Paraguay
Republic of Paraguay
South America Asunció
Population
7.60M
Area
406,752 km²
GDP
$44.46B
GDP Per Capita
$16,300
Pop. Density
19/km²
Quick Facts
Currency
₲Paraguayan guaraní(PYG)
Calling Code
+595
Timezone
UTC-04:00
Languages
Guaraní, Spanish
Driving Side
right
Demonym
Paraguayan
Background
Several Indigenous groups, principally belonging to the Guarani language family, inhabited the area of modern Paraguay before the arrival of the Spanish in the early 16th century, when the territory was incorporated into the Viceroyalty of Peru. Paraguay achieved its independence from Spain in 1811 with the help of neighboring states. In the aftermath of independence, a series of military dictators ruled the country until 1870. During the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1864-70) -- fought against 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 and experienced a tumultuous series of political regimes. 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.
Historical Trends
GDP (USD)
↑231.0% since 2006$13B (2006)$44B (2024)
Population
↑25.9% since 20065.5M (2006)6.9M (2024)
Life Expectancy at Birth
Latest: 73.8 years2006: 71.6 years2023: 73.8 years
Data source: World Bank Open Data
Geography20
Location
Central South America, northeast of Argentina, southwest of Brazil
Geographic coordinates
23 00 S, 58 00 W
Map references
South America
Area
total : 406,752 sq km
land: 397,302 sq km
water: 9,450 sq km
land: 397,302 sq km
water: 9,450 sq km
Area - comparative
about three times the size of New York State; slightly smaller than California
Land boundaries
total: 4,655 km
border countries: Argentina 2,531 km; Bolivia 753 km; Brazil 1,371 km
border countries: Argentina 2,531 km; Bolivia 753 km; Brazil 1,371 km
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Climate
subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west
Terrain
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
Elevation
highest point: Cerro Pero 842 m
lowest point: junction of Río Paraguay and Río Paraná 46 m
mean elevation: 178 m
lowest point: junction of Río Paraguay and Río Paraná 46 m
mean elevation: 178 m
Natural resources
hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone
Land use
agricultural land
54.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 11.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 42.4% (2023 est.)
forest
36.9% (2023 est.)
other
7% (2023 est.)
Irrigated land
1,362 sq km (2012)
Major rivers (by length in km)
Río de la Plata/Paraná (shared with Brazil [s], Argentina, and Uruguay [m]) - 4,880 km; Paraguay river mouth (shared with Brazil [s] and Argentina) - 2,549 km
note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Paraná (2,582,704 sq km)
Major aquifers
Guarani Aquifer System
Population distribution
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
Natural hazards
local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)
Geography - note
landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; population concentrated in eastern and southern part of country
People & Society35
Population
total: 7,604,044 (2025 est.)
male: 3,809,407
female: 3,794,637
male: 3,809,407
female: 3,794,637
Nationality
noun: Paraguayan(s)
adjective: Paraguayan
adjective: Paraguayan
Ethnic groups
Mestizo (mixed Spanish and Indigenous ancestry) 95%, other 5%
Languages
Languages: 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 0.4% (2012 est.)
major-language sample(s):
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
major-language sample(s):
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Roman Catholic 80.4%, Protestant 7% (Evangelical (non-specific) 6.7%, Evangelical Pentecostal <0.1%, Adventist <0.1%, Protestant (non-specific) <0.1%), Believer (not belonging to the church) 5.7%, other 0.6%, agnostic <0.1%, none 0.2%, unspecified 6.2% (2023 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 22.2% (male 850,191/female 821,237)
15-64 years: 68.4% (male 2,582,021/female 2,561,962)
65 years and over: 9.4% (2024 est.) (male 337,164/female 369,974)
15-64 years: 68.4% (male 2,582,021/female 2,561,962)
65 years and over: 9.4% (2024 est.) (male 337,164/female 369,974)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 46.7 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 32.4 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 14.3 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio: 7 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 32.4 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 14.3 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio: 7 (2025 est.)
Median age
total: 32.3 years (2025 est.)
male: 31.6 years
female: 32 years
male: 31.6 years
female: 32 years
Population growth rate
1.06% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
15.66 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
4.97 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-0.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
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
Urbanization
urban population: 63.1% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
rate of urbanization: 1.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
3.511 million ASUNCION (capital) (2023)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
22.9 years (2008 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
58 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total: 21.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
male: 26.1 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 17.7 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 26.1 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 17.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 78.8 years (2024 est.)
male: 76.2 years
female: 81.6 years
male: 76.2 years
female: 81.6 years
Total fertility rate
1.88 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.92 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: urban
urban: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: rural
rural: 99.1% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 99.6% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0.4% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP): 8% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 17.4% of national budget (2022 est.)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 17.4% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
3.89 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Hospital bed density
1 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: rural
rural: 94.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 98.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 5.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 1.9% of population (2022 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
20.3% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 5.47 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 3.27 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.59 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 1.59 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 3.27 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.59 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 1.59 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use
total: 9.3% (2025 est.)
male: 15.5% (2025 est.)
female: 3.3% (2025 est.)
male: 15.5% (2025 est.)
female: 3.3% (2025 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
1.3% (2016 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
54.8% (2022 est.)
