Country Guide

Uruguay Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil


Geographic coordinates:
33 00 S, 56 00 W


Map references:
South America


Area:
total:176,215 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 91
land:175,015 sq km
water:1,200 sq km


Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than the state of Washington


Land boundaries:
total:1,648 km
border countries:Argentina 580 km, Brazil 1,068 km


Coastline:
660 km


Maritime claims:
territorial sea:12 nm
contiguous zone:24 nm
exclusive economic zone:200 nm
continental shelf:200 nm or edge of continental margin


Climate:
warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown


Terrain:
mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland


Elevation extremes:
lowest point:Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point:Cerro Catedral 514 m


    Natural resources:
arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fish


Land use:
arable land:10.25%
permanent crops:0.22%
other:89.52% (2011)


Irrigated land:
1,810 sq km (2003)


Total renewable water resources:
139 cu km (2011)


Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
139 cu km (2011)

Natural hazards:
seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasional violent wind that blows north from the Argentine pampas), droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains, which act as weather barriers, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapid changes from weather fronts


Environment - current issues:
water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal


Environment - international agreements:
party to:Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation


Geography - note:
second-smallest South American country (after Suriname); most of the low-lying landscape (three-quarters of the country) is grassland, ideal for cattle and sheep raising

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Uruguayan(s)
adjective:Uruguayan


Ethnic groups:
white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%, Amerindian (practically nonexistent)


Languages:
Spanish (official), Portunol, Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on the Brazilian frontier)


Religions:
Roman Catholic 47.1%, non-Catholic Christians 11.1%, nondenominational 23.2%, Jewish 0.3%, atheist or agnostic 17.2%, other 1.1% (2006)


Demographic profile:
Uruguay rates high for most development indicators and is known for its secularism, liberal social laws, and well-developed social security, health, and educational systems. It is one of the few countries in Latin America and the Caribbean where the entire population has access to clean water. Uruguay's provision of free primary through university education has contributed to the country's high levels of literacy and educational attainment. However, the emigration of human capital has diminished the state's return on its investment in education. Remittances from the roughly 18% of Uruguayans abroad amount to less than 1 percent of national GDP. The emigration of young adults and a low birth rate are causing Uruguay's population to age rapidly.


Population:
3,332,972 (July 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 135


Age structure:
0-14 years:21% (male 356,851/female 344,576)
15-24 years:16% (male 269,820/female 262,830)
25-54 years:38.9% (male 639,766/female 658,257)
55-64 years:10.1% (male 158,170/female 178,194)
65 years and over:13.9% (male 185,132/female 279,376) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:55.9 %
youth dependency ratio:33.8 %
elderly dependency ratio:22.1 %
potential support ratio:4.5 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:34.3 years
male:32.6 years
female:35.9 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
0.26% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 175


Birth rate:
13.18 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 152


Death rate:
9.48 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 56


Net migration rate:
-1.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 149


Urbanization:
urban population:92.5% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:0.45% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
MONTEVIDEO (capital) 1.672 million (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.04 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.03 male(s)/female
25-54 years:0.97 male(s)/female
55-64 years:0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.66 male(s)/female
total population:0.93 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Maternal mortality rate:
29 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)


    Infant mortality rate:
total:8.97 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 149
male:9.95 deaths/1,000 live births
female:7.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


Life expectancy at birth:
total population:76.81 yearscountry comparison to the world: 71
male:73.67 years
female:80.06 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
1.84 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 149


Contraceptive prevalence rate:
77%


Health expenditures:
8% of GDP (2011)


Physicians density:
3.74 physicians/1,000 population (2008)


Hospital bed density:
3 beds/1,000 population (2011)


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 99.9% of population
rural: 94.9% of population
total: 99.5% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0.1% of population
rural: 5.1% of population
total: 0.5% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 96.5% of population
rural: 95.8% of population
total: 96.4% of population
unimproved:
urban: 3.5% of population
rural: 4.2% of population
total: 3.6% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.7% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 60


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
13,200 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 95


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
24.8% (2008)country comparison to the world: 64


Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
4.5% (2011)country comparison to the world: 94


