Economy overview: Uruguay’s economy is characterized by an export-oriented agriculture, a highly skilled labor force, a relatively even distribution of income, and a high level of social spending. After an average annual growth of 5% in 1996-98. the economy suffered a contraction in 1999 due to sluggish demand in Argentina and Brazil, which account for about 50% of Uruguayan exports. Despite the trade crisis and the subsequent recession, Uruguay’s financial performance is more stable than in neighboring countries, confirming its high reputation among investors and the high rating of its bonds (no other country in Latin America has a higher rating). The targets set by the government of Jorge BATLE include expanding Uruguay’s trade links with its MER-COSUR partners and reducing government spending. In 2000, GDP fell by 1.1%. See topb2bwebsites.com to know more about Uruguay in 2004. GDP: at purchasing power parity – $31 billion (2000 est.). Real GDP growth rate: -1.1% (2000 est.). GDP per capita: at purchasing power parity – $9,300 (2000 est.). The composition of GDP by sectors of the economy: agriculture: 10%; industry: 28%; services: 62% (1999). Proportion of the population below the poverty line: no data available. Percentage distribution of household income or consumption: for the poorest 10% of households: n/a; by top 10% of households: no data. Inflation rate at consumer prices: 4.8% (2000 est.). Labor force: 1.5 million people (1999 est.). Employment structure: no data. Unemployment rate: 14% (2000 oc). Budget: revenues: $4 billion; expenses: $4.6 billion, including capital investments – $500 million (2000 est.). Spheres of economy: food industry, electrical engineering, production of transport equipment, oil products, fabrics, chemicals, drinks. Growth in industrial production: -2.1% (2000 est.). Electricity generation: 5.704 billion kWh (1999) Sources of electricity generation: fossil fuels: 3.86%; hydropower: 95.44%; nuclear fuel: 0%; ‘fdag; others: 0.7% (1999). Electricity consumption: 5.89 billion kWh (1999) Electricity export: 215 million kWh (1999). Electricity import: 800 million kWh (1999). Agricultural products: wheat, rice, barley, corn, sorghum, livestock, fish. Exports: $2.6 billion (free on board, 2000 est.) Exports: meat, rice, leather goods, vehicles, dairy products, wool. Export partners: MERCO-SUR partners 45%, EU 20%, USA 7% (1999 est.). Imports: $3.4 billion (free on board, 2000 est.) Imports: road vehicles, electrical equipment, metal products, heavy engineering products, crude oil. Import partners: MERCOSUR partners 43%, EU 20%, US 11% (1999 est.). External debt: $8 billion (1999 est.). Recipient of economic assistance: no data. Economic aid donor: Currency: Uruguayan peso. Currency code: UYU. Exchange rate: UYU/USD – 12.5610 (January 2001), 12.0996 (2000), 11.3393 (1999), 10.4719 (1998), 9.4418 (1997), 7.9718 (1996). Fiscal year: calendar year.
Telecommunications
Telecommunications Telephone lines: 850,000 (2000). Mobile cell phones: 300,000 (2000). Telephone system: not quite modern; domestic: most modern equipment concentrated in Montevideo, new nationwide microwave radio relay network; international: satellite earth stations – 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean). Broadcasting stations: AM – 94, FM – 115, shortwave -14 (of which 7 are inactive) (1998). Radio receivers: 1.97 million (1997) Television broadcast stations: 26 (and 10 low power repeaters for Montevideo station) (1997). Televisions: 782,000 (1997). Internet country code: uy Internet Service Providers: 7 (2000). Number of users: 300,000 (2LLC)
Transport
Transport Railways: total: 2,073 km; with standard gauge: 2,073 km (1.435 m gauge) (1997). Roads: total: 8,983 km; coated: 8,085 km; unpaved: 898 km (1999 est.). Waterways: 1,600 km; used by coasters and river boats with shallow draft. Pipelines: Ports and harbors: Colonna, Montevideo, Nueva Palmira, Paysandu, Piriapolis, Punta del Este, Fray Bentos. Merchant fleet: total: 2 vessels (displacement of 1,000 tons or more) with a displacement of 7,752 gross register tons / 5,228 long tons of full load capacity; ships of different types: oil tankers – 1; ferries – 1 (2000 est.). Airports: 64 (2000 est.). Airports with paved runways: total: 15; from 2438 to 3047 m:1; from 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5; from 914 to 1,523 m: 8; less than 914 m: 1 (2000 est.). Airports with unpaved runways: total: 49; from 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2; from 914 to 1523 m:16; less than 914 m: 31 (2000 est.).
Armed forces
Branches of the armed forces: army, navy (including naval aviation, coast guard, marines), air force, police. Enlistment age: Total military manpower: male 15 to 49: 817,535 (2001 est.). Eligible for military service: males aged 15 to 49: 661,777 (2001 est.). Number of persons reaching military age each year: Military spending in dollar terms: $172 million (FY98). Military spending as part of GDP: 0.9% (FY98)
