• The Human Development Index of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), which measures education, real income levels, and life expectancy throughout the world, ranked Uruguay as number 46. In 2003, Uruguay was number 40.

• 10.6% of children under the age of five seen by Public Health in Uruguay show signs of malnutrition. Under-nourished children not only suffer delayed growth and weakening of the immune system, but do not have the same ability to learn as adequately nourished children.

• In late 2003, 31% of Uruguay's population was poor. This situation has the severest impact on children. 57% of children under the age of six and 50% of children aged six to twelve live in poverty.

• In 2004, according to the most recent census data, about 850,000 Uruguayans live in poverty.

• The poverty gap is at a little over 30%. This means that household income in poor families is about 30% less than what is needed to meet food requirements, as well as goods and services, without deprivation.

• Since 2001, infant mortality has risen 1.2% in Montevideo and 0.5% in the interior of the country.

• 42.3 % uses Ministry of Public Health services. Of the premature infants seen at the Pereira Rossell Hospital, 16% had hearing problems and 3.6% had serious visual problems.

• 2.8% of school-age children do not go to school. This is because so many of them have to work to support their families.


For more detailed information, visit the website of the Instituto Nacional de Estadística. http://www.ine.gub.uy (National Institute of Statistics of Uruguay).