Education expenditures:
4.5% of GDP (2011)country comparison to the world: 92

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:98.1%
male:97.6%
female:98.5% (2010 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:16 years
male:14 years
female:17 years (2010)


Child labor - children ages 5-14:



Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:18.5%country comparison to the world: 66
male:14.7%
female:23.6% (2012)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Oriental Republic of Uruguay
conventional short form:Uruguay
local long form:Republica Oriental del Uruguay
local short form:Uruguay
former:Banda Oriental, Cisplatine Province


Government type:
constitutional republic


Capital:
name:Montevideo
geographic coordinates:34 51 S, 56 10 W
time difference:UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:+1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends second Sunday in March


Administrative divisions:
19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres


Independence:
25 August 1825 (from Brazil)


National holiday:
Independence Day, 25 August (1825)


Constitution:
several previous; latest approved by plebiscite 27 November 1966, effective 15 February 1967; amended several times, last in 2004 (2013)


Legal system:
civil law system based on the Spanish civil code


International law organization participation:
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory


Executive branch:
chief of state:President Jose 'Pepe' MUJICA Cordano (since 1 March 2010); Vice President Danilo ASTORI Saragoza (since 1 March 2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government:President Jose 'Pepe' MUJICA Cordano (since 1 March 2010); Vice President Danilo ASTORI Saragoza (since 1 March 2010)
cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by the president with parliamentary approval
elections:president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held on 29 November 2009 (next to be held in October 2014)
election results:Jose 'Pepe' MUJICA Cordano elected president; percent of vote - Jose 'Pepe' MUJICA Cordano 54.8%, Luis Alberto LACALLE 45.2%


Legislative branch:
bicameral General Assembly or Asamblea General consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (30 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; vice president has one vote in the Senate) and Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (99 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections:Chamber of Senators - last held on 25 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014); Chamber of Representatives - last held on 25 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014)
election results:Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Frente Amplio 16, Blanco 9, Colorado Party 5; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Frente Amplio 50, Blanco 30, Colorado Party 17, Independent Party 2


Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Supreme Court of Justice (consists of 5 judges)
judge selection and term of office:judges nominated by the president and appointed in joint conference of the General Assembly; judges appointed for 10-year terms, with re-election after a lapse of 5 years following the previous term
subordinate courts:Courts of Appeal; District Courts (Juzagados Letrados); Peace Courts (Juzagados de Paz); Rural Courts (Juzgados Rurales)


    Political parties and leaders:
Broad Front (Frente Amplio) - formerly known as the Progressive Encounter/Broad Front Coalition or EP-FA [Monica XAVIER] (a broad governing coalition that includes Popular Participation Movement (MPP), New Space Party (Nuevo Espacio) [Rafael MICHELINI], Progressive Alliance (Alianza Progresista) [Rodolfo NIN NOVOA], Socialist Party [vacant], Communist Party [Eduardo LORIER], Uruguayan Assembly (Asamblea Uruguay) [Danilo ASTORI Saragoza], and Vertiente Artiguista [Enrique RUBIO])
Colorado Party (Vamos Uruguay) [Martha MONTANER]
Independent Party [Pablo MIERES]
National Party or Blanco [Luis Alberto HEBER]


Political pressure groups and leaders:
Chamber of Commerce and Export of Agriproducts


International organization participation:
CAN (associate), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO


Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Carlos Alberto GIANELLI Derois (since 11 September 2012)
chancery:1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006
telephone:[1] (202) 331-1313 through 1316
FAX:[1] (202) 331-8142
consulate(s) general:Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York


Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Julissa REYNOSO (since 30 March 2012)
embassy:Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200
mailing address:APO AA 34035
telephone:[598] (2) 1770-2000
FAX:[598] (2) 1770-2128


Flag description:
nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating with blue; a white square in the upper hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face known as the Sun of May with 16 rays that alternate between triangular and wavy; the stripes represent the nine original departments of Uruguay; the sun symbol evokes the legend of the sun breaking through the clouds on 25 May 1810 as independence was first declared from Spain (Uruguay subsequently won its independence from Brazil)


National symbol(s):
Sun of May (a sun-with-face symbol)


