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.
Geography
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
comparison ranking: total 61
Area – comparative
about three times the size of New York State; slightly smaller than California
Area comparison map:
Land boundaries
total: 4,655 km
border countries (3): 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
Natural resources
hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone
Land use
agricultural land: 42% (2022 est.)
arable land: 11.5% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 0.2% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 30.3% (2022 est.)
forest: 39.3% (2022 est.)
other: 18.8% (2022 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
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 and Society
Population
total: 7,522,549 (2024 est.)
male: 3,769,376
female: 3,753,173
comparison rankings: total 104; female 104; male 104
Nationality
noun: Paraguayan(s)
adjective: Paraguayan
Ethnic groups
Mestizo (mixed Spanish and Indigenous ancestry) 95%, other 5%
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.
note: data represent predominant household language
Spanish audio sample:
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)
2024 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 46.2 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 32.5 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 13.7 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 7.3 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 31.8 years (2024 est.)
male: 31.6 years
female: 32 years
comparison ranking: total 123
Population growth rate
1.09% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 86
Birth rate
15.9 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 100
Death rate
4.9 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 196
Net migration rate
-0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 95
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.)
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.)
Mother’s mean age at first birth
22.9 years (2008 est.)
note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-29
Maternal mortality ratio
71 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: 87
Infant mortality rate
total: 22 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 26.1 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 17.7 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 70
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 78.8 years (2024 est.)
male: 76.2 years
female: 81.6 years
comparison ranking: total population 73
Total fertility rate
1.88 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 126
Gross reproduction rate
0.92 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
68.4% (2016)
Drinking water source
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
Health expenditure
8% of GDP (2021)
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: 99.6% of population
rural: 90.6% of population
total: 96.2% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0.4% of population
rural: 9.4% of population
total: 3.8% of population (2020 est.)
Obesity – adult prevalence rate
20.3% (2016)
comparison ranking: 100
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.)
comparison ranking: total 79
Tobacco use
total: 9.3% (2025 est.)
male: 15.5% (2025 est.)
female: 3.3% (2025 est.)
comparison ranking: total 132
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
1.3% (2016)
comparison ranking: 107
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
59.4% (2023 est.)
Child marriage
women married by age 15: 3.6% (2016)
women married by age 18: 21.6% (2016)
Education expenditure
3.4% of GDP (2023 est.)
22% national budget (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 134
Literacy
total population: 95% (2020 est.)
male: 95% (2020 est.)
female: 94% (2020 est.)
Environment
Environment – current issues
deforestation; water pollution; toxic dumping in rivers and streams; loss of wetlands; inadequate means for waste disposal in urban areas
Environment – international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban, Tropical Timber 2006
Climate
subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west
Land use
agricultural land: 42% (2022 est.)
arable land: 11.5% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 0.2% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 30.3% (2022 est.)
forest: 39.3% (2022 est.)
other: 18.8% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 63.1% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 12.31 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 7.41 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 27.65 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 1,818,501 tons (2015 est.)
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
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Paraná (2,582,704 sq km)
Major aquifers
Guarani Aquifer System
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 360 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
industrial: 150 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
agricultural: 1.9 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total renewable water resources
387.77 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Government
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)
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
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
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
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
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 30 April 2023 (next to be held in April 2028)
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%
note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
Legislative branch
legislature name: Congress (Congreso)
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
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
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador José Antonio DOS SANTOS BEDOYA (since 15 September 2021)
chancery: 2209 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-6960
FAX: [1] (202) 234-4508
email address and website:
[email protected]
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 Amir P. MASLIYAH (since January 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:
[email protected]
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, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Independence
14-15 May 1811 (from Spain)
note: the uprising against Spanish authorities took place during the night of 14-15 May 1811, so both days are celebrated in Paraguay
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 in the white band; the emblem is different on each side; one side (hoist side at the left) has the national coat of arms (a five-pointed yellow star in a green wreath and capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all inside two circles); the other side (hoist side at the right) has a circular treasury seal (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the words PAZ Y JUSTICIA, or Peace and Justice); red stands for bravery and patriotism, white for integrity and peace, and blue for liberty and generosity
note: the three color bands resemble the Dutch flag; one of three national flags that differ on each side — the others are Moldova and Saudi Arabia
National symbol(s)
lion
National colors
red, white, blue
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; officially adopted following its re-arrangement in 1934
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
Economy
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)
$108.022 billion (2023 est.)
$103.159 billion (2022 est.)
$102.978 billion (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 95
Real GDP growth rate
4.71% (2023 est.)
0.18% (2022 est.)
4.02% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 62
Real GDP per capita
$15,800 (2023 est.)
$15,300 (2022 est.)
$15,400 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 119
GDP (official exchange rate)
$42.956 billion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
3.8% (2024 est.)
4.6% (2023 est.)
