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Communications

Broadband - fixed subscriptions [time series]

total: 320,700 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2018 est.)

Broadcast media [time series]

6 privately owned TV stations; about 75 commercial and community radio stations; 1 state-owned radio network (2019)

Internet country code [time series]

.py

Internet users [time series]

total: 4,566,043 | percent of population: 64.99% (July 2018 est.)

Telecommunication systems [time series]

general assessment: the fixed-line market is a state monopoly and fixed-line telephone service is meager; principal switching center is in Asuncion; DSL, cable modem, FttP (fiber to the home) and WiMAX technologies available; competition in mobile market among 4 operators; 18 mobile phones for every fixed-line service phone; mobile and Internet market operators bring new investment and working towards LTE (2020) | domestic: deficiencies in provision of fixed-line service have resulted in a rapid expansion of mobile-cellular services fostered by competition among multiple providers; Internet market also open to competition; fixed-line 4 per 100 and mobile-cellular 107 per 100 (2019) | international: country code - 595; Paraguay's landlocked position means they must depend on neighbors for interconnection with submarine cable networks, making it cost more for broadband services; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019) | note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 309,221 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4.35 (2019 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total subscriptions: 7,602,566 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 106.95 (2019 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: 5.524 billion (2017 est.) | expenditures: 5.968 billion (2017 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-1.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Credit ratings [time series]

Fitch rating: BB+ (2018) | Moody's rating: Ba1 (2015) | Standard & Poors rating: BB (2014)

Current account balance [time series]

-$298 million (2017 est.) | $416 million (2016 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$17.7 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $16.48 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Ease of Doing Business Index scores [time series]

76.0 (2020)

Economic overview [time series]

Landlocked Paraguay has a market economy distinguished by a large informal sector, featuring re-export of imported consumer goods to neighboring countries, as well as the activities of thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. A large percentage of the population, especially in rural areas, derives its living from agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis. Because of the importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measures are difficult to obtain. On a per capita basis, real income has grown steadily over the past five years as strong world demand for commodities, combined with high prices and favorable weather, supported Paraguay's commodity-based export expansion. Paraguay is the fifth largest soy producer in the world. Drought hit in 2008, reducing agricultural exports and slowing the economy even before the onset of the global recession. The economy fell 3.8% in 2009, as lower world demand and commodity prices caused exports to contract. Severe drought and outbreaks of hoof-and-mouth disease in 2012 led to a brief drop in beef and other agricultural exports. Since 2014, however, Paraguay’s economy has grown at a 4% average annual rate due to strong production and high global prices, at a time when other countries in the region have contracted. The Paraguayan Government recognizes the need to diversify its economy and has taken steps in recent years to do so. In addition to looking for new commodity markets in the Middle East and Europe, Paraguayan officials have promoted the country’s low labor costs, cheap energy from its massive Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam, and single-digit tax rate on foreign firms. As a result, the number of factories operating in the country – mostly transplants from Brazil - has tripled since 2014. Corruption, limited progress on structural reform, and deficient infrastructure are the main obstacles to long-term growth. Judicial corruption is endemic and is seen as the greatest barrier to attracting more foreign investment. Paraguay has been adverse to public debt throughout its history, but has recently sought to finance infrastructure improvements to attract foreign investment.

Exchange rates [time series]

guarani (PYG) per US dollar - | 7,045 (2020 est.) | 6,426 (2019 est.) | 5,915.4 (2018 est.) | 5,160.4 (2014 est.) | 4,462.2 (2013 est.)

Exports [time series]

$11.73 billion (2017 est.) | $10.86 billion (2016 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

soybeans, livestock feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, wood, leather, gold

Exports - partners [time series]

Brazil 31.9%, Argentina 15.9%, Chile 6.9%, Russia 5.9% (2017)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$38.94 billion (2017 est.)

