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Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture-products) [time series]

cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber

Budget [time series]

revenues: $1.25 billion expenditures: $1.66 billion, including capital expenditures of $357 million (1995 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 guarani (G) = 100 centimos

Debt - external (Debt-external) [time series]

$1.3 billion (1996)

Economic aid [time series]

recipient: ODA, $38 million (1993)

Economic overview (Economy-overview) [time series]

Paraguay has a market economy marked by a large informal sector. The informal sector features both reexport of imported consumer goods (electronics, whiskeys, perfumes, cigarettes, and office equipment) to neighboring countries as well as the activities of thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. The formal sector is largely oriented toward services. A large percentage of the population derive their living from agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis. The formal economy has grown an average of about 3% over the past five years. However, population has increased at about the same rate over the same period, leaving per capita income nearly stagnant. The WASMOSY government has continued to pursue its economic reform agenda, albeit with limited success because of in-fighting in the ruling party and resistance from the opposition. Paraguay's ongoing integration into Mercosur (the Southern Cone Common Market) offers potential for investment and growth.

Electricity - capacity (Electricity-capacity) [time series]

6.533 million kW (1995)

Electricity - consumption per capita (Electricity-consumption per capita) [time series]

577 kWh (1995)

Electricity - production (Electricity-production) [time series]

40.05 billion kWh (1995) note: exported about 36.96 billion kWh of electricity to Brazil

Exchange rates [time series]

guaranies (G) per US$-2,528.8 (January 1998), 2,191.0 (1997), 2,062.8 (1996), 1,970.4 (1995), 1,911.5 (1994), 1,744.3 (1993)

Exports [time series]

total value: $1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.) commodities: cotton, soybeans, timber, vegetable oils, meat products, coffee, tung oil partners: Brazil 48%, Netherlands 22%, Argentina 9%, US 4%, Uruguay 3%, Chile 2% (1997)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year Communications

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity-$21.9 billion (1997 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP-composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 26.4% industry: 24.9% services: 48.7% (1995)

Real GDP per capita (GDP-per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity-$3,900 (1997 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP-real growth rate) [time series]

2.6% (1997 est.)

Imports [time series]

total value: $2.5 billion (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: capital goods, consumer goods, foodstuffs, raw materials, fuels partners: Brazil 29%, US 22%, Argentina 14%, Hong Kong 9% (1995)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

5.1% (1995)

Industries [time series]

meat packing, oilseed crushing, milling, brewing, textiles, other light consumer goods, cement, construction

Inflation rate (consumer prices) (Inflation rate-consumer price index) [time series]

6.2% (1997)

Labor force [time series]

total: 1.8 million (1995 est.) by occupation: agriculture 45%

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 40, FM 0, shortwave 7

Radios [time series]

775,000 (1992 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

meager telephone service; principal switching center is Asuncion domestic: fair microwave radio relay network international: satellite earth station-1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

88,730 (1985 est.)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

Televisions [time series]

370,000 (1992 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

8.2% (urban) (1996 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 406,750 sq km land: 397,300 sq km water: 9,450 sq km

Area - comparative (Area-comparative) [time series]

slightly smaller than California

Climate [time series]

subtropical; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west

Coastline [time series]

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m highest point: Cerro San Rafael 850 m

Environment - current issues (Environment-current issues) [time series]

deforestation (an estimated 2 million hectares of forest land have been lost from 1958-85); water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal present health risks for many urban residents

International environmental agreements (Environment-international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban

Geographic coordinates [time series]

23 00 S, 58 00 W

Geography - note (Geography-note) [time series]

landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil

Irrigated land [time series]

670 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 3,920 km border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,290 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 6% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 55% forests and woodland: 32% other: 7% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

Central South America, northeast of Argentina

Map references [time series]

South America

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)

Natural resources [time series]

hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone

Terrain [time series]

grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Chaco region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the river, and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

18 departments (departamentos, singular-departamento); Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion, Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro

Constitution [time series]

promulgated 20 June 1992

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay conventional short form: Paraguay local long form: Republica del Paraguay local short form: Paraguay

