Uruguay: environment

How much of Uruguay's electricity is renewable?

Renewable sources produced 84.4% of Uruguay's electricity in 2021, according to World Bank Open Data, the latest year it publishes.

The World Bank defines the share as electricity generated by renewable power plants as a share of electricity generated by all types of plants, and takes it from International Energy Agency statistics. The same database shows that 100% of Uruguay's population had access to electricity in 2024. Energy statistics for Uruguay are published by the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining.

Official sources: World Bank: Renewable electricity output (% of total electricity output), Uruguay · World Bank: Access to electricity (% of population), Uruguay · Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining

What are Uruguay's greenhouse gas emissions?

Uruguay emitted 44.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to World Bank Open Data. CO2 emissions per person were 2.6 tonnes, according to the per capita series.

The total covers the six Kyoto Protocol gases from energy, industry, waste and agriculture. Methane and nitrous oxide from agriculture are counted in it as well as CO2. The World Bank takes the figures from the EDGAR database of the European Commission's Joint Research Centre.

Official sources: World Bank: Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF, Uruguay · World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita excluding LULUCF, Uruguay

How much of Uruguay is forest?

Forest covered 11.46% of Uruguay's land area in 2024, up from 11.25% in 2022, according to FAO estimates on World Bank Open Data. Much of the increase comes from eucalyptus and pine plantations.

Uruguay is mainly grassland (the pampas) used for cattle and sheep grazing, so native forest is limited, mostly along rivers. Plantations grown since the 1987 Forestry Law supply the pulp mills that make wood pulp one of the country's main exports. The FAO counts both native forest and plantations as forest.

Official sources: World Bank Open Data (API)

What is air quality like in Uruguay?

People in Uruguay were exposed to an average of 10.85 micrograms of fine particles (PM2.5) per cubic metre in 2023, down from 11.79 in 2022, according to World Bank Open Data. The World Health Organization guideline for annual exposure is 5 micrograms.

The figure is a modelled estimate that combines satellite data with ground measurements and is weighted by population, so it mostly reflects Montevideo and other cities. Uruguay's electricity comes mainly from renewable sources, which limits pollution from power generation. The Ministry of Environment and the Montevideo city government run air quality monitoring stations.

Official sources: World Bank Open Data (API)

What are Uruguay's CO2 emissions per person?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Uruguay was 2.6 tonnes in 2024. The peak was 2.7 tonnes in 2012 and the low 1.7 tonnes in 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 2.3 tonnes, and Uruguay placed 15th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 91st of 186.

How much greenhouse gas does Uruguay emit?

In 2024, total greenhouse gas emissions in Uruguay was 44.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. No year since 2005 has been higher. Latin America & Caribbean median: 19.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; Uruguay is 11th highest of 33. Worldwide: 84th of 186.

How much renewable energy does Uruguay use?

According to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, the renewable share of final energy use in Uruguay was 57.8% in 2021. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 61.2%; its low point was 2006, at 37.6%. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 18.9%, and Uruguay placed 4th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 41st of 191.

How much of Uruguay is forest?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 11.5%. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 50.6%, and Uruguay placed 32nd highest of 32. World rank, highest first: 150th of 190.

What is air pollution like in Uruguay?

In 2023, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Uruguay was 10.9 micrograms per cubic metre, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 15.7 micrograms per cubic metre; Uruguay is 27th highest of 33. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 148th highest.

How much of Uruguay is in national parks and reserves?

In 2025, the share of land in protected areas in Uruguay was 3.1%, according to the UN Environment Programme. The peak was 3.7% in 2020 and the low 2.7% in 2013. Latin America & Caribbean median: 20.1%; Uruguay is 32nd highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 176th of 192.

Is Uruguay short of water?

According to the FAO, water stress in Uruguay was 12.1% in 2022. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 7.7%, and Uruguay placed 11th highest of 32. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 84th highest.