Colonia: population, jobs, health and schools
Colonia is a department of Uruguay, number 5 of 19 by population. Colonia had 135,797 residents at the 2023 Census, 3.9% of Uruguay's 3,499,451 people and 5th largest of 19 departments by population.
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Colonia: The unemployment rate in Colonia was 6.9% in the June-August 2026 moving quarter (Uruguay: 7.1%), joint 10th highest of 19 departments; about 4,800 people were unemployed.
- Health in Colonia: Life expectancy at birth in Colonia was 77.5 years in 2022 (Uruguay: 76.3), 3rd highest of 19 departments.
- Education in Colonia: Colonia had 120 public primary schools with 10,205 pupils in 2023, plus 12 private schools with 666 pupils.
Is the population of Colonia growing or shrinking?
Between 2011 and 2023 the population of Colonia rose by 8,439 people (+6.6%), from 127,358 to 135,797; the national change was +2.5% and this was 5th fastest growth of 19 departments.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadistica (INE), Uruguay · saved copyHow has the population of Colonia changed since 1996?
Colonia had 123,583 residents in 1996, against 135,797 in 2023, a change of +12,214 people (+9.9%) over 27 years; Uruguay grew +7.4% over the same period.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadistica (INE), Uruguay · saved copyHow many births and deaths are there in Colonia?
From July 2011 to May 2023, Colonia recorded 17,676 births and 16,295 deaths, a natural increase of 1,381 people (MSP vital statistics; 2023 deaths preliminary).
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadistica (INE), Uruguay · saved copyDo more people move to or leave Colonia?
Total population change in Colonia between 2011 and 2023 (+8,439) differed from natural change (+1,381) by +7,058 people, a gap of +5.5% of the 2011 population that INE treats as an implicit migration balance; this was 5th most positive of 19 departments.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadistica (INE), Uruguay · saved copyHow departments are governed in Uruguay
Departments (19). Intendente and departmental council (junta departamental, 31 members) directly elected for five years. Roads, urban planning, waste, transport, local taxes; in practice the main local government.
Every tier of government in Uruguay
Other departments of Uruguay
- Montevideo 1,302,954
- Canelones 608,956
- Maldonado 212,951
- Salto 136,197
- Paysandu 121,843
- San Jose 119,714
- Rivera 109,300
- Tacuarembo 96,013
- Cerro Largo 91,025
- Soriano 83,685
- Rocha 80,707
- Artigas 77,487
- Florida 70,325
- Durazno 62,011
- Lavalleja 59,175
- Rio Negro 57,334
- Treinta Y Tres 47,706
- Flores 26,271
Up a level: Uruguay · government and power in Uruguay
Sources
- Instituto Nacional de Estadistica (INE), Uruguay: Anuario Estadistico Nacional 2024, table 3.1.12: pass rate in public upper secondary education by modality and department (MEC), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 2b68354044e1…)
- Instituto Nacional de Estadistica (INE), Uruguay: Anuario Estadistico Nacional 2024, table 3.1.3: schools, teachers and pupils in public and private common primary education by department (MEC), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5f21b4c9b002…)
- Instituto Nacional de Estadistica (INE), Uruguay: Anuario Estadistico Nacional 2024, table 3.1.8: pass rate in public lower secondary education by modality and department (MEC), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 afd3e8097808…)
- Instituto Nacional de Estadistica (INE), Uruguay: Anuario Estadistico Nacional 2024, table 3.1.9: establishments and students in upper secondary education by department (MEC), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 51d7a7e44d34…)
- Instituto Nacional de Estadistica (INE), Uruguay: A.2.4 Fertility indicators, total country and departments, 1996-2023 (general and total fertility rate, mean age at maternity; Revision 2025), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 4830200ff087…)
- Instituto Nacional de Estadistica (INE), Uruguay: A.2.3 Mortality indicators, total country and departments, 1996-2023 (life expectancy at birth and at 65; Population estimates and projections, Revision 2025), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 e0bb53ebfb61…)
- Instituto Nacional de Estadistica (INE), Uruguay: Censo 2023: estimated population, intercensal growth and structure by sex and age, total country and departments (final results, December 2024), Tables 1 and 2, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 608174e04006…)
- Instituto Nacional de Estadistica (INE), Uruguay: Mercado de trabajo por area geografica de residencia (ECH), June-August 2026: Tables 1-3 by department, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 410c443622d8…)
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