.1	53.4
1903	47.1	39.9–54.6	30.8	73.5	20.5	71.2	52.7
1902	45.2	37.4–52.5	30.8	73.5	20.5	59.6	52.7
1901	45.8	37.7–53.2	33.5	73.5	20.5	59.6	52.7
1900	45.9	37.8–53.2	33.8	73.5	20.5	59.6	52.7

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Uruguay Democracy Score, 1900–2025,” Democracys Standard v1.0 beta; derived from Coppedge et al. (2026), V-Dem Country-Year Dataset v16.

Open source DOI

NEARBY IN THE 2025 RANKING

#5Sweden86.5 #6Australia86.0 #8Costa Rica84.8 #9Taiwan84.5

All rankings

How democratic isUruguay?

Uruguay, 1975–2025

Pressure on journalists declined

Political equality

Elections

When did the biggest shifts appear?

Five dimensions of democracy

Free and fair elections

Rights and checks on power

Public participation

Public reasoning

Political equality

Two kinds of evidence.One clearer picture.

Uruguay score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Uruguay?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.