Free
96
/ 100
| Political Rights | 40 / 40 |
| Civil Liberties | 56 / 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
96 / 100 Free
A country or territory’s Freedom in the World status depends on its aggregate Political Rights score, on a scale of 0–40, and its aggregate Civil Liberties score, on a scale of 0–60. See the methodology.
Uruguay has a historically strong democratic governance structure and record of upholding political rights and civil liberties. There are some persistent issues with pressure on journalists, delays in the court system, conditions in the country’s prisons, and political representation of marginalized groups.
- Yamandú Orsi of the leftist Frente Amplio (Broad Front) party narrowly won the presidency in a run-off election in November. He defeated Álvaro Delgado of the center-right ruling coalition, who had sought to succeed outgoing President Luis Lacalle Pou of the center-right Partido Nacional (National Party). The Frente Amplio also retained the most representatives in October elections to the upper and lower chambers of parliament. The elections took place peacefully and stakeholders accepted the results.
- In August, the Movement for a Sovereign Uruguay (MOVUS) filed a complaint with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), citing the executive branch’s refusal to disclose information about an agreement with the company HIF Global regarding a planned green hydrogen and fuel plant in Paysandú. The group, which claimed the project would have adverse environmental impacts, said it had exhausted domestic legal avenues to procure the information.
- In May, Parliament passed a law creating a section of the National Archive to hold information about the nation’s 1973–85 dictatorship, derived from intelligence records. The move was largely celebrated, although some expressed concerns about the privacy of those who had been detained and surveilled.
- Parliament passed a measure in September that increased the number of media licenses a person or entity may control, and relaxed transparency requirements for granting licenses. The move prompted concern among media freedom advocates about greater concentration of media among fewer owners.
- In September, six people were killed in a fire in the Santiago Vázquez prison. Media reported that the fire was set intentionally, and the incident underscored persistent issues with prison security.
This report has been abridged for Freedom in the World 2025 due to ongoing budget constraints. Freedom in the World is entirely funded by nongovernmental sources such as private foundations, corporations, and individuals like you. Please consider making a donation to support future editions of this vital resource.
For additional background information, see last year’s full report.
A1 0-4 pts
| Was the current head of government or other chief national authority elected through free and fair elections? | 4 / 4 |
A2 0-4 pts
| Were the current national legislative representatives elected through free and fair elections? | 4 / 4 |
A3 0-4 pts
| Are the electoral laws and framework fair, and are they implemented impartially by the relevant election management bodies? | 4 / 4 |
B1 0-4 pts
| Do the people have the right to organize in different political parties or other competitive political groupings of their choice, and is the system free of undue obstacles to the rise and fall of these competing parties or groupings? | 4 / 4 |
B2 0-4 pts
| Is there a realistic opportunity for the opposition to increase its support or gain power through elections? | 4 / 4 |
B3 0-4 pts
| Are the people’s political choices free from domination by forces that are external to the political sphere, or by political forces that employ extrapolitical means? | 4 / 4 |
B4 0-4 pts
| Do various segments of the population (including ethnic, racial, religious, gender, LGBT+, and other relevant groups) have full political rights and electoral opportunities? | 4 / 4 |
C1 0-4 pts
| Do the freely elected head of government and national legislative representatives determine the policies of the government? | 4 / 4 |
C2 0-4 pts
| Are safeguards against official corruption strong and effective? | 4 / 4 |
C3 0-4 pts
| Does the government operate with openness and transparency? | 4 / 4 |
D1 0-4 pts
| Are there free and independent media? | 3 / 4 |
D2 0-4 pts
| Are individuals free to practice and express their religious faith or nonbelief in public and private? | 4 / 4 |
D3 0-4 pts
| Is there academic freedom, and is the educational system free from extensive political indoctrination? | 4 / 4 |
D4 0-4 pts
| Are individuals free to express their personal views on political or other sensitive topics without fear of surveillance or retribution? | 4 / 4 |
E1 0-4 pts
| Is there freedom of assembly? | 4 / 4 |
E2 0-4 pts
| Is there freedom for nongovernmental organizations, particularly those that are engaged in human rights– and governance-related work? | 4 / 4 |
E3 0-4 pts
| Is there freedom for trade unions and similar professional or labor organizations? | 4 / 4 |
F1 0-4 pts
| Is there an independent judiciary? | 4 / 4 |
F2 0-4 pts
| Does due process prevail in civil and criminal matters? | 3 / 4 |
F3 0-4 pts
| Is there protection from the illegitimate use of physical force and freedom from war and insurgencies? | 3 / 4 |
F4 0-4 pts
| Do laws, policies, and practices guarantee equal treatment of various segments of the population? | 4 / 4 |
G1 0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy freedom of movement, including the ability to change their place of residence, employment, or education? | 4 / 4 |
G2 0-4 pts
| Are individuals able to exercise the right to own property and establish private businesses without undue interference from state or nonstate actors? | 4 / 4 |
G3 0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy personal social freedoms, including choice of marriage partner and size of family, protection from domestic violence, and control over appearance? | 4 / 4 |
G4 0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy equality of opportunity and freedom from economic exploitation? | 3 / 4 |