Child marriage
women married by age 15: 3.6% (2016)
women married by age 18: 21.6% (2016)
women married by age 18: 21.6% (2016)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP): 3.4% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 11.7% national budget (2025 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 11.7% national budget (2025 est.)
Literacy
total population: 94.9% (2024 est.)
male: 95.4% (2024 est.)
female: 94.3% (2024 est.)
male: 95.4% (2024 est.)
female: 94.3% (2024 est.)
Government25
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay
conventional short form: Paraguay
local long form: República del Paraguay
local short form: Paraguay
etymology: derives from the river of the same name; the river's name may come from the Guarani words para (water or river) and guay (born)
conventional short form: Paraguay
local long form: República del Paraguay
local short form: Paraguay
etymology: derives from the river of the same name; the river's name may come from the Guarani words para (water or river) and guay (born)
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Asunción
geographic coordinates: 25 16 S, 57 40 W
time difference: UTC-3 (2 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the name means "assumption" in Spanish; the Spanish founded the city on August 15, 1537, the Catholic feast day for the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
geographic coordinates: 25 16 S, 57 40 W
time difference: UTC-3 (2 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the name means "assumption" in Spanish; the Spanish founded the city on August 15, 1537, the Catholic feast day for the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
Administrative divisions
17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*, Boquerón, Caaguazú, Caazapá, Canindeyú, Central, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guairá, Itapúa, Misiones, Ñeembucú, Paraguarí, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro
Legal system
civil law system with influences from Argentine, Spanish, Roman, and French civil law models; Supreme Court of Justice reviews legislative acts
Constitution
history: several previous; latest approved and promulgated 20 June 1992
amendment process: 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 a two-thirds majority vote by both chambers and approval in a referendum
amendment process: 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 a two-thirds majority vote by both chambers and approval in a referendum
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship
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
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
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal and compulsory until the age of 75
Executive branch
chief of state
President Santiago PEÑA Palacios (since 15 August 2023)
head of government
President Santiago PEÑA Palacios (since 15 August 2023)
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the president
election/appointment process
president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by simple-majority popular vote for a single 5-year term
most recent election date
30 April 2023
election results
2023: Santiago PEÑA Palacios elected president; percent of vote - Santiago PEÑA Palacios (ANR) 43.9%, Efraín ALEGRE (PLRA) 28.3%, Paraguayo "Payo" CUBAS Colomés (PCN) 23.6%, other 4.2%
2018: Mario ABDO BENÍTEZ elected president; percent of vote - Mario ABDO BENÍTEZ (ANR) 49%, Efraín ALEGRE (PLRA) 45.1%, other 5.9%
expected date of next election
April 2028
Legislative branch
legislature name: Congress (Congreso)
legislative structure: bicameral
legislative structure: bicameral
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
Chamber of Deputies (Cámara de Diputados)
number of seats
80 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
scope of elections
full renewal
term in office
5 years
most recent election date
4/30/2023
parties elected and seats per party
National Republican Association/Colorado Party (ANR) (48); Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA) - Alliances (23); National Crusade Party (CN) (4); Other (5)
percentage of women in chamber
23.8%
expected date of next election
April 2028
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate (Cámara de Senadores)
number of seats
45 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
scope of elections
full renewal
term in office
5 years
most recent election date
4/30/2023
parties elected and seats per party
National Republican Association/Colorado Party (ANR) (23); Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA) - Alliances (12); National Crusade Party (CN) (5); Other (5)
percentage of women in chamber
22.2%
expected date of next election
April 2028
Judicial branch
highest court(s): 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
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
Political parties
Asociacion Nacional Republicana (National Republican Association) - Colorado Party or ANR
Avanza Pais coalition or AP
Frente Guasu (Broad Front coalition) or FG
GANAR Alliance (Great Renewed National Alliance) (alliance between PLRA and Guasú Front)
Movimiento Hagamos or MH
Movimiento Union Nacional de Ciudadanos Eticos (National Union of Ethical Citizens) or UNACE
Partido Cruzada Nacional (National Crusade Party) or PCN; note - formerly Movimiento Cruzada Nacional
Partido del Movimiento al Socialismo or P-MAS
Partido Democratica Progresista (Progressive Democratic Party) or PDP
Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN
Partido Liberal Radical Autentico (Authentic Radical Liberal Party) or PLRA
Partido Pais Solidario or PPS
Partido Popular Tekojoja or PPT
Patria Querida (Beloved Fatherland Party) or PPQ
Avanza Pais coalition or AP
Frente Guasu (Broad Front coalition) or FG
GANAR Alliance (Great Renewed National Alliance) (alliance between PLRA and Guasú Front)
Movimiento Hagamos or MH
Movimiento Union Nacional de Ciudadanos Eticos (National Union of Ethical Citizens) or UNACE
Partido Cruzada Nacional (National Crusade Party) or PCN; note - formerly Movimiento Cruzada Nacional
Partido del Movimiento al Socialismo or P-MAS
Partido Democratica Progresista (Progressive Democratic Party) or PDP
Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN
Partido Liberal Radical Autentico (Authentic Radical Liberal Party) or PLRA
Partido Pais Solidario or PPS
Partido Popular Tekojoja or PPT
Patria Querida (Beloved Fatherland Party) or PPQ
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission
Ambassador Gustavo Alfredo LEITE Gusinky (since 5 September 2025)
