The Economist classed Uruguay as the only full democracy in South America

Uruguay is the only country in South America with a “full democracy,” according to the latest edition of the Democracy Index 2024, published by the British group The Economist. In this analysis, with a score of 8.67 out of 10, the country remains in 15th place globally out of 167 nations, and only 25 are classified as full democracies. Uruguay remains the democratic leader in the region in terms of democratic strength due to its solid political infrastructure and high standards of civil rights and electoral participation.

The study evaluates five key variables to measure the quality of democracies: electoral process and pluralism, functioning of government, political participation, political culture, and civil liberties. Uruguay obtained a perfect score of 10 in the electoral process and pluralism. In addition, it received 9.29 points in government performance, 7.78 in political participation, 6.88 in political culture, and 9.41 in civil liberties.

These figures show the country’s consistency in maintaining a robust democratic environment. Since the study’s creation, which has been conducted annually since 2006, the country’s score has remained stable, never falling below 8. In the Latin American context, the only other country to enter the top 25 fully-fledged democracies in 2024 was Costa Rica, in 18th place with 8.29 points.

The Economist warns that global democracy faces significant challenges. This year’s index reflects a widespread deterioration in democratic standards, noting that “global democracy is in worse shape than at any time in the index’s nearly two-decade history.”

Globally, countries are classified into four categories: full democracies, flawed democracies, hybrid regimes, and authoritarian regimes. Despite difficulties worldwide, Uruguay remains a benchmark for solid and stable democracy in Latin America.

In 2024, Uruguay held national elections in which Yamandú Orsi was elected president, reaffirming the country’s democratic strength and maturity. The process, marked by high citizen participation, took place in an atmosphere of respect and acceptance, which earned recognition from various international media outlets. CNN highlighted the political alternation in Uruguay as a model comparable to that of the most consolidated democracies in Europe. At the same time, DW underlined the maturity of Uruguayan society, where the legitimacy of the electoral results is not questioned. The New York Times and El País of Spain also praised the exemplary conduct of the elections.

Beyond its political stability, Uruguay is distinguished by its social peace, low levels of inequality, and high quality of life. Its modern infrastructure and its free and accessible education system reinforce its attractiveness, both for those seeking to reside in the country and for investors. Furthermore, its leadership in renewable energies and its commitment to technological innovation consolidate its image as a nation prepared for the future. Thanks to its institutional strength, strategic location, and privileged access to a market of 400 million people in Latin America, Uruguay is positioned as a regional benchmark in terms of stability and development.