Women in Uruguay

Women in Uruguay
Paulina Luisi was a prominent Uruguayan feminist leader, and also the first Uruguayan woman to graduate as a physician.
General statistics
Maternal mortality (per 100,000)10 (2024)
Women in parliament22.3% (2026)
Women over 25 with secondary education50.6% (2010)
Women in labour force68% (2014)
Gender Inequality Index
Value0.235 (2021)
Rank58th out of 191
Global Gender Gap Index
Value0.711 (2022)
Rank72nd out of 146

Women in Uruguay are women who live in or are from the country. Their status has changed significantly throughout its history, and legislation aimed at advancing women’s rights began to be enacted in the early twentieth century. The country was one of the first in Latin America to grant women the right to vote, which was first exercised in national elections in 1938. Uruguayan legislation guarantees gender equality and provides protection against gender-based violence.