Ruqayyah Snyder
Uruguayans have been emigrating to Australia since the 1960s, with growing numbers in the 1970s due to military dictatorship. According to the 2016 census, there were 8,995 people in Australia who were born in Uruguay, with a median age of 58 years. The census also showed that 47.2% were male and 52.8% female, and 38.3% were aged 65 years and over. Language does not seem to be a barrier for Uruguayans in Australia, with 80% of the community speaking English very well or satisfactorily. In addition, the Uruguayan community in Australia has a high integration rate, with an 88% citizenship rate, which is above the national average.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of migration | The first migrants from Uruguay came to Australia in the 1960s, with growing numbers in the 1970s due to military dictatorship. |
| Number of Uruguayan Australians | As per the 2006 census, 9,376 Australians were born in Uruguay, while 6,485 claimed Uruguayan ancestry. |
| Language barrier | Language is no longer an integration barrier for Latino communities in Australia. About 47% of Uruguayans speak English very well. |
| Age profile | Uruguayans in Australia have an older population, with 42% aged 60 years and over, and only 2% under the age of 19. |
| Employment | In the 2016 census, 66.6% of people born in Uruguay who lived in Australia did unpaid domestic work in the week before the census, and 26.8% cared for children in the two weeks before the census. |
| Housing | In the 2016 census, 64.8% of Uruguayan-born people in Australia lived in separate houses, 18.2% in flats or apartments, and 16.1% in semi-detached, row, or terrace houses. |
| Education | In the 2016 census, 8.1% of the Uruguayan population in Australia were attending an educational institution. |
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What You'll Learn
Military dictatorship in Uruguay
The military dictatorship in Uruguay, also known as the Uruguayan Dictatorship, lasted from 1973 to 1985. It was an authoritarian regime that ruled the country for 12 years, from June 27, 1973, until March 1, 1985. The dictatorship was the culmination of an escalation of violence and authoritarianism in a traditionally peaceful and democratic country.
The military dictatorship in Uruguay was marked by human rights violations, torture, and the unexplained disappearances of many Uruguayans. During this period, the military regime targeted the left-wing Tupamaros (Tupas) guerrilla group and anyone believed to be associated with them. An astounding 2% of the Uruguayan population was imprisoned during the military regime, the highest global incarceration per capita to date. Many Uruguayans were arrested, tortured, or disappeared, with at least 197 detainees whose fates remain unknown. They are known as "Desaparecidos" or the disappeared.
The dictatorship arose from a coup d'état in 1973, when President Bordaberry replaced the Minister of National Defence, Armando Malet, with retired general Antonio Francese, in an attempt to control the buildup of military pressure. However, the new minister only found support from the Navy, and the commanders of the Army and Air Forces disavowed his orders. This led to a standoff between the military and the government, with the Army occupying radio stations and the streets of Montevideo. As a result of the coup, Uruguay's democratically elected Parliament was dismissed on June 27, 1973, for resisting the military regime. Bordaberry then created a new Council of State, putting the military in control of civilian affairs.
The military dictatorship in Uruguay had a significant impact on the country's society and politics. The regime imposed strict control over education, stripping local education councils of their autonomy and implementing a stringent syllabus that censored textbooks and evaluated students' ideological attachment to the regime. Additionally, the dictatorship left a legacy of repression, torture, exile, and disappearances, with former Uruguayan Secretary of Human Rights, Nelson Villarreal Durán, describing it as "state terrorism." The amnesty laws enacted after the dictatorship, such as the Law on the Expiration of the Punitive Claims of the State, have been controversial and heavily criticized by those seeking justice and accountability.
The military dictatorship in Uruguay drove many Uruguayans to flee the country, with almost 10% emigrating during this period. Those who left sought to escape the human rights violations, fear, and repression inflicted by the military regime. The impact of the dictatorship continued to be felt even after its end, with families searching for missing loved ones and struggling to come to terms with their loss.
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Uruguayans in Australia are well-integrated
Language is no longer an integration barrier for Latino communities in Australia. While only 47% of Uruguayans speak English very well, at least 80% of the Latino community in Australia speak English either very well or satisfactorily. This is an improvement on the 7% reported for non-English speaking countries in 1989. The first Uruguayan migrants came to Australia in the 1960s, with growing numbers in the 1970s due to military dictatorship. By the 2016 Census, there were 8,995 people in Australia who were born in Uruguay, with a median age of 58 years. Of those, 8.1% were attending an educational institution, and 66.6% did unpaid domestic work in the week before the census.
Uruguayans in Australia are well-represented in parliament. In 1999, the Uruguayan-born Telmo Languiller became the first Latino parliamentarian in Australia by winning the lower house seat of Sunshine in Victoria.
In summary, Uruguayans in Australia are well-integrated into society, with high citizenship rates, improving language skills, and representation in parliament.
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Uruguayans in South Australia
Uruguayans have been migrating to Australia since the 1960s, with growing numbers in the 1970s due to a worsening economy, political repression, and military dictatorship in Uruguay. According to the 2006 Australian census, 9,376 Australians were born in Uruguay, while 6,485 claimed Uruguayan ancestry. The 2011 census showed that Uruguayans in Australia have a relatively older population, with 42% aged 60 years and over and only 2% under the age of 19. This is in contrast to other Latin American communities in Australia, such as Venezuela, which has a younger population.