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

$88.91 billion (2017 est.) | $84.87 billion (2016 est.) | $81.36 billion (2015 est.) | note: data are in 2017 dollars

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 66.7% (2017 est.) | government consumption: 11.3% (2017 est.) | investment in fixed capital: 17.3% (2017 est.) | investment in inventories: 0.3% (2017 est.) | exports of goods and services: 46.6% (2017 est.) | imports of goods and services: -42.2% (2017 est.)

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

agriculture: 17.9% (2017 est.) | industry: 27.7% (2017 est.) | services: 54.5% (2017 est.)

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

$12,800 (2017 est.) | $12,400 (2016 est.) | $12,000 (2015 est.) | note: data are in 2017 dollars

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

4.8% (2017 est.) | 4.3% (2016 est.) | 3.1% (2015 est.)

Gross national saving [time series]

18.6% of GDP (2017 est.) | 20.9% of GDP (2016 est.) | 20% of GDP (2015 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 1.5% | highest 10%: 37.6% (2013 est.)

Imports [time series]

$11.35 billion (2017 est.) | $9.617 billion (2016 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products, electrical machinery, tractors, chemicals, vehicle parts

Imports - partners [time series]

China 31.3%, Brazil 23.4%, Argentina 12.9%, US 7.4% (2017)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

2% (2017 est.)

Industries [time series]

sugar processing, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel, base metals, electric power

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

3.6% (2017 est.) | 4.1% (2016 est.)

Labor force [time series]

3.428 million (2017 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 26.5% | industry: 18.5% | services: 55% (2008)

Population below poverty line [time series]

22.2% (2015 est.)

Public debt [time series]

19.5% of GDP (2017 est.) | 18.9% of GDP (2016 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$7.877 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $6.881 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

14.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

5.7% (2017 est.) | 6% (2016 est.)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

7.74 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity - consumption [time series]

10.9 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports [time series]

41.13 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

99% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

1% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

8.87 million kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

63.13 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access [time series]

electrification - total population: 100% (2020)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

43,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

40,760 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 406,752 sq km | land: 397,302 sq km | water: 9,450 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

about three times the size of New York state; slightly smaller than California | Area comparison map: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × South America :: Paraguay Print Image Description about three times the size of New York state; 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 [time series]

mean elevation: 178 m | lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m | highest point: Cerro Pero 842 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

deforestation; water pollution; rivers suffer from toxic dumping; tanneries release mercury and chromium into rivers and streams; loss of wetlands; inadequate means for waste disposal pose health risks for many urban residents

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: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates [time series]

23 00 S, 58 00 W

Geography - note [time series]

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

Irrigated land [time series]

1,362 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 4,655 km | border countries (3): Argentina 2531 km, Bolivia 753 km, Brazil 1371 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 53.8% (2011 est.) | arable land: 10.8% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 0.2% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 42.8% (2011 est.) | forest: 43.8% (2011 est.) | other: 2.4% (2011 est.)

Location [time series]

Central South America, northeast of Argentina, southwest of Brazil

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

Population distribution [time series]

most of the population resides in the eastern half of the country; to the west lies the Gran Chaco (a semi-arid lowland plain), which accounts for 60% of the land territory, but only 2% of the overall population

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]

name: Asuncion | geographic coordinates: 25 16 S, 57 40 W | time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) | daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends last Sunday in March | etymology: the name means "assumption" and derives from the original name given to the city at its founding in 1537, Nuestra Senora Santa Maria de la Asuncion (Our Lady Saint Mary of the Assumption)

Citizenship [time series]

citizenship by birth: yes | citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a native-born citizen of Paraguay | dual citizenship recognized: yes | residency requirement for naturalization: 3 years

Constitution [time series]

history: several previous; latest approved and promulgated 20 June 1992 | amendments: proposed at the initiative of at least one quarter of either chamber of the National Congress, by the president of the republic, or by petition of at least 30,000 voters; passage requires absolute majority vote by both chambers and approval in a referendum; amended 2011, 2014; note - in April 2017, a proposed amendment to extend presidential term limits was defeated by the lower house of the National Congress

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay | conventional short form: Paraguay | local long form: Republica del Paraguay | local short form: Paraguay | etymology: the precise meaning of the name Paraguay is unclear, but it seems to derive from the river of the same name; one explanation has the name meaning "water of the Payagua" (an indigenous tribe that lived along the river)

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Lee MCCLENNY (since 20 February 2018) | telephone: [595] (21) 213-715 | embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion | mailing address: Unit 4711, DPO AA 34036-0001 | FAX: [595] (21) 213-728

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Manuel Maria CACERES (since 11 January 2019) | chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 | telephone: [1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962 | FAX: [1] (202) 234-4508 | consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, Miami, New York

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Mario Abdo BENITEZ (since 15 August 2018); Vice President Hugo Adalberto VELAZQUEZ Moreno (since 15 August 2018); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government | head of government: President Mario Abdo BENITEZ (since 15 August 2018); Vice President Hugo Adalberto VELAZQUEZ Moreno (since 15 August 2018) | cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president | elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by simple majority popular vote for a single 5-year term; election last held on 22 April 2018 (next to be held in April 2023) | election results: Mario Abdo BENITEZ elected president; percent of vote - Mario Abdo BENITEZ (ANR) 46.4%, Efrain ALEGRE (PLRA) 42.7%, Juan Bautista YBANEZ 3.3%, other 7.6%

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 a circular seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the words PAZ Y JUSTICIA (Peace and Justice)); red symbolizes bravery and patriotism, white represents integrity and peace, and blue denotes liberty and generosity | note: the three color bands resemble those on the flag of the Netherlands; one of only three national flags that differ on their obverse and reverse sides - the others are Moldova and Saudi Arabia

Government type [time series]

presidential republic

Independence [time series]

14-15 May 1811 (from Spain); note - the uprising against Spanish authorities took place during the night of 14-15 May 1811 and both days are celebrated in Paraguay

International law organization participation [time series]

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

CAN (associate), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

highest courts: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of 9 justices divided 3 each into the Constitutional Court, Civil and Commercial Chamber, and Criminal Division) | judge selection and term of office: justices proposed by the Council of Magistrates or Consejo de la Magistratura, a 6-member independent body, and appointed by the Chamber of Senators with presidential concurrence; judges can serve until mandatory retirement at age 75 | subordinate courts: appellate courts; first instance courts; minor courts, including justices of the peace

Legal system [time series]

civil law system with influences from Argentine, Spanish, Roman, and French civil law models; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice

Legislative branch [time series]

description: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of: Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms) Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (80 seats; members directly elected in 18 multi-seat constituencies - corresponding to the country's 17 departments and capital city - by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms) | elections: Chamber of Senators - last held on 22 April 2018 (next to be held in April 2023) Chamber of Deputies - last held on 22 April 2018 (next to be held in April 2023) | election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party/coalition - ANR 32.52%, PLRA 24.18%, FG 11.83%, PPQ 6.77%, MH 4.47%, PDP 3.66%, MCN 2.48%, UNACE 2.12%, other 11.97%; seats by party/coalition - ANR 17, PLRA 13, FG 6, PPQ 3, MH 2, PDP 2, MCN 1, UNACE 1; composition - men 36, women 9, percent of women 20% Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party/coalition - ANR 39.1%, PLRA 17.74%, Ganar Alliance 12.08%, PPQ 4.46%, MH 3.19%; other 23.43%; seats by party/coalition - ANR 42, PLRA 17, Ganar Alliance 13, PPQ 3, MH 2, other 3; composition - men 66, women 14, percent of women 17.5%; note - total National Congress percent of women 18.4%

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Paraguayos, Republica o muerte!" (Paraguayans, The Republic or Death!) | lyrics/music: Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/disputed | note: adopted 1934, in use since 1846; officially adopted following its re-arrangement in 1934