National anthem:
name:'Himno Nacional' (National Anthem of Uruguay)

lyrics/music:Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/Francisco Jose DEBALI
note:adopted 1848; the anthem is also known as 'Orientales, la Patria o la tumba!' ('Uruguayans, the Fatherland or Death!'); it is the world's longest national anthem in terms of music (105 bars; almost five minutes); generally only the first verse and chorus are sung

Economy

Economy - overview:
Uruguay has a free market economy characterized by an export-oriented agricultural sector, a well-educated work force, and high levels of social spending. Following financial difficulties in the late 1990s and early 2000s, economic growth for Uruguay averaged 8% annually during the period 2004-08. The 2008-09 global financial crisis put a brake on Uruguay's vigorous growth, which decelerated to 2.6% in 2009. Nevertheless, the country managed to avoid a recession and keep positive growth rates, mainly through higher public expenditure and investment, and GDP growth reached 8.9% in 2010 but slowed in 2012-13, the result of a renewed slowdown in the global economy and in Uruguay's main trade partners and Common Market of the South (Mercosur) counterparts, Argentina and Brazil. Uruguay has sought to expand trade within Mercosur and with non-Mercosur members. Uruguay's total merchandise trade with Mercosur since 2006 has increased by nearly 70% to more than $5 billion while its total trade with the world has almost doubled to roughly $23 billion in 2013.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$56.27 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
$54.37 billion (2012 est.)
$52.31 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$57.11 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
3.5% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
3.9% (2012 est.)
6.5% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$16,600 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
$16,100 (2012 est.)
$15,500 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


Gross national saving:
17.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
15.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
16.4% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:68.9%
government consumption:13.6%
investment in fixed capital:23.1%
investment in inventories:-0.8%
exports of goods and services:25.8%
imports of goods and services:-30.5%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:7.5%
industry:21.5%
services:71% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
soybeans, rice, wheat; beef, dairy products; fish; lumber, cellulose


Industries:
food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, textiles, chemicals, beverages


Industrial production growth rate:
6.6% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39

Labor force:
1.7 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:13%
industry:14%
services:73% (2010 est.)


Unemployment rate:
6.5% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
6% (2012 est.)


Population below poverty line:
18.6% (2010 est.)


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:1.9%
highest 10%:34.4% (2010 est.)


Distribution of family income - Gini index:
45.3 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 40
44.8 (1999)


Budget:
revenues:$17.14 billion
expenditures:$18.62 billion (2013 est.)


    Taxes and other revenues:
30% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-2.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109


Public debt:
62.8% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
59.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
note:data cover general government debt, and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions.


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
8.3% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
8.1% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
9% (31 December 2012)
country comparison to the world: 30
8.75% (31 December 2011)
note:Uruguay's central bank uses the benchmark interest rate, rather than the discount rate, to conduct monetary policy; the rates shown here are the benchmark rates


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
11.3% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
11.2% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$5.312 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
$5.32 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$8.689 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
$8.648 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$17.66 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
$16.86 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$175.4 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Current account balance:
-$2.721 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
-$2.69 billion (2012 est.)


Exports:
$10.5 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
$9.89 billion (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
beef, soybeans, cellulose, rice, wheat, wood, dairy products; wool


Exports - partners:
Brazil 18.6%, China 17.9%, Argentina 6.2%, Germany 4.3% (2012)


Imports:
$12.5 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
$12.26 billion (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
refined oil, crude oil, passenger and other transportation vehicles, vehicle parts, cellular phones


Imports - partners:
China 16.4%, Brazil 14.9%, Argentina 14.6%, US 9.1%, Paraguay 7.3% (2012)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$16.32 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
$13.6 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Debt - external:
$17.61 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
$16.02 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$20.69 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
$17.76 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$422 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
$357 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Exchange rates:
Uruguayan pesos (UYU) per US dollar -
20.58 (2013 est.)
20.311 (2012 est.)
20.059 (2010 est.)
22.568 (2009)
20.936 (2008)

Energy

Electricity - production:
9.5 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95


Electricity - consumption:
7.96 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94


Electricity - exports:
19 million kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89


Electricity - imports:
477 million kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
2.588 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
39.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
59.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84


Crude oil - production:
1,183 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107


Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199


Crude oil - imports:
38,680 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201


Refined petroleum products - production:
43,440 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
51,100 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99