chancery
2209 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 483-6960
FAX
[1] (202) 234-4508
email address and website
gabineteembaparusa@mre.gov.py
Embajada de la República del Paraguay ante los Estados Unidos de América :: The Embassy (mre.gov.py)
consulate(s) general
Los Angeles, Miami, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Robert ALTER (since July 2025)
embassy
1776 Mariscal Lopez Avenue, Asuncion
mailing address
3020 Asuncion Place, Washington DC 20521-3020
telephone
[595] (21) 248-3000
FAX
[595] (21) 213-728
email address and website
ParaguayACS@state.gov
https://py.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
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, PROSUR, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHRC, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Independence
14-15 May 1811 (from Spain)
National holiday
Independence Day, 14-15 May (1811) (observed 15 May); 14 May is celebrated as Flag Day
Flag
description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue, with an emblem centered on the white band; the emblem on one side of the flag is the national coat of arms, which has a five-pointed yellow star in a green wreath with the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY around it, all inside two circles; the other side of the flag has a circular treasury seal (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the words PAZ Y JUSTICIA)
meaning: red stands for bravery and patriotism, white for integrity and peace, and blue for liberty and generosity
meaning: red stands for bravery and patriotism, white for integrity and peace, and blue for liberty and generosity
National symbol(s)
lion
National color(s)
red, white, blue
National anthem(s)
title: "Paraguayos, Republica o muerte!" (Paraguayans, the Republic or Death!)
lyrics/music: Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/Remberto GIMENEZ
history: adopted 1846 (lyrics) and 1934 (music)
lyrics/music: Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/Remberto GIMENEZ
history: adopted 1846 (lyrics) and 1934 (music)
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue
selected World Heritage Site locales: Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue
Economy32
Economic overview
upper middle-income South American economy; COVID-19 hit while still recovering from 2019 Argentina-driven recession; global hydroelectricity leader; major corruption and money-laundering locale; highly agrarian economy; significant income inequality
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024: $112.919 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $108.316 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $103.159 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $108.316 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $103.159 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2024: 4.2% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 5% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 0.2% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 5% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 0.2% (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2024: $16,300 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $15,800 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $15,300 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $15,800 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $15,300 (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$44.458 billion (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024: 3.8% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 4.6% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 9.8% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 4.6% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 9.8% (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 10.7% (2024 est.)
industry: 32.5% (2024 est.)
services: 48.7% (2024 est.)
industry: 32.5% (2024 est.)
services: 48.7% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
67% (2024 est.)
government consumption
12.6% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
21% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
1.8% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
37.2% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-39.6% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
soybeans, sugarcane, maize, cassava, wheat, rice, milk, beef, oranges, bananas (2023)
Industries
sugar processing, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel, base metals, electric power
Industrial production growth rate
2.2% (2024 est.)
Labor force
3.502 million (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2024: 6.1% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 5.8% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 6.8% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 5.8% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 6.8% (2022 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 14.1% (2024 est.)
male: 11% (2024 est.)
female: 18.8% (2024 est.)
male: 11% (2024 est.)
female: 18.8% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
24.7% (2022 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2023: 44.4 (2023 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food: 29.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 4.2% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 4.2% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 1.8% (2023 est.)
highest 10%: 34.4% (2023 est.)
highest 10%: 34.4% (2023 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2024: 2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Remittances 2023: 1.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022: 1.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023: 1.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022: 1.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Budget
revenues: $7.751 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures: $9.397 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures: $9.397 billion (2023 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2016: 18.9% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
10.1% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2024: -$1.666 billion (2024 est.)
Current account balance 2023: -$176.597 million (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022: -$2.948 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023: -$176.597 million (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022: -$2.948 billion (2022 est.)
Exports
Exports 2024: $17.395 billion (2024 est.)
