History of the Jews in Uruguay

The history of the Jews in Uruguay goes back to colonial times. In the 1700s, Jews escaping from the Inquisition arrived in the Banda Oriental, territory of present-day Uruguay. However, the most important influx of Jews to Uruguay occurred during the end of the 19th century and to a greater extent during the first half of the 20th century, especially during World War I and II.

With an estimated 16,600–22,000 Jews, according to the American Jewish Year Book 2019, Uruguay is home to the fifth-largest Jewish community in Latin America, but the largest in terms of proportion relative to its total population. The country's community is mainly composed of Ashkenazim and includes Holocaust survivors and descendants.