Refined petroleum products - exports:
4,656 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92


Refined petroleum products - imports:
16,420 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112


Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203


Natural gas - consumption:
80 million cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108


Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200


Natural gas - imports:
80 million cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74


Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202


Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
8.326 million Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
1.01 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 76


Telephones - mobile cellular:
5 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 111


Telephone system:
general assessment:fully digitalized
domestic:most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; nationwide microwave radio relay network; overall fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity has reached 170 telephones per 100 persons
international:country code - 598; the UNISOR submarine cable system provides direct connectivity to Brazil and Argentina; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)



    Broadcast media:
mixture of privately owned and state-run broadcast media; more than 100 commercial radio stations and about 20 TV channels; cable TV is available; many community radio and TV stations; adopted the hybrid Japanese/Brazilian HDTV standard (ISDB-T) in December 2010 (2010)


Internet country code:
.uy


Internet hosts:
1.036 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 45


Internet users:
1.405 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 86

Transportation

Airports
133 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 43


Airports - with paved runways
total:11
over 3,047 m:1
1,524 to 2,437 m:4
914 to 1,523 m:4
under 914 m:2 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:122
1,524 to 2,437 m:3
914 to 1,523 m:40
under 914 m:
79 (2013)


Pipelines
gas 257 km; oil 160 km (2013)


Railways
total:1,641 kmcountry comparison to the world: 77
standard gauge:1,641 km 1.435-m gauge (1,200 km operational) (2010)


    Roadways
total:77,732 kmcountry comparison to the world: 62
paved:7,743 km
unpaved:69,989 km (2010)


Waterways
1,600 km (2011)
country comparison to the world: 50


Merchant marine
total:16country comparison to the world: 100
by type:bulk carrier 1, cargo 2, chemical tanker 3, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned:8 (Argentina 1, Denmark 1, Greece 1, Spain 5)
registered in other countries:1 (Liberia 1) (2010)



Ports and terminals
major seaport(s):Montevideo

Military

Military branches
Uruguayan Armed Forces: Uruguayan National Army (Ejercito Nacional Uruguaya, ENU), Uruguayan National Navy (Armada Nacional del Uruguay; includes naval air arm, Naval Rifle Corps (Cuerpo de Fusileros Navales, Fusna), Maritime Prefecture in wartime), Uruguayan Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Uruguaya, FAU) (2012)


Military service age and obligation
18-30 years of age (18-22 years of age for navy) for male or female voluntary military service; up to 40 years of age for specialists; enlistment is voluntary in peacetime, but the government has the authority to conscript in emergencies; minimum 6-year education (2013)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:771,159
females age 16-49:780,932 (2010 est.)


    Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:649,025
females age 16-49:654,903 (2010 est.)


Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:27,564
female:26,811 (2010 est.)


Military expenditures
1.95% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 42
1.94% of GDP (2011)
1.95% of GDP (2010)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
in 2010, the ICJ ruled in favor of Uruguay's operation of two paper mills on the Uruguay River, which forms the border with Argentina; the two countries formed a joint pollution monitoring regime; uncontested boundary dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera/Brasiliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim River leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question; smuggling of firearms and narcotics continues to be an issue along the Uruguay-Brazil border


    Trafficking in persons



Illicit drugs
small-scale transit country for drugs mainly bound for Europe, often through sea-borne containers; law enforcement corruption; money laundering because of strict banking secrecy laws; weak border control along Brazilian frontier; increasing consumption of cocaine base and synthetic drugs
 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook

LookForAttorney.com | Country Guide of Macau

Country Guide

Macau Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China


Geographic coordinates:
22 10 N, 113 33 E


Map references:
Southeast Asia


Area:
total:28.2 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 237
land:28.2 sq km
water:0 sq km


Area - comparative:
less than one-sixth the size of Washington, DC


Land boundaries:
total:0.34 km
regional border:China 0.34 km


Coastline:
41 km


Maritime claims:
lowest point:South China Sea 0 m
highest point:Coloane Alto 172 m


    Natural resources:
NEGL


Land use:
arable land:0%
permanent crops:0%
other:100% (2011)


Irrigated land:
NA; note - included in the total for China


Natural hazards:
typhoons


Environment - current issues:
NA


Environment - international agreements:
party to:Marine Dumping (associate member), Ship Pollution (associate member)

Geography - note:
essentially urban; an area of land reclaimed from the sea measuring 5.2 sq km and known as Cotai now connects the islands of Coloane and Taipa; the island area is connected to the mainland peninsula by three bridges

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Chinese
adjective:Chinese


Ethnic groups:
Chinese 92.4%, Portuguese 0.6%, mixed 1.1%, other 5.9% (includes Macanese - mixed Portuguese and Asian ancestry) (2011 est.)


