Uruguay has the highest share of urban residents in Latin America, with 95.9% of its population living in urban areas in 2024, according to the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanisation Prospects .

The UN estimates that nearly all Uruguayans now live in cities and towns, reflecting one of the world's most urbanised societies. The country's population is heavily concentrated around Montevideo, which, together with its surrounding metropolitan area, accounts for more than half of the national population.

Puerto Rico ranks second with 93.7%, followed by Argentina at 92.6%. Venezuela places fourth with 88.5%, narrowly ahead of Chile at 88.1% and Brazil at 88.0%.

Among Latin America's largest economies, urban populations now dominate national demographics.

Brazil, the region's most populous country, has almost nine in ten people living in urban areas. São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Belo Horizonte and Salvador remain among the country's largest metropolitan centres.

Mexico ranks tenth with 81.9%, driven by continued growth around Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. Colombia follows closely with 82.7%, where Bogotá, Medellín, Cali and Barranquilla account for a significant share of the country's population.

The Dominican Republic records 85.0%, while Costa Rica reaches 83.2%, with urban growth concentrated around Santo Domingo and the Greater Metropolitan Area of San José, respectively.

According to the United Nations, Latin America and the Caribbean is one of the world's most urbanised regions, with urbanisation accelerating rapidly throughout the second half of the 20th century as millions of people moved from rural areas to cities in search of employment, education and healthcare.

The UN projects that urbanisation will continue increasing across much of the region over the coming decades, although growth is expected to slow as many countries approach saturation levels where the overwhelming majority of their populations already live in urban areas.

The index, published by the Global Tax Expenditures Lab (GTEL), evaluates how governments disclose tax expenditures, including tax exemptions, deductions, credits and reduced tax rates. These measures represent government revenue forgone through the tax system and are widely used to support economic sectors, investment and social policy .

Indonesia climbed one place from the previous edition to lead the global rankings with 79.9 points, narrowly ahead of the Republic of Korea, which scored 78.3 after slipping from first place.

Australia recorded one of the greatest improvements, rising eight places to third with 76.3, while the Netherlands also climbed eight positions to fourth on 75.5. Canada completed the top five with 72.9, despite dropping two places.

Germany ranked sixth with 72.2, followed by the Russian Federation on 71.3. Benin emerged as Africa's highest-ranked country, placing eighth globally with 71.0, while France and Brazil rounded out the top ten with 68.9 and 68.8, respectively.

Unlike broader tax competitiveness rankings, the GTETI focuses exclusively on transparency. It assesses whether governments publish comprehensive information about tax expenditures, including their legal basis, estimated fiscal cost, policy objectives, beneficiaries and regular evaluations.

The index examines five key dimensions: institutional frameworks, the quality and scope of reporting, accessibility of information, oversight and accountability, and the use of evaluations to determine whether tax incentives achieve their intended goals.

According to the Global Tax Expenditures Lab, transparent reporting allows governments, legislators and the public to better understand the true cost of tax incentives and whether they deliver value for money.

Tax expenditures can amount to several percentage points of a country's gross domestic product and often rival direct government spending in size. Yet many governments still provide limited public information on these measures.

The GTETI argues that stronger reporting improves fiscal accountability, supports evidence-based policymaking and helps governments assess whether tax incentives remain justified over time.

At least 27 people were killed after a fire tore through the packed Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao bar and restaurant in northern Bangkok late on Sunday, leaving dozens more injured.

Footage captured on Monday showed the scale of the destruction, with overturned furniture, abandoned shoes and burnt wreckage scattered around the venue.

The entrance was blackened by the blaze, while shattered windows and damaged musical instruments remained inside as police secured the area and gathered evidence.

The fire broke out shortly before midnight local time in Bangkok's Chatuchak district. Firefighters brought the blaze under control about 30 minutes later.

Authorities said the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

A police inspector confirmed that officers were continuing to collect evidence and interview witnesses, adding that further details would be released once the investigation progresses.

Officials said nine men and 18 women were among those killed.

Sixty-three people were taken to hospital, including 22 who remain in critical condition.

Most of those who died were found inside the venue's toilets, where they are believed to have sought shelter as the flames spread.