Uruguay: immigration

How many immigrants does Uruguay accept?

Uruguay granted 18,458 residence permits in 2025, up from 16,870 in 2024 and 6,074 in 2021, according to the National Migration Directorate's statistical yearbook chapter on residences granted. 90.6% went to people from the Americas.

Permanent Mercosur residences numbered 8,986, led by Argentines (2,545), Brazilians (2,403) and Venezuelans (1,389). General permanent residences numbered 3,885, of which 2,482 went to Cubans. The directorate notes that some residence types moved to its responsibility in 2023 and new types were added from October 2024, so totals before and after are not fully comparable.

Official sources: DNM: Residencias concedidas 2025 (PDF) · Ministerio del Interior: Anuario estadístico de la Dirección Nacional de Migración 2025

How many people claim asylum in Uruguay?

16,521 new asylum applications were lodged in Uruguay in 2025, up from 9,300 in 2024, according to UNHCR's refugee data. Cubans made 14,486 of them, Venezuelans 1,091 and Dominicans 647.

1,862 people were recognised as refugees in 2025, and 18,196 cases were closed without a decision, UNHCR reports. Many Cuban applicants later obtain residence through other routes: 2,482 Cubans received general permanent residence in 2025, according to the National Migration Directorate. Uruguay's Refugee Commission (CORE) decides asylum claims.

Official sources: UNHCR's refugee data · UNHCR reports

How many migrants live in Uruguay?

International migrants made up 4.7% of Uruguay's population in 2024, up from 3.2% in 2020 and 2.3% in 2015, according to UN estimates on World Bank Open Data. Net migration was an estimated outflow of 1,338 people in 2025, the same site shows.

The migrant stock counts people born abroad. Recent permanent residence permits have gone mainly to Argentines, Brazilians, Venezuelans and Cubans. The 2023 census by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) records place of birth; its results are on the census site. The estimated net outflow means slightly more people leave than arrive.

Official sources: World Bank Open Data (API) · the same site shows · census site

How many foreign-born people live in Uruguay?

The UN Population Division puts the share of people born abroad in Uruguay at 4.7% in 2024. It was 2.3% in 2015. It is 18th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 4.8%. Worldwide: 92nd of 193.

How many people move to Uruguay each year?

According to the UN Population Division, net migration in Uruguay was -1,338 in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was -967, and Uruguay placed 18th highest of 33. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 93rd highest.

How many refugees does Uruguay host?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 3,195. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 1,306, and Uruguay placed 9th highest of 28. Worldwide: 110th of 169.

How many people from Uruguay are refugees?

In 2025, the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Uruguay was 126, according to UNHCR. Its high point since 2005 was 2008, at 194; its low point was 2018, at 7. Latin America & Caribbean median: 710; Uruguay is 27th highest of 33. Of 189 countries with 2025 data, 143rd highest.

How much money do migrants send home to Uruguay?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is 0.2% of GDP. The peak was 0.5% of GDP in 2006 and the low 0.2% of GDP in 2015. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 3.3% of GDP, and Uruguay placed 25th highest of 27. Worldwide: 109th of 127.