Languages:
Cantonese 83.3%, Mandarin 5%, Hokkien 3.7%, English 2.3%, other Chinese dialects 2%, Tagalog 1.7%, Portuguese 0.7%, other 1.3%


Religions:
Buddhist 50%, Roman Catholic 15%, none or other 35% (1997 est.)


Population:
587,914country comparison to the world: 170
note:Macau's statistical agency estimated the total population to be approximately 607,500 as of 31 December 2013 (July 2014 est.)



Age structure:
0-14 years:14.4% (male 44,350/female 40,272)
15-24 years:13.7% (male 41,941/female 38,697)
25-54 years:50.9% (male 133,612/female 165,735)
55-64 years:11.8% (male 35,011/female 34,372)
65 years and over:8.8% (male 25,254/female 28,670) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:26.6 %
youth dependency ratio:15.7 %
elderly dependency ratio:10.8 %
potential support ratio:9.2 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:37.7 years
male:38.3 years
female:37.3 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
0.83% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 133


Birth rate:
8.98 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 209


Death rate:
4.1 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 209


Net migration rate:
3.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 33


Urbanization:
urban population:100% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:2.01% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.1 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.08 male(s)/female
25-54 years:0.81 male(s)/female
55-64 years:0.91 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.88 male(s)/female
total population:0.91 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


    Infant mortality rate:
total:3.13 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 216
male:3.29 deaths/1,000 live births
female:2.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


Life expectancy at birth:
total population:84.48 yearscountry comparison to the world: 2
male:81.52 years
female:87.59 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
0.93 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 223


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA


Education expenditures:
2.7% of GDP (2011)country comparison to the world: 148

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:95.6%
male:97.8%
female:93.7% (2011 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:14 years
male:15 years
female:14 years (2008)


Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:5.8%country comparison to the world: 134
male:7%
female:4.7% (2011)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Macau Special Administrative Region
conventional short form:Macau
official long form:Aomen Tebie Xingzhengqu (Chinese); Regiao Administrativa Especial de Macau (Portuguese)
official short form:Aomen (Chinese); Macau (Portuguese)


Dependency status:
special administrative region of the People's Republic of China


Government type:
limited democracy


Administrative divisions:
none (special administrative region of the People's Republic of China)


Independence:
none (special administrative region of China)


National holiday:
National Day (anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 20 December 1999 is celebrated as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day


Constitution:
previous 1976 (Organic Statute of Macau, by Portugal); latest adopted 31 March 1993, effective 20 December 1999 (Basic Law of the Macau Special Administrative Region, by the People's Republic of China, serves as Macau's constitution) (2013)


Legal system:
civil law system based on the Portuguese model


Suffrage:
18 years of age in direct elections for some legislative positions, universal for permanent residents living in Macau for the past seven years; note - indirect elections are limited to organizations registered as 'corporate voters' (973 were registered in the 2009 legislative elections) and a 400-member Election Committee for the Chief Executive drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, central government bodies, and elected Macau officials


Executive branch:
chief of state:President of China XI Jinping (since 14 March 2013)
head of government:Chief Executive Fernando CHUI Sai On (since 20 December 2009)
cabinet:Executive Council consists of 1 government secretary, 3 legislators, 4 businessmen, 2 pro-Beijing unionists, and 1 professional
elections:chief executive chosen by a 400-member Election Committee for a five-year term (current chief executive is eligible for a second term); election last held on 26 July 2009 (next to be held in August 2014)
note:the Legislative Assembly voted in August 2012 to expand the electoral committee from 300 to 400 seats for the 2014 election.
election results:Fernando CHUI Sai On elected with 282 votes and took office on 20 December 2009


Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Assembly (33 seats; 14 geographical constituency seats elected by popular vote, 12 functional constituency seats elected by indirect vote, and 7 seats appointed by the chief executive; members serve four-year terms)
elections:last held on 15 September 2013 (next to be held in September 2017)
election results:percent of vote - ACUM 18.0%, UMG 11.1%, UPP 10.8%, NE 9.0%, NUDM 8.9%, UPD 8.2%, APMD 7.5%, ANMD 6.0%, APM 6.0%, others 14.5%; seats by political group - ACUM 3, UMG 2, UPP 2, NE 2, NUDM 1, UPD 1, APMD 1, ANMD 1, APM 1; 12 seats filled by professional and business groups; 7 members appointed by the chief executive


    Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Court of Final Appeal of Macau Special Administrative Region (consists of the court president and 2 associate justices)
judge selection and term of office:justices appointed by the Macau chief executive upon the recommendation of an independent commission of judges, lawyers, and 'eminent' persons; judge tenure NA
subordinate courts:Court of Second Instance; Court of First instance; Lower Court; Administrative Court


Political parties and leaders:
Alliance for Change or APM [Melinda CHAN Mei-yi]
Macau-Guangdong Union or UMG [MAK Soi-kun]
New Democratic Macau Association or ANMD (an electoral list of New Macau Association [Jason CHAO Teng-hei]
New Hope or NE [Jose Maria Pereira COUTINHO]
New Macau Association or AMN [Jason CHAO Teng-hei]
New Union for Macau's Development or NUDM [Angela LEONG On-kei]
Prosperous Democratic Macau Association or APMD (an electoral list of New Macau Association [Jason CHAO Teng-hei]
Union for Development or UPD [KWAN Tsui-hang]
Union for Promoting Progress or UPP [HO Ion-sang]
United Citizens Association of Macau or ACUM [CHAN Meng-kam]
note:there is no political party ordinance, so there are no registered political parties; politically active groups register as societies or companies


Political pressure groups and leaders:
Civic Power [Agnes LAM lok-fong]


International organization participation:
ICC (national committees), IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), ISO (correspondent), UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCO, WTO


Diplomatic representation in the US:
note:as a Special Administrative Region of China, 'Yiyongjun Jinxingqu' is the official anthem (see China)

Economy

Economy - overview:
Since opening up its locally-controlled casino industry to foreign competition in 2001, Macau has attracted tens of billions of dollars in foreign investment, transforming the territory into one of the world's largest gaming centers. Macau's gaming and tourism businesses were fueled by China''s decision to relax travel restrictions on Chinese citizens wishing to visit Macau. - In 2013, Macau's gaming-related taxes accounted for more than 85% of total government revenue. Macau''s economy slowed dramatically in 2009 as a result of the global economic slowdown, but strong growth resumed in 2010-13, largely on the back of tourism from mainland China and the gaming sectors. In 2013, this city of 607,500 hosted nearly 29.3 million visitors. Almost 64% came from mainland China. Macau''s traditional manufacturing industry has slowed greatly since the termination of the Multi-Fiber Agreement in 2005. China is Macau''s second largest goods export market, behind Hong Kong, and followed by the United States. In 2013, exports were US$1.1 billion, while gaming receipts were US$45.2 billion, an 18.6% increase over 2012. Macau''s economy expanded by 11.9% in 2013; although impressive, it was a slower growth rate than in previous years. Macau continues to face the challenges of managing its growing casino industry, money-laundering, and the need to diversify the economy away from heavy dependence on gaming revenues. Macau''s currency, the pataca, is closely tied to the Hong Kong dollar, which is also freely accepted in the territory.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$51.68 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
$46.19 billion (2012 est.)
$42.34 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$51.68 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
11.9% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
9.1% (2012 est.)
21.3% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$88,700 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
$79,900 (2010 est.)
$73,900 (2009 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:18.7%
government consumption:6.5%
investment in fixed capital:12.8%
investment in inventories:1.1%
exports of goods and services:107%
imports of goods and services:-46%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:0%
industry:6.5%
services:93.5% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
only 2% of land area is cultivated, mainly by vegetable growers; fishing, mostly for crustaceans, is important; some of the catch is exported to Hong Kong


Industries:
tourism, gambling, clothing, textiles, electronics, footwear, toys


Industrial production growth rate:
17.6% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2

Labor force:
367,800 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160


Labor force - by occupation:
manufacturing:2.5%
construction:9.8%
transport and communications:4.4%
wholesale and retail trade:12.4%
restaurants and hotels:15%
gambling:25.9%
public sector:7.1%
financial services:2.6%
other services:20.3% (2013)


Unemployment rate:
1.8% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
2% (2012 est.)