Exports 2023: $18.581 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2022: $14.971 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023: $18.581 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2022: $14.971 billion (2022 est.)
Exports - partners
Argentina 33%, Brazil 25%, Chile 10%, USA 2%, Uruguay 2% (2023)
Exports - commodities
soybeans, beef, electricity, corn, soybean meal (2023)
Imports
Imports 2024: $18.377 billion (2024 est.)
Imports 2023: $17.848 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022: $17.088 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023: $17.848 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022: $17.088 billion (2022 est.)
Imports - partners
China 33%, Brazil 24%, USA 8%, Argentina 7%, Germany 2% (2023)
Imports - commodities
broadcasting equipment, refined petroleum, fertilizers, cars, pesticides (2023)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $9.886 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $9.519 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021: $9.661 billion (2021 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $9.519 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021: $9.661 billion (2021 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023: $13.783 billion (2023 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
guarani (PYG) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2024
7,560.248 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
7,288.872 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
6,982.752 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
6,774.163 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2020
6,771.097 (2020 est.)
Energy6
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 8.928 million kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 14.835 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 24.202 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 5.209 billion kWh (2023 est.)
consumption: 14.835 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 24.202 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 5.209 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
hydroelectricity: 99.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
consumption: 700 metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 10 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 100 metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 10 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 100 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 2,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 52,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 52,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023: 25.733 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Communications6
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 206,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 8.67 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 127 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 127 (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
6 privately owned TV stations; about 75 commercial and community radio stations; 1 state-owned radio network (2019)
Internet country code
.py
Internet users
percent of population: 78% (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 878,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2023 est.)
Transportation6
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
ZP
Airports
83 (2025)
Heliports
29 (2025)
Railways
total: 30 km (2014)
standard gauge: 30 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge
standard gauge: 30 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge
Merchant marine
total: 108 (2023)
by type: container ship 2, general cargo 22, oil tanker 5, other 79
by type: container ship 2, general cargo 22, oil tanker 5, other 79
Ports
total ports
1 (2024)
large
0
medium
0
small
0
very small
1
ports with oil terminals
0
key ports
Puerto de Asuncion
Military & Security6
Military and security forces
Armed Forces of Paraguay (Fuerzas Armadas de Paraguay; aka Armed Forces of the Nation or Fuerzas Armadas de la Nación): Paraguayan Army (Ejército Paraguayo), Paraguayan Navy (Armada Paraguaya; includes marines), Paraguayan Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya)
Ministry of Internal Affairs: National Police of Paraguay (Policía Nacional del Paraguay, PNP) (2025)
Ministry of Internal Affairs: National Police of Paraguay (Policía Nacional del Paraguay, PNP) (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2024: 0.8% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023: 0.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 0.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 1% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2020: 1% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023: 0.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 0.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 1% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2020: 1% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 15,000 active duty Armed Forces (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military's inventory is comprised of mostly older or obsolescent equipment from a variety of foreign suppliers, particularly Brazil and the US; in recent years, the military has received small quantities of more modern equipment, such as light attack aircraft from Brazil and secondhand helicopters from Taiwan (2025)
Military service age and obligation
18-25 years of age for voluntary service for men and women; all men 18-25 are required to perform military service for at least 12 months (2025)
Military - note
the Paraguayan military is responsible for external defense and has a role in domestic security duties; it provides support for natural disasters and cooperates with the National Police and other internal security organizations in combating the Paraguayan People’s Army (Ejército del Pueblo Paraguayo or EPP) and transnational criminal organizations, largely narcotics traffickers; the EPP is a small, domestic criminal/guerrilla group operating in the rural northern part of the country along the border with Brazil; the activities of the EPP and its offshoots—Marsical López’s Army (EML) and the Armed Peasant Association (ACA)—have consisted largely of isolated attacks on remote police and army posts, or against ranchers and peasants accused of aiding Paraguayan security forces
the Paraguayan military has deployed small numbers of troops on UN peacekeeping missions and cooperates with neighboring countries, such as Argentina and Brazil, on security issues, particularly organized crime and narco-trafficking in what is known as the Tri-Border Area; Paraguay has not fought a war against a neighboring country since the Chaco War with Bolivia in the 1930s (2025)
the Paraguayan military has deployed small numbers of troops on UN peacekeeping missions and cooperates with neighboring countries, such as Argentina and Brazil, on security issues, particularly organized crime and narco-trafficking in what is known as the Tri-Border Area; Paraguay has not fought a war against a neighboring country since the Chaco War with Bolivia in the 1930s (2025)
Transnational Issues1
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees: 7,649 (2024 est.)
IDPs: 141 (2024 est.)
stateless persons: 5 (2024 est.)
IDPs: 141 (2024 est.)
stateless persons: 5 (2024 est.)