Area: total:406,752 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 60
land:397,302 sq km
water:9,450 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than California
Land boundaries: total:3,995 km
border countries:Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,365 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: lowest point:junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m
highest point:Cerro Pero 842 m
Natural resources: hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone
Land use: arable land:9.59%
permanent crops:0.22%
other:90.19% (2011)
Irrigated land: 670 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources: 336 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): 336 cu km (2011) Natural hazards: local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)
Environment - current issues: deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal pose health risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands
Environment - international agreements: 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
Geography - note: landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; population concentrated in southern part of country
People and Society
Nationality: noun: Paraguayan(s)
adjective:Paraguayan
Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%, other 5%
Languages: Spanish (official), Guarani (official)
Religions: Roman Catholic 89.6%, Protestant 6.2%, other Christian 1.1%, other or unspecified 1.9%, none 1.1% (2002 census)
Demographic profile: 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.
Population: 6,703,860 (July 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 105
Age structure: 0-14 years:26.2% (male 892,315/female 861,915)
65 years and over:6.4% (male 206,089/female 235,615) (2014 est.)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio:60.5 %
youth dependency ratio:51.5 %
elderly dependency ratio:8.9 %
potential support ratio:11.2 (2014 est.)
Median age: total:26.8 years
male:26.6 years
female:27 years (2014 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.19% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 100
Birth rate: 16.66 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 118
Death rate: 4.64 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 199
Net migration rate: -0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 114
Urbanization: urban population:61.9% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:2.55% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population: ASUNCION (capital) 2.139 million (2011)
Sex ratio: at birth:1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.01 male(s)/female
25-54 years:1 male(s)/female
55-64 years:1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.87 male(s)/female
total population:1.01 male(s)/female (2014 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 22.9
Maternal mortality rate: 99 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
Infant mortality rate: total:20.75 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 86
male:24.39 deaths/1,000 live births
female:16.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population:76.8 yearscountry comparison to the world: 72
male:74.16 years
female:79.56 years (2014 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.96 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 131
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 79.4%
Health expenditures: 9.7% of GDP (2011)
Physicians density: 1.11 physicians/1,000 population (2002)
Hospital bed density: 1.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Drinking water source: improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 83.4% of population
total: 93.8% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 16.6% of population
total: 6.2% of population (2012 est.)
Sanitation facility access: improved:
urban: 96.1% of population
rural: 52.5% of population
total: 79.7% of population
unimproved:
urban: 3.9% of population
rural: 47.5% of population
total: 20.3% of population (2012 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 86
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 13,100 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 96
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 300 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 104
Major infectious diseases:
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 17.9% (2008)country comparison to the world: 110
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 3.4% (2005)country comparison to the world: 104
Education expenditures: 4.8% of GDP (2011)country comparison to the world: 84 Literacy: definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:93.9%
male:94.8%
female:92.9% (2010 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total:13 years
male:12 years
female:13 years (2011)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total:11.2%country comparison to the world: 104
male:9%
female:14.6% (2012)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay
conventional short form:Paraguay
local long form:Republica del Paraguay
local short form:Paraguay
Government type: constitutional republic
Capital: 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 fourth Sunday in March
Administrative divisions: 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
Independence: 14 May 1811 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 14 May 1811 (observed 15 May)
Constitution: several previous; latest approved and promulgated 20 June 1992; amended 2011 (2011)
Legal system: civil law system with influences from Argentine, Spanish, Roman, and French civil law models; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory until the age of 75
Executive branch: chief of state:President Horacio CARTES (since 15 August 2013); Vice President Juan AFARA Maciel (since 15 August 2013); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government:President Horacio CARTES (since 15 August 2013); Vice President Juan AFARA Maciel (since 15 August 2013)
cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections:president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held on 21 April 2013 (next to be held in April 2018)
election results:Horacio CARTES elected president; percent of vote - Horacio CARTES 45.8%, Efrain ALEGRE 36.94%, Mario FERREIRO 5.88%, Anibal CARRILLO 3.32%, other 8.06%
Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (80 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections:Chamber of Senators - last held on 21 April 2013 (next to be held in April 2018); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 21 April 2013 (next to be held in April 2018)