Population below poverty line:
NA%


    Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:NA%
highest 10%:NA%


Distribution of family income - Gini index:
35 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 91
38 (2008)


Budget:
revenues:$19.44 billion
expenditures:$7.407 billion (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
37.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
23.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.5% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
6.1% (2012 est.)


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
5.25% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
5.25% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$7.363 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
$5.953 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$55.17 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
$46.87 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$-5.504 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
$-5.678 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$85.5 billion (2 March 2012 est.)


Current account balance:
$18.69 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
$16.2 billion (2011 est.)


Exports:
$1.137 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
$1.02 billion (2012 est.)
note:includes reexports


Exports - commodities:
clothing, textiles, footwear, toys, electronics, machinery and parts


Exports - partners:
Hong Kong 53.4%, China 17.7%, US 4% (2013 est.)


Imports:
$10.13 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
$8.866 billion (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
raw materials and semi-manufactured goods, consumer goods (foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco, garments and footwear, motor vehicles), capital goods, mineral fuels and oils


Imports - partners:
China 32.6%, Hong Kong 13%, France 8.6%, Japan 5.9%, US 5% (2013 est.)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$16.15 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
$16.6 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
note:the Fiscal Reserves Act that came into force on 1 January 2012 requires the fiscal reserve to be separated from the foreign exchange reserves and to be managed separately; the transfer of assets took place in February 2012


Debt - external:
$0 (31 December 2013)
country comparison to the world: 204
$0 (31 December 2012)


Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$18.91 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
$14.91 billion (31 December 2011 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$1.166 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
$667.8 million (2011)


Exchange rates:
patacas (MOP) per US dollar -
8 (2013 est.)
7.9899 (2012 est.)
8.0022 (2010 est.)
7.983 (2008)
8.011 (2007)

Energy

Electricity - production:
413.7 million kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166


Electricity - consumption:
4.291 billion kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121


Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162


Electricity - imports:
4.059 billion kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
472,000 kW (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
100% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
0% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197


Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192


Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147


Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159


Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
7,376 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160


Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194


Refined petroleum products - imports:
5,780 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145


Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159


Natural gas - consumption:
355,000 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113


Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140


Natural gas - imports:
371,000 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75


Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163


Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
1.805 million Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
162,500 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 132


Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.613 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 150


Telephone system:
general assessment:fairly modern communication facilities maintained for domestic and international services
domestic:termination of monopoly over mobile-cellular telephone services in 2001 spurred sharp increase in subscriptions with mobile-cellular teledensity exceeding 200 per 100 persons; fixed-line subscribership appears to have peaked and is now in decline
international:country code - 853; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; HF radiotelephone communication facility; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2011)



    Broadcast media:
local government dominates broadcast media; 2 television stations operated by the government with one broadcasting in Portuguese and the other in Cantonese and Mandarin; 1 cable TV and 4 satellite TV services available; 3 radio stations broadcasting, of which 2 are government-operated (2012)


Internet country code:
.mo


Internet hosts:
327 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 189


Internet users:
270,200 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 134

Transportation

Airports
1 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 224


Airports - with paved runways
total:1
over 3,047 m:1 (2013)


Heliports
2 (2013)


Roadways
total:413 kmcountry comparison to the world: 199
paved:413 km (2009)


    Ports and terminals
major seaport(s):Macau

Military

Military branches
no regular indigenous military forces


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:150,780 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:124,189
females age 16-49:149,514 (2010 est.)


    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:4,274
female:3,674 (2010 est.)


Military - note
defense is the responsibility of China

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
none


    Illicit drugs
transshipment point for drugs going into mainland China; consumer of opiates and amphetamines
 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook