Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Uruguay instead of South Dakota, you would:

Health

live 1.7 years longer

In South Dakota, the average life expectancy is 77 years (76 years for men, 81 years for women) as of 2020. In Uruguay, that number is 78 years (75 years for men, 82 years for women) as of 2022.

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Economy

be 11.6% less likely to live below the poverty line

In South Dakota, 11.2% live below the poverty line as of 2023. In Uruguay, however, that number is 9.9% as of 2022.

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make 50.3% less money

South Dakota has a GDP per capita of $61,724 as of 2024, while in Uruguay, the GDP per capita is $30,700 as of 2023.

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be 3.5 times more likely to be unemployed

In South Dakota, 2.4% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In Uruguay, that number is 8.3% as of 2023.

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The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook, OECD Regional Demography, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Compare further: South Dakota vs. Uruguay

Cost of Living Comparison · 7 categories - 2026 data
Uruguay is 5.4% more expensive than South Dakota
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Size Comparison · See true size
South Dakota is around the same size as Uruguay.
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Uruguay: At a glance

Uruguay is a sovereign country in South America, with a total land area of approximately 175,015 sq km. Montevideo, founded by the Spanish in 1726 as a military stronghold, soon took advantage of its natural harbor to become an important commercial center. Claimed by Argentina but annexed by Brazil in 1821, Uruguay declared its independence four years later and secured its freedom in 1828 after a three-year struggle. The administrations of President Jose BATLLE in the early 20th century launched widespread political, social, and economic reforms that established a statist tradition. A violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement named the Tupamaros, launched in the late 1960s, led Uruguay's president to cede control of the government to the military in 1973. By yearend, the rebels had been crushed, but the military continued to expand its hold over the government. Civilian rule was not restored until 1985. In 2004, the left-of-center Frente Amplio Coalition won national elections that effectively ended 170 years of political control previously held by the Colorado and Blanco parties. Uruguay's political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent.
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How big is Uruguay compared to South Dakota? See an in-depth size comparison.

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