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Communications

Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

4 (2000)

Internet country code [time series]

.py

Internet users [time series]

20,000 (2000)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 46, FM 27, shortwave 6 (three inactive) (1998)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: 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 - main lines in use) [time series]

290,475 (2001)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

510,000 (2001)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

4 (2001)

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: $1.3 billion expenditures: $2 billion, including capital expenditures of $700 million (1999 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

guarani (PYG)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

PYG

Debt - external [time series]

$3.2 billion (2002 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

57.7 (1998)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$NA

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 to neighboring countries as well as the activities of thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. Because of the importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measures are difficult to obtain. A large percentage of the population derives their living from agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis. The formal economy grew by an average of about 3% annually in 1995-97; but GDP declined slightly in 1998, 1999, and 2000, rose slightly in 2001, only to fall again in 2002. On a per capita basis, real income has stagnated at 1980 levels. Most observers attribute Paraguay's poor economic performance to political uncertainty, corruption, lack of progress on structural reform, substantial internal and external debt, and deficient infrastructure.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

2.637 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports [time series]

39.11 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - production [time series]

44.89 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 99.9% other: 0.1% (2001) nuclear: 0%

Exchange rates [time series]

guarani per US dollar - 5,720.44 (2002), 4,105.92 (2001), 3,486.35 (2000), 3,119.07 (1999), 2,726.49 (1998)

Exports [time series]

$2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, electricity

Exports - partners [time series]

Brazil 25.1%, Argentina 23%, Chile 5.5%, Bermuda 4% (2002)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

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

purchasing power parity - $25.19 billion (2002 est.)

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

agriculture: 27% industry: 27% services: 46% (2001 est.)

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

purchasing power parity - $4,300 (2002 est.)

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

-2.7% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 0.5% highest 10%: 43.8% (1998)

Imports [time series]

$2.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products, electrical machinery

Imports - partners [time series]

Brazil 32.7%, Argentina 22.7%, US 18.1%, Hong Kong 4.7% (2002)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

0% (2000 est.)

Industries [time series]

sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

10.5% (2002 est.)

Labor force [time series]

2 million (2000 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture 45%

Oil - consumption [time series]

25,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

NA (2001)

Oil - imports [time series]

NA (2001)

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

36% (2001 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

18.2% (2002 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

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

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than California

Climate [time series]

subtropical to temperate; 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 Pero (Cerro Tres Kandu) 842 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal present health risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands

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

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, 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 [time series]

landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; population concentrated in southern part of country

Irrigated land [time series]

670 sq km (1998 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: 5.54% permanent crops: 0.21% other: 94.25% (1998 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]

17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*, Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro

Capital [time series]

Asuncion

Constitution [time series]

promulgated 20 June 1992

Country name [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador John F. KEANE embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion mailing address: Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001 telephone: [595] (21) 213-715 FAX: [595] (21) 213-728

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Leila Teresa RACHID COWLES consulate(s) general: Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York FAX: [1] (202) 234-4508 telephone: [1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962 chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS (since 15 August 2003); Vice President Luis CASTIGLIONI (since 15 August 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS (since 15 August 2003); Vice President Luis CASTIGLIONI (since 15 August 2003); 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 27 April 2003 (next to be held NA April 2008) election results: Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS elected president; percent of vote - Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS 37.1%, Julio Cesar Ramon FRANCO Gomez 23.9%, Pedro Nicolas Maraa FADUL Niella 21.3%, Guillermo SANCHEZ Guffanti 13.5%, other 4.2%

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]

constitutional republic

Independence [time series]

14 May 1811 (from Spain)

International organization participation [time series]

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

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges appointed on the proposal of the Counsel of Magistrates or 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

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 27 April 2003 (next to be held NA May 2008); Chamber of Deputies - last held 27 April 2003 (next to be held NA May 2008) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Colorado Party 16, PLRA 12, UNACE 7, MPQ 7, PPS 2, PEN 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Colorado Party 37, PLRA 21, UNACE 10, MPQ 10, PPS 2

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 14 May (1811)

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

Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR [Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS]; Movimiento Patria Querida or MPQ [Pedro Nicolas Maraa FADUL Niella]; Movimiento Union Nacional de Colorados Eticos or UNACE [Lino Cesar OVIEDO Silva]; Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN [Diego ABENTE Brun]; Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA [Julio Cesar FRANCO]; Partido Pais Solidario or PPS [Carlos Alberto FILIZZOLA Pallares]

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

Ahorristas Estafados or AE; National Workers Central or CNT; Paraguayan Workers Confederation or CPT; Roman Catholic Church; Unitary Workers Central or CUT

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 75

Introduction

Background [time series]

In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70), Paraguay lost two-thirds of all adult males and much of its territory. It stagnated economically for the next half century. In the Chaco War of 1932-35, large, economically important areas were won from Bolivia. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER was overthrown in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in political infighting in recent years, relatively free and regular presidential elections have been held since then.

Military

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

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

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$125 million (FY98)

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

1.4% (FY98)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,465,781 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,056,437 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

17 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 61,706 (2003 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 38.4% (male 1,179,084; female 1,141,420) 15-64 years: 56.8% (male 1,721,867; female 1,707,918) 65 years and over: 4.7% (male 132,145; female 154,466) (2003 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

30.14 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Death rate [time series]

4.64 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.11% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

220 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

3,000 (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 27.71 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 32.63 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages [time series]

Spanish (official), Guarani (official)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 74.4 years male: 71.89 years female: 77.03 years (2003 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94% male: 94.9% female: 93% (2003 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 20.9 years male: 20.7 years female: 21.2 years (2002)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Paraguayan(s) adjective: Paraguayan

Net migration rate [time series]

-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Population [time series]

6,036,900 (July 2003 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.54% (2003 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite, and other Protestant

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 total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

4.02 children born/woman (2003 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and drug trafficking, and harbors Islamist militants

Illicit drugs [time series]

major illicit producer of cannabis, most or all of which is consumed in South America; transshipment country for Andean cocaine headed for Brazil, other Southern Cone markets, Europe, and US; corruption and some money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area

Transportation

Airports [time series]

879 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 11 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2002)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 868 1,524 to 2,437 m: 27 914 to 1,523 m: 323 under 914 m: 518 (2002)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 29,500 km paved: 14,986 km unpaved: 14,514 km (1999 est)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 32,475 GRT/36,101 DWT ships by type: cargo 14, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 3 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Argentina 2, Japan 1 (2002 est.)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion

Railways [time series]

total: 441 km standard gauge: 441 km 1.435-m gauge (2002)

Waterways [time series]

3,100 km