Uruguay Hospital Beds

Uruguay’s hospital‑bed stock has fallen dramatically since the early 1970s, when the all‑time peak of 5.91 beds per 1,000 people was recorded, to a trough of 0.96 in 2008, before a modest recovery to 2.44 in 2025, placing the nation 65th worldwide. The long‑term decline reflects broader regional shifts toward outpatient care and efficiency‑driven hospital consolidation, while the recent uptick aligns Uruguay more closely with peers such as the United Kingdom (2.36) and Thailand (2.50). Over the 27‑year coverage period, the average density remains well below the 1970 peak, indicating persistent under‑capacity relative to historic levels. Demographic ageing and the lingering effects of the 2008 financial crisis have constrained public investment, yet incremental policy reforms and modest private sector growth have halted the slide. Continued fiscal space for health infrastructure and targeted incentives for bed expansion could further reverse the downward trajectory and bring Uruguay’s hospital capacity nearer to regional benchmarks.