OVERALL PROGRESS
Context
Uruguay is the second smallest country in South America and is located in the eastern part of the Southern Cone. It shares borders with Brazil and Argentina with a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. The country’s population is 3.4 million. The country has been going through an advanced ageing process. According to a study, by 2050, 22 per cent of Uruguayans will be over the age of 65; this percentage will rise to 30 per cent by 2100. Uruguay has a democratic republican form of government with national, departmental, and municipal levels government and administration.
The country stands out in Latin America for having a high per capita income and low levels of inequality and poverty. In relative terms, its middle class is the largest in the Americas, accounting for more than 60 per cent of its population. According to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, the average unemployment rate was lower than in previous years (7.8 per cent). In line with this, there has also been a reduction in the informality rate. The proportion of households living in poverty was estimated at 0.2 per cent.
During the reporting period, a series of floods significantly impacted Uruguay and the quality of life for communities in the southern part of the country, particularly in San José, Canelones and Florida. Approximately 100,000 people were affected. The situation remains challenging due to ongoing adverse weather conditions and saturated soil, which have caused roadblocks and widespread power outages, further hindering access and communication in the affected areas.