Uruguay: crime and justice

What is the murder rate in Uruguay?

Uruguay recorded 375 homicides in 2025, a rate of 10.8 per 100,000 people, according to the Ministry of the Interior's crime statistics bulletin for January to June 2026. In the first half of 2026 there were 195 homicides, 6.6% more than the 183 in the first half of 2025.

The ministry counts intentional homicides using the international classification of crime (ICCS). From this edition rates use the INE's 2025 population revision; on the earlier basis the 2025 rate would be 10.4. The annual peak in the 2013 to 2025 series was 420 homicides in 2018.

Official sources: Ministerio del Interior: Boletín Semestral de Estadísticas Criminales enero - junio 2026 · Ministerio del Interior: Boletín Semestral (PDF)

How much crime is reported in Uruguay?

142,541 crimes were reported in Uruguay in the first half of 2026, 3.7% fewer than in the first half of 2025, according to the Ministry of the Interior's semi-annual crime bulletin. Thefts (hurtos) totalled 49,187, down 7.5%, and robberies with violence (rapiñas) 7,762, down 4.0%. Reports of fraud and computer fraud rose 1.9% to 14,035.

The figures are crimes reported to the police, so they depend on how many victims report. The bulletin compares each half-year with the same period of 2015, 2020, 2024 and 2025, and warns that changes in indicators with fewer than 50 cases should be read with care.

Official sources: Ministerio del Interior: Boletín Semestral de Estadísticas Criminales enero - junio 2026 (PDF)

How many domestic violence cases are reported in Uruguay?

43,534 reports of domestic violence and related offences were made to the police in Uruguay in 2025, 1,248.8 per 100,000 people, according to the Ministry of the Interior's crime statistics bulletin for January to June 2026. In the first half of 2026 there were 21,434 reports, 1.1% fewer than a year earlier.

Reports have risen from 29,088 in 2013. Related offences include threats and injuries committed in a domestic context. In the ministry's 2025 gender violence report, 61% of reports from January to October 2025 involved a partner or former partner and 39% other family members. The figures count complaints, so they also reflect willingness to report.

Official sources: crime statistics bulletin for January to June 2026 · 2025 gender violence report

How many women are killed in gender-based violence in Uruguay?

10 women were killed in gender-based violence in Uruguay in the first half of 2026, against 12 in the first half of 2025, according to the Ministry of the Interior's crime statistics bulletin for January to June 2026. 8 of them were killed by a partner or former partner.

Police also received 1,432 reports of sexual offences in the first half of 2026, 7.1% fewer than a year earlier. Because the numbers of killings are small, the ministry warns that changes in indicators with fewer than 50 cases should be read with care. Its Gender Policy Directorate publishes an annual report on domestic and gender violence each November.

Official sources: crime statistics bulletin for January to June 2026

How many people are killed in Uruguay's prisons?

16 people were killed in Uruguay's prisons in 2025, a rate of 1.0 per 1,000 people deprived of liberty, according to the Ministry of the Interior's crime statistics bulletin for January to June 2026. There were also 16 in 2024; the highest rate in the 2013 to 2025 series was 1.9 per 1,000, in 2018.

The indicator counts intentional homicides of prisoners, prison staff, visitors and others inside units run by the National Rehabilitation Institute (INR). The ministry calculates the rate using the prison population recorded in its prison management system. The prison homicide rate is many times higher than the national rate of about 10.8 per 100,000.

Official sources: crime statistics bulletin for January to June 2026

What is the murder rate in Uruguay?

The latest figure from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, for 2023, is 11.2 per 100,000. Its high point since 2005 was 2018, at 12.4 per 100,000; its low point was 2005, at 5.8 per 100,000. It is 17th highest of 25 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 19.1 per 100,000. Worldwide: 18th of 79.

How many women are killed in Uruguay?

The latest figure from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, for 2023, is 3.2 per 100,000. Since 2006 it has ranged from 1.9 per 100,000 (2007) to 3.3 per 100,000 (2018). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 3.4 per 100,000, and Uruguay placed 14th highest of 25. Of 78 countries with 2023 data, 15th highest.

How many men are murdered in Uruguay?

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime puts the homicide rate for men in Uruguay at 19.8 per 100,000 in 2023. Since 2006 it has ranged from 9.8 per 100,000 (2011) to 22.1 per 100,000 (2018). Latin America & Caribbean median: 33.1 per 100,000; Uruguay is 18th highest of 25. Worldwide: 19th of 78.