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 14-15 May (1811) (observed 15 May); 14 May is celebrated as Flag Day

National symbol(s) [time series]

lion; national colors: red, white, blue

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

Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR [Pedro ALLIANA] Avanza Pais coalition or AP [Adolfo FERREIRO] Broad Front coalition (Frente Guasu) or FG [Esperanza MARTINEZ] Ganar Alliance (alliance between PLRA and Guasu Front) Movimiento Cruzada Nacional or MCN Movimiento Hagamos or MH [Antonio "Tony" APURIL] Movimiento Union Nacional de Ciudadanos Eticos or UNACE [Jorge OVIEDO MATTO] Partido del Movimiento al Socialismo or P-MAS [Camilo Ernesto SOARES Machado] Partido Democratica Progresista or PDP [Rafael FILIZZOLA] Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN [Hermann RATZLAFFIN Klippemstein] Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA [Efrain ALEGRE] Partido Pais Solidario or PPS [Carlos Alberto FILIZZOLA Pallares] Partido Popular Tekojoja or PPT [Sixto PEREIRA Galeano] Patria Querida (Beloved Fatherland Party) or PPQ [Miguel CARRIZOSA]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal and compulsory until the age of 75

Introduction

Background [time series]

Paraguay achieved its independence from Spain in 1811. In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70) - between Paraguay and Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay - Paraguay lost two-thirds of its adult males and much of its territory. The country stagnated economically for the next half century. Following the Chaco War of 1932-35 with Bolivia, Paraguay gained a large part of the Chaco lowland region. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER ended in 1989, and Paraguay has held relatively free and regular presidential elections since the country's return to democracy.

Military and Security

Military and security forces [time series]

Armed Forces Command (Commando de las Fuerzas Militares): Army, National Navy (Armada Nacional, includes marines), Paraguayan Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Paraguay, FAP) (2020)

Military and security service personnel strengths [time series]

the Armed Forces of Paraguay have approximately 14,000 active personnel (8,500 Army; 3,000 Navy; 2,500 Air Force) (2019 est.)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions [time series]

the Paraguayan military forces inventory is comprised of mostly older equipment from a variety of foreign suppliers, particularly Brazil and the US; since 2010, Paraguay has acquired limited quantities of mostly second-hand military equipment from Argentina, Brazil, Israel, Spain, Taiwan, and the US (2019 est.)

Military expenditures [time series]

1% of GDP (2019) | 0.9% of GDP (2018) | 0.9% of GDP (2017) | 1% of GDP (2016) | 1.1% of GDP (2015)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation is 12 months for Army, 24 months for Navy; volunteers for the Air Force must be younger than 22 years of age with a secondary school diploma (2016)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 23.41% (male 857,303/female 826,470) | 15-24 years: 17.71% (male 640,400/female 633,525) | 25-54 years: 42.63% (male 1,532,692/female 1,532,851) | 55-64 years: 8.37% (male 306,100/female 295,890) | 65 years and over: 7.88% (male 267,351/female 299,103) (2020 est.) | population pyramid: The World Factbook Field Image Modal × South America :: Paraguay Print Image Description This is the population pyramid for Paraguay. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.

Birth rate [time series]

16.6 births/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

1.3% (2016)

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

68.4% (2016)

Current health expenditure (Current Health Expenditure) [time series]

6.7% (2017)

Death rate [time series]

4.9 deaths/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Demographic profile [time series]