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Maura A. HARTY embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion mailing address: Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001 telephone: [595] (21) 213-715

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Jorge G. Andres PRIETO CONTI chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Juan Carlos WASMOSY (since 15 August 1993) and Vice President Roberto Angel SEIFART (since 15 August 1993); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Juan Carlos WASMOSY (since 15 August 1993) and Vice President Roberto Angel SEIFART (since 15 August 1993); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 9 May 1993 (next to be held 10 May 1998) election results: Juan Carlos WASMOSY elected president; percent of vote-Juan Carlos WASMOSY 40.09%, Domingo LAINO 32.06%, Guillermo CABALLERO VARGAS 23.04%

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[1] (202) 234-4508 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[595] (21) 213-728

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears the seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles)

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

14 May 1811 (from Spain)

International organization participation [time series]

AG (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia), judges appointed on the proposal of the Counsel of Magistrates (Consejo de la Magistratura)

Legal system [time series]

based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (80 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Senators-last held 9 May 1993 (next to be held 10 May 1998); Chamber of Deputies-last held 9 May 1993 (next to be held 10 May 1998) election results: Chamber of Senators-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party - Colorado Party 20, PLRA 17, EN 8; Chamber of Deputies-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-Colorado Party 38, PLRA 33, EN 9

Capital (National capital) [time series]

Asuncion

National holiday [time series]

Independence Days, 14-15 May (1811)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Colorado Party, Luis Maria ARGANA, president; Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA), Domingo LAINO; National Encounter (EN), Carlos FILIZZOLA; Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Miguel MONTANER; Febrerista Revolutionary Party (PRF), Victor SANCHEZ Villagra; Popular Democratic Party (PDP), Hugo Richer

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Unitary Workers Central (CUT); Roman Catholic Church; National Workers Central (CNT); Paraguayan Workers Confederation (CPT)

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 60

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Army, Navy (includes Naval Air and Marines), Air Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure (Military expenditures-dollar figure) [time series]

$94 million (1994)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures-percent of GDP) [time series]

0.6% (1994)

Military manpower - availability (Military manpower-availability) [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,274,297 (1998 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service (Military manpower-fit for military service) [time series]

males: 921,323 (1998 est.)

Military manpower - military age (Military manpower-military age) [time series]

17 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually (Military manpower-reaching military age annually) [time series]

males: 53,514 (1998 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 39% (male 1,061,972; female 1,026,983) 15-64 years: 56% (male 1,483,089; female 1,473,372) 65 years and over: 5% (male 113,298; female 132,306) (July 1998 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

32.21 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Death rate [time series]

5.29 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%, white plus Amerindian 5%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

37.39 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)

Languages [time series]

Spanish (official), Guarani

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 72.23 years male: 70.27 years female: 74.29 years (1998 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.1% male: 93.5% female: 90.6% (1995 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Paraguayan(s) adjective: Paraguayan

Net migration rate [time series]

-0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Population [time series]

5,291,020 (July 1998 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.68% (1998 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite and other Protestant denominations

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female (1998 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

4.26 children born/woman (1998 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international (Disputes-international) [time series]

short section of the boundary with Brazil, just west of Salto del Guaira (Guaira Falls) on the Rio Parana, has not been precisely delimited

Illicit drugs [time series]

illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; transshipment country for Bolivian cocaine headed for Europe and the US PERU

Transportation

Airports [time series]

948 (1997 est.)

Airports - with paved runways (Airports-with paved runways) [time series]

total: 10 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (1997 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways (Airports-with unpaved runways) [time series]

total: 938 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 29 914 to 1,523 m: 353 under 914 m: 555 (1997 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 29,500 km paved: 2,803 km unpaved: 26,697 km (1996 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 26,442 GRT/32,510 DWT ships by type: cargo 14, chemical tanker 1, oil tanker 3, roll-on/roll-off 1 (1997 est.)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion

Railways [time series]

total: 971 km standard gauge: 441 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 60 km 1.000-m gauge other gauge: 470 km various gauges (privately owned)

Waterways [time series]

3,100 km