election results:Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ANR 19, PLRA 12, FG 5, PDP 3, Avanza Pais 2, UNACE 2, PEN 1, PPQ 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ANR 44, PLRA 27, Avanza Pais 2, PEN 2, UNACE 2, FG 1, PPQ 1, other 1
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 appointed until mandatory retirement at age 75
subordinate courts:appellate courts; first instance courts; minor courts, including justices of the peace
Political parties and leaders: Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR [Lilian SAMANIEGO]
Avanza Pais coalition [Adolfo FERREIRO]
Broad Front coalition (Frente Guasu) or FG [Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez]
Movimiento Union Nacional de Ciudadanos Eticos or UNACE [Jorge OVIEDO MATTO]
Patria Querida (Beloved Fatherland Party) or PPQ [Sebastian ACHA]
Partido del Movimiento al Socialismo or P-MAS [Camilo Ernesto SOARES Machado]
Partido Democratica Progresista or PDP [Desiree MASI]
Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN [Fernando CAMACHO Paredes]
Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA [Miguel ABDON SAGUIER]
Partido Pais Solidario or PPS [Carlos Alberto FILIZZOLA Pallares]
Partido Popular Tekojoja [Sixto PEREIRA]
Political pressure groups and leaders: Ahorristas Estafados or AE
International organization participation: CAN (associate), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, 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
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission:Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Francisco BARREIRO (since 31 October 2013)
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
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy:1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion
mailing address:Unit 4711, DPO AA 34036-0001
telephone:[595] (21) 213-715
FAX:[595] (21) 213-728
Flag description: 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
National symbol(s): lion
National anthem: 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; the anthem was officially adopted following its re-arrangement in 1934
Economy
Economy - overview:
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 stagnated at 1980 levels. The economy grew rapidly between 2003 and 2008 as growing world demand for commodities combined with high prices and favorable weather to support Paraguay's commodity-based export expansion. Paraguay is the sixth 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. The government reacted by introducing fiscal and monetary stimulus packages. Growth resumed at a 13% level in 2010, the highest in South America, but slowed in 2011-12 as the stimulus subsided and severe drought and outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease led to a drop in beef and other agricultural exports. The economy took another leap in 2013, largely due to strong export growth. Political uncertainty, corruption, limited progress on structural reform, and deficient infrastructure are the main obstacles to long-term growth.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$45.9 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
$40.98 billion (2012 est.)
$41.49 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$30.56 billion (2013 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
12% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
-1.2% (2012 est.)
4.3% (2011 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$6,800 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
$6,100 (2012 est.)
$6,300 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption:67.1%
government consumption:12.8%
investment in fixed capital:16.9%
investment in inventories:0.4%
exports of goods and services:52.1%
imports of goods and services:-49.4%
(2013 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture:20.4%
Brazil 24.2%, China 19.5%, Argentina 18.3%, US 11.5% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$6.336 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
$4.994 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Debt - external:
$7.013 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
$5.985 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$4.526 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
$4.145 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$213.6 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
$213.6 million (31 December 2012 est.)
Exchange rates:
guarani (PYG) per US dollar -
4,315.1 (2013 est.)
4,424.9 (2012 est.)
4,735.5 (2010 est.)
4,965.4 (2009)
4,337.7 (2008)
Energy
Electricity - production:
53.53 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world:50
Electricity - consumption:
6.778 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Electricity - exports:
46.12 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
8.816 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
0.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
99.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Crude oil - production:
2,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
26,820 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Refined petroleum products - imports:
31,290 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
3.987 million Mt (2011 est.)
Communications
Telephones - main lines in use:
376,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world:107
Telephones - mobile cellular:
6.79 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 95
Telephone system:
general assessment:the fixed-line market is a state monopoly and fixed-line telephone service is meager; principal switching center is in Asuncion
domestic:deficiencies in provision of fixed-line service have resulted in a rapid expansion of mobile-cellular services fostered by competition among multiple providers
Ports and terminals river port(s):Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion (Parana)
Military
Military branches Armed Forces Command (Commando de las Fuerzas Militares): Army, National Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Marine Corps, Naval Aviation, and Coast Guard), Paraguayan Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Paraguay, FAP), Logistics Command, War Materiel Directorate (2012)
Military service age and obligation 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 (2012)
Manpower available for military service males age 16-49:1,678,335
females age 16-49:1,675,352 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service males age 16-49:1,409,859
females age 16-49:1,433,037 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually male:73,367
female:71,801 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures
1.66% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 54
1.16% of GDP (2011)
1.66% of GDP (2010)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations
Illicit drugs 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
