Uruguay has achieved more than a decade of high and inclusive economic growth, supported by social stability and reduced regional linkages. The country has weathered the recent global and regional headwinds relatively well so far. Yet the economy is slowing down, while inflation remains above...

This paper examines the dimensions in which Uruguay's financial development is lagging, and the benefits that might accrue if obstacles to development in these areas were removed. The analysis focuses on the frictions affecting firms' access to credit, corporate credit deepening, and the...

Background: Uruguay has experienced a decade of strong and inclusive expansion since its 2002 crisis, thanks to important institutional reforms, large-scale FDI projects attracted by Uruguay’s stable macroeconomic environment and business-friendly investment climate, and favorable external...

This 2014 Article IV Consultation highlights that the Uruguayan economy continues to decelerate gradually. Real GDP growth is estimated to have softened to a still robust 3.25 percent in 2014 from 4.5 percent in 2013, mostly reflecting the moderation in domestic demand growth amid a less...

This Selected Issues paper reviews Uruguay’s experience with inclusive growth over the last two decades, and identifies challenges and policy options to promote greater equality going forward. Uruguay has a long history of high living standards comparable to many developed countries, and has...

This Selected Issues paper examines the performance of Uruguay's exports, external balances, and relative price movements over the past decade and applies the IMF's standard external sector assessment tools to Uruguay. The results indicate that Uruguay has made important strides in export...

Uruguay’s near-term outlook is positive, but with risks and policy challenges. Medium-term challenges include bolstering the economy’s resilience to shocks and fostering productivity growth. Inflation is a priority and monetary policy cannot fight inflation alone; concerted efforts on other...

Uruguay’s inflation and inflation expectations exceed the inflation target, and the gap has been widening in recent years. To help bring it to the mid-point of the target, Banco Central del Uruguay (BCU) needs to maintain a tightening bias in addition to strengthening its communication. This...

In 2023, Uruguay confronted the impact of a once-in-a-century drought, causing significant direct losses to the primary sector. The economic situation in Argentina created further headwinds for Uruguay, although with no signs of financial spillovers. The economy remained resilient, owing to the...

This Selected Issues paper explores fiscal consolidation measures that could generate the savings needed to lower debt. In Uruguay, the authorities' policies, together with a favorable macroeconomic environment, have led to a decline of the public debt-to-gross domestic product ratio to...