The integration of the Uruguayan community into Australian society is evident through their citizenship rates. The 2011 census indicated that 88% of the Uruguayan community in Australia had adopted citizenship, which is just above the national average of 85% for all migrant communities. This is a significant improvement from the seven percent reported for non-English speaking countries in 1989. However, language still seems to be a factor affecting integration, as only 47% of Uruguayans in Australia speak English very well, according to the 2011 census.
The Uruguayan-born population in Australia has remained relatively stable over the years. The 2021 Australian census recorded 9,205 Uruguayans living in Australia, a slight decrease from the 9,690 recorded 30 years ago. In South Australia specifically, the Uruguayan community has been documented through various censuses. The 1986 census recorded 116 Uruguayan-born South Australians, while the 1991 census showed a slight decrease to 112. The 1996 census recorded 116, and the 2001 census recorded 123. The 2016 census data shows an increase to 129 Uruguayan-born South Australians, with 106 people claiming Uruguayan descent.
The history of Australia-Uruguay relations dates back to the early 20th century. Consular relations between the two countries were established in 1923, and diplomatic relations were established in 1948. Australia and Uruguay have a history of economic cooperation, particularly in the agricultural sector, with the exchange of knowledge and resources to strengthen their respective industries. They are also partners in scientific research and conservation within the Antarctic Treaty System.
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Uruguayans in Australia have higher education levels
Uruguayans in Australia tend to have higher education levels, which can be attributed to various factors. Firstly, Uruguay has a strong education system with a long history of prioritizing education. Education is compulsory for a total of fourteen years, beginning with two years of pre-primary education, followed by six years of primary education, and finally six years of middle education or secondary education. This commitment to education is reflected in Uruguay's high literacy rate, which was the highest in Latin America at 96% in 1985.
Additionally, Uruguay has a relatively high number of students pursuing post-secondary education. While the postsecondary education enrollment rate was about 20% in the past, there has been an increasing trend in recent years. For example, in 1987, there were 175,710 secondary school students enrolled in day and night classes in public high schools alone. Moreover, Uruguay has a strong preference for certain disciplines and professions deemed prestigious, such as law, social sciences, engineering, medicine, economics, and administration. This focus on prestigious careers may contribute to a higher level of education among Uruguayans.
The integration of English instruction into the Uruguayan curriculum also plays a role in the migration of educated Uruguayans to Australia. English is now taught in 91% of urban schools from the fourth to sixth grades of primary education. This improvement in English proficiency makes it easier for Uruguayans to consider studying and working abroad, including in Australia. According to the census data, 42% of Uruguayans in Australia are 60 years of age or older, indicating that many Uruguayan migrants may have taken advantage of educational opportunities to move to Australia in their younger years.
Furthermore, the small size of Uruguay's higher education system may contribute to the emigration of well-educated Uruguayans. Uruguay has only two public universities and four private universities. With limited options for higher education within the country, ambitious and well-educated Uruguayans may seek opportunities in countries like Australia, which offers a wider range of educational and career prospects.
In summary, the high education levels of Uruguayans in Australia can be attributed to Uruguay's strong educational foundations, increasing enrollment rates, emphasis on certain prestigious disciplines, improving English proficiency, and the limited higher education opportunities within the country. These factors contribute to a well-educated Uruguayan population, some of whom choose to migrate to Australia, further enhancing their educational and career prospects.
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Uruguayans in Australia have higher employment rates
Uruguayans have a strong presence in Australia, with a significant number migrating during the 1960s and 1970s due to economic and political factors. The Australian official program during this period encouraged the influx of Uruguayan workers, particularly those with high skill levels and education. This trend has continued, with Australia offering various visas that cater to skilled Uruguayan workers, such as the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 494) and the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189). These visas allow Uruguayan citizens to fill labour shortages and contribute their skills to the Australian economy.
Language proficiency also plays a role in the high employment rates of Uruguayans in Australia. While only 47% of Uruguayans in Australia speak English very well, language does not seem to be a significant barrier to employment. This suggests that Uruguayan migrants possess skills and qualifications that are in demand in the Australian job market, allowing them to secure employment despite potential language challenges.
The stable and positive relationship between Australia and Uruguay has also contributed to the successful integration of Uruguayan migrants into the Australian workforce. With a history of economic cooperation, similar export-oriented agricultural sectors, and a shared focus on Antarctic science and conservation, the two countries have strong ties. This favourable relationship likely creates a supportive environment for Uruguayan migrants seeking employment opportunities in Australia.
Additionally, Uruguayans in Australia have higher income rates, which further contributes to their successful integration and employment prospects. Their strong work ethic and skilled backgrounds have likely contributed to their economic success, enabling them to establish stable lives in their new country. Overall, the combination of favourable diplomatic relations, specialised visa programs, and the skilled nature of Uruguayan migrants has led to their notable employment success in Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
Uruguay became a country of emigration in the 1960s due to an economic, social, and political crisis. Military dictatorship in the 1970s also caused growing numbers of Uruguayans to leave the country.
According to the 2016 census, 8,995 people in Australia were born in Uruguay. The median age of Uruguayans in Australia is 58 years.
Uruguayan Australians are well integrated into Australian society. The community has an above-average citizenship rate of 88%, and 80% of the community speaks English either very well or satisfactorily.
Uruguayans in Australia have an older population, with 42% aged 60 years and over, and only 2% under the age of 19.