9.8% (2022 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 123
GDP – composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 11.3% (2023 est.)
industry: 32.4% (2023 est.)
services: 49% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 157; industry 51; agriculture 71
GDP – composition, by end use
household consumption: 66.3% (2023 est.)
government consumption: 12% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 20.6% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories: -0.9% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services: 42.5% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services: -40.4% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
soybeans, sugarcane, maize, cassava, wheat, rice, milk, beef, oranges, bananas (2023)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
sugar processing, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel, base metals, electric power
Industrial production growth rate
3.43% (2023 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 94
Labor force
3.502 million (2024 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
comparison ranking: 101
Unemployment rate
6.1% (2024 est.)
5.8% (2023 est.)
6.8% (2022 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
comparison ranking: 121
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 14.1% (2024 est.)
male: 11% (2024 est.)
female: 18.8% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
comparison ranking: total 92
Population below poverty line
24.7% (2022 est.)
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient – distribution of family income
45.1 (2022 est.)
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
comparison ranking: 20
Average household expenditures
on food: 29.3% 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% (2022 est.)
highest 10%: 35.4% (2022 est.)
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances
1.74% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.41% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.47% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $7.148 billion (2022 est.)
expenditures: $6.937 billion (2022 est.)
note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt
19.5% of GDP (2017 est.)
comparison ranking: 189
Taxes and other revenues
10.2% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 175
Current account balance
-$243.292 million (2023 est.)
-$3.002 billion (2022 est.)
-$442.843 million (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 110
Exports
$18.581 billion (2023 est.)
$14.971 billion (2022 est.)
$14.821 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 93
Exports – partners
Argentina 33%, Brazil 25%, Chile 10%, USA 2%, Uruguay 2% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports – commodities
soybeans, beef, electricity, corn, soybean meal (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$17.904 billion (2023 est.)
$17.142 billion (2022 est.)
$14.316 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 99
Imports – partners
China 33%, Brazil 24%, USA 8%, Argentina 7%, Germany 2% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports – commodities
broadcasting equipment, refined petroleum, fertilizers, cars, pesticides (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$9.886 billion (2023 est.)
$9.519 billion (2022 est.)
$9.661 billion (2021 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
comparison ranking: 78
Debt – external
$13.783 billion (2023 est.)
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
comparison ranking: 43
Exchange rates
guarani (PYG) per US dollar –
Exchange rates:
7,560.248 (2024 est.)
7,288.872 (2023 est.)
6,982.752 (2022 est.)
6,774.163 (2021 est.)
6,771.097 (2020 est.)
Energy
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.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 165; exports 10; consumption 89; installed generating capacity 68
Electricity generation sources
hydroelectricity: 99.4% 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.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 2,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 52,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
7.509 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 2,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 7.507 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 119
Energy consumption per capita
25.733 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 122
Communications
Telephones – fixed lines
total subscriptions: 206,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 118
Telephones – mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 8.67 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 128 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 97
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.)
comparison ranking: total 81
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
ZP
Airports
83 (2025)
comparison ranking: 63
Heliports
29 (2025)
comparison ranking: 46
Railways
total: 30 km (2014)
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
comparison ranking: total 87
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 and Security
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)
Military expenditures
0.8% of GDP (2024 est.)
0.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
1% of GDP (2021 est.)
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 Paraguayan Government has purchased small quantities of more modern equipment (2024)
Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for compulsory (men) and voluntary (men and women) military service; conscript service obligation is 12 months for Army, 24 months for Navy; conscripts also serve in the National Police (2024)
note: as of 2021, women made up about 6% of the active military
Military – note
the Paraguayan military is responsible for external defense but also has some domestic security duties; while the National Police are responsible for maintaining internal security, the military works with the police through a Joint Task Force (Fuerza de Tarea Conjunta or FTC) in combatting the Paraguayan People’s Army (Ejército del Pueblo Paraguayo or EPP) and transnational criminal organizations; the military has an Internal Defense Operations Command (Comando de Defensa Interna or CODI), which includes the Army, Navy, and Air Force, to coordinate internal security support to the police and other security organizations, such as the National Anti-Drug Secretariat or SENAD
the EPP is a domestic criminal/guerrilla group initially dedicated to a Marxist-Leninist revolution in Paraguay that operates 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 is a small force by regional standards, and its limited equipment inventory is largely obsolete, with some of it pre-dating World War II; it has deployed small numbers of troops on UN 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 (2024)
Space
Space agency/agencies
Space Agency of Paraguay (Agencia Especial del Paraguay, AEP; established 2014) (2024)
Space program overview
has a small, recently established space program focused on the acquisition of satellites, satellite data, and the technologies and capabilities to manufacture satellites, as well as promoting in-country expertise building and space industry; a priority is acquiring remote sensing (RS) capabilities to support socio-economic develop, including resource mapping, weather, and crop monitoring; has built a cube satellite with foreign assistance; operates satellites; cooperates with foreign space agencies and industries, including those of India, Japan, Taiwan, the US, and member states of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE) (2024)
note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Terrorist group(s): Hizballah
note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin): 5,231 (Venezuela) (2022)
Illicit drugs
marijuana cultivation and the trafficking of Andean cocaine in the tri-border area shared with Argentina, and Brazil facilitates money laundering