Paraguay falls below the Latin American average in several socioeconomic categories, including immunization rates, potable water, sanitation, and secondary school enrollment, and has greater rates of income inequality and child and maternal mortality. Paraguay's poverty rate has declined in recent years but remains high, especially in rural areas, with more than a third of the population below the poverty line. However, the well-being of the poor in many regions has improved in terms of housing quality and access to clean water, telephone service, and electricity. The fertility rate continues to drop, declining sharply from an average 4.3 births per woman in the late 1990s to about 2 in 2013, as a result of the greater educational attainment of women, increased use of contraception, and a desire for smaller families among young women. Paraguay is a country of emigration; it has not attracted large numbers of immigrants because of political instability, civil wars, years of dictatorship, and the greater appeal of neighboring countries. Paraguay first tried to encourage immigration in 1870 in order to rebound from the heavy death toll it suffered during the War of the Triple Alliance, but it received few European and Middle Eastern immigrants. In the 20th century, limited numbers of immigrants arrived from Lebanon, Japan, South Korea, and China, as well as Mennonites from Canada, Russia, and Mexico. Large flows of Brazilian immigrants have been arriving since the 1960s, mainly to work in agriculture. Paraguayans continue to emigrate to Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, the United States, Italy, Spain, and France.

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 55.5 | youth dependency ratio: 49.9 | elderly dependency ratio: 10.6 | potential support ratio: 9.4 (2020 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

3.4% of GDP (2016)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%, other 5%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.4% (2019 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

<1000 (2019 est.)

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

22,000 (2019 est.)

Hospital bed density [time series]

0.8 beds/1,000 population (2016)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 16.9 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 20 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 13.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2020 est.)

Languages [time series]

Spanish (official) and Guarani (official) 46.3%, only Guarani 34%, only Spanish 15.2%, other (includes Portuguese, German, other indigenous languages) 4.1% , no response .4% (2012 est.) | note: data represent predominant household language

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 77.9 years | male: 75.2 years | female: 80.7 years (2020 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 94% | male: 94.5% | female: 93.5% (2018)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: intermediate (2020) | food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever | vectorborne diseases: dengue fever

Major urban areas - population [time series]

3.337 million ASUNCION (capital) (2020)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

84 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 29.7 years | male: 29.5 years | female: 29.9 years (2020 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]

22.9 years (2008 est.) | note: median age at first birth among women 25-29

Nationality [time series]

noun: Paraguayan(s) | adjective: Paraguayan

Net migration rate [time series]

-0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

20.3% (2016)

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

1.37 physicians/1,000 population (2018)

Population [time series]

7,191,685 (July 2020 est.)

Population distribution [time series]

Population growth rate [time series]

1.16% (2020 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 89.6%, Protestant 6.2%, other Christian 1.1%, other or unspecified 1.9%, none 1.1% (2002 census)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 12 years | male: 12 years | female: 13 years (2010)

Sex ratio [time series]

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.89 children born/woman (2020 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 14.5% | male: 11.8% | female: 18.7% (2018 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 62.2% of total population (2020) | rate of urbanization: 1.71% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.) | total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030: PDF

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for violent extremist organizations

Illicit drugs [time series]

major illicit producer of cannabis, most or all of which is consumed in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile; transshipment country for Andean cocaine headed for Brazil, other Southern Cone markets, and Europe; weak border controls, extensive corruption and money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area; weak anti-money-laundering laws and enforcement

Transportation

Airports [time series]

799 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 15 (2017) | over 3,047 m: 3 (2017) | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 (2017) | 914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 784 (2013) | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 (2013) | 914 to 1,523 m: 290 (2013) | under 914 m: 471 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]

ZP (2016)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 106 | by type: bulk carrier 3, general cargo 24, oil tanker 5, other 74 (2019) | note: as of 2017, Paraguay registered 2,012 fluvial vessels of which 1,741 were commercial barges

National air transport system [time series]

number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020) | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 8 | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 560,631 (2018) | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1.97 million mt-km (2018)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

river port(s): Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion (Parana)

Railways [time series]

total: 30 km (2014) | standard gauge: 30 km 1.435-m gauge (2014)

Roadways [time series]

total: 74,676 km (2017) | paved: 6,167 km (2017) | unpaved: 68,509 km (2017)

Waterways [time series]

3,100 km (primarily on the Paraguay and Paraná River systems) (2012)