Share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Uruguay
Uruguay: Share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas was 8.7% in 2023. ▬ Flat
Share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Uruguay, 1991–2023
Source: ILO via World Bank – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Uruguay is 8.7%, measured in 2023.
The figure is up 0.2% on the previous year and down 6.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Uruguay peaked at 11.6% in 2010 and was at its lowest, 7.1%, in 1993.
Uruguay ranks 117th of 186 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Uruguay, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 7.2% | — |
| 1992 | 7.4% | +3.1% |
| 1993 | 7.1% | -4.2% |
| 1994 | 7.3% | +3.3% |
| 1995 | 7.6% | +3.9% |
| 1996 | 8.3% | +8.8% |
| 1997 | 8.9% | +7.5% |
| 1998 | 10.9% | +22.6% |
| 1999 | 11.4% | +4.0% |
| 2000 | 11.3% | -0.9% |
| 2001 | 11.3% | -0.1% |
| 2002 | 11.3% | +0.1% |
| 2003 | 11.1% | -1.5% |
| 2004 | 10.8% | -2.5% |
| 2005 | 10.4% | -3.8% |
| 2006 | 10.7% | +3.1% |
| 2007 | 10.7% | -0.6% |
| 2008 | 10.6% | -0.9% |
| 2009 | 11.0% | +3.5% |
| 2010 | 11.6% | +5.6% |
| 2011 | 9.8% | -15.3% |
| 2012 | 8.6% | -12.1% |
| 2013 | 9.3% | +7.9% |
| 2014 | 9.1% | -1.6% |
| 2015 | 8.8% | -3.5% |
| 2016 | 8.2% | -6.8% |
| 2017 | 8.7% | +6.3% |
| 2018 | 8.4% | -4.4% |
| 2019 | 8.3% | -0.7% |
| 2020 | 8.0% | -3.5% |
| 2021 | 8.7% | +8.2% |
| 2022 | 8.7% | +0.2% |
| 2023 | 8.7% | +0.2% |
Uruguay compared with similar countries
- Uruguay's 8.7% is above the median for high income countries, which is 2.6%, 3.3× the median. (62 countries reporting)
- Uruguay's 8.7% is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 12.0%, 73% of the median. (31 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 8.5% | 7.1% | 11.4% | 9 |
| 2000s | 10.9% | 10.4% | 11.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 9.1% | 8.2% | 11.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 8.5% | 8.0% | 8.7% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Uruguay
More agriculture & rural data for Uruguay
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 3.67 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.0638 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 1,609 current US$ per person (2025)
- Rural population, annual growth rate -1.32 % change on previous year (2025)
- Rural population, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Rural population, per capita 0.0435 units per person (2025)
- Share of GDP from agriculture 6.4% (2025)
- Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita 6.4% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials exports 14.1% (2024)
- Agricultural raw materials imports 0.8% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Uruguay?
- Share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Uruguay was 8.7% in 2023, according to ILO via World Bank – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas recorded in Uruguay?
- The highest recorded value was 11.6% in 2010.
- What is the lowest share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas recorded in Uruguay?
- The lowest recorded value was 7.1% in 1993.
- How does Uruguay rank for share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas?
- Uruguay ranks 117th out of 186 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas rising or falling in Uruguay?
- Over the last ten years it is down 6.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Uruguay data come from?
- The figures come from ILO via World Bank – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The share of people employed in agriculture includes working-age people with a job in farming, forestry, fishing, and related activities, including those temporarily absent.