Whole Planet Foundation

Information sourced from CIA World Factbook 1/21/2011

Introduction ::Paraguay
Background: 
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 all 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, despite a marked increase in political infighting in recent years, Paraguay has held relatively free and regular presidential elections since then.
 
 
 

Geography ::Paraguay
Location: 
Central South America, northeast of Argentina
 
Geographic coordinates: 
23 00 S, 58 00 W
 
Map references: 
South America 
 
Area: 
total: 406,752 sq km
country comparison to the world: 59
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: 
none (landlocked)
 
Climate: 
Current Weather
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 extremes: 
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: 7.47%
permanent crops: 0.24%
other: 92.29% (2005)
 
Irrigated land: 
670 sq km (2003)
 
Total renewable water resources: 
336 cu km (2000)
 
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): 
total: 0.49 cu km/yr (20%/8%/71%)
per capita: 80 cu m/yr (2000)
 
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 ::Paraguay
Population: 
6,375,830 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103 
 
Age structure: 
0-14 years: 36.7% (male 1,304,115/female 1,260,560)
15-64 years: 58.1% (male 2,043,509/female 2,023,317)
65 years and over: 5.2% (male 168,554/female 195,600) (2010 est.)
 
Median age: 
total: 24.9 years
male: 24.7 years
female: 25.1 years (2010 est.)
 
Population growth rate: 
1.31% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94 
 
Birth rate: 
17.73 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115 
 
Death rate: 
4.55 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200 
 
Net migration rate: 
-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124 
 
Urbanization: 
urban population: 60% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
 
Sex ratio: 
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
 
Infant mortality rate: 
total: 23.83 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 88
male: 27.84 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 19.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
 
Life expectancy at birth: 
total population: 75.99 years
country comparison to the world: 73
male: 73.39 years
female: 78.71 years (2010 est.)
 
Total fertility rate: 
2.16 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118 
 
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 
0.6% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67 
 
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 
21,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78 
 
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 
fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74 
 
Major infectious diseases: 
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: dengue fever and malaria (2009)
 
Nationality: 
noun: Paraguayan(s)
adjective: Paraguayan
 
Ethnic groups: 
mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%, other 5%
 
Religions: 
Roman Catholic 89.6%, Protestant 6.2%, other Christian 1.1%, other or unspecified 1.9%, none 1.1% (2002 census)
 
Languages: 
Spanish (official), Guarani (official)
 
Literacy: 
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 94%
male: 94.9%
female: 93% (2003 est.)
 
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): 
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2007)
 
Education expenditures: 
4% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 106 
 
 
 

Government ::Paraguay
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 second Sunday in April
 
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: 
promulgated 20 June 1992
 
Legal system: 
based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
 
Suffrage: 
18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 75
 
Executive branch: 
chief of state: President Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez (since 15 August 2008); Vice President Federico FRANCO (since 15 August 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez (since 15 August 2008); Vice President Federico FRANCO (since 15 August 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held on 20 April 2008 (next to be held in April 2013)
election results: Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez elected president; percent of vote - Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez 40.8%, Blanca OVELAR 30.6%, Lino OVIEDO 21.9%, Pedro FADUL 2.4%, other 4.3%
 
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 20 April 2008 (next to be held in April 2013); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 20 April 2008 (next to be held in April 2013)
election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ANR 15, PLRA 14, UNACE 9, PPQ 4, other 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ANR 30, PLRA 27, UNACE 15, PPQ 3, APC 2, other 3; note - as of 1 January 2010, the composition of the Chamber of Deputies is ANR 30, PLRA 29, UNACE 15, PPQ 4, other 2
 
Judicial branch: 
Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judges proposed by the Council of Magistrates or Consejo de la Magistratura, and approved by the Senate and president)
 
Political parties and leaders: 
Alianza Patriotica por el Cambio (Patriotic Alliance for Change) or APC [Fernando LUGO]; Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR [Lilian SAMANIEGO]; Movimiento Popolar Tekojoja or Tekojoja [Sixto PEREIRA]; Movimiento Union Nacional de Ciudadanos Eticos or UNACE [Lino Cesar OVIEDO Silva]; Patria Querida (Beloved Fatherland Party) or PPQ [Pedro Nicolas Maraa FADUL Niella]; Partido del Movimiento al Socialismo or P-MAS [Camilo Ernesto SOARES Machado]; Partido Democratica Progresista or PDP [Rafael Augusto FILIZZOLA Serra]; Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN [Fernando CAMACHO Paredes]; Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA [Amanda NUNEZ]; Partido Pais Solidario or PPS [Carlos Alberto FILIZZOLA Pallares]
 
Political pressure groups and leaders: 
Ahorristas Estafados or AE; National Coordinating Board of Campesino Organizations or MCNOC [Luis AGUAYO]; National Federation of Campesinos or FNC [Odilon ESPINOLA]; National Workers Central or CNT [Secretary General Juan TORRALES]; Paraguayan Workers Confederation or CPT; Roman Catholic Church; Unitary Workers Central or CUT [Jorge Guzman ALVARENGA Malgarejo]
 
International organization participation: 
CAN (associate), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
 
Diplomatic representation in the US: 
chief of mission: Ambassador Rigoberto GAUTO Vielman
chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962
FAX: [1] (202) 234-4508
consulate(s) general: Kansas City (Kansas), Los Angeles, Miami, New York
 
Diplomatic representation from the US: 
Ambassador Liliana AYALDE
embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion
mailing address: Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001
telephone: [595] (21) 213-715
FAX: [595] (21) 228-603
 
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
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
 
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 ::Paraguay
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 6.5% level in 2010. Political uncertainty, corruption, limited progress on structural reform, and deficient infrastructure are the main obstacles to growth. 

 
 
GDP (purchasing power parity): 
$30.94 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
$29.06 billion (2009 est.)
$30.2 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
 
GDP (official exchange rate): 
$17.17 billion (2009 est.)
 
GDP - real growth rate: 
6.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
-3.8% (2009 est.)
5.8% (2008 est.)
 
GDP - per capita (PPP): 
$4,900 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
$4,600 (2009 est.)
$4,900 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
 
GDP - composition by sector: 
agriculture: 21.8%
industry: 18.2%
services: 60.1% (2009 est.)
 
Labor force: 
3.038 million (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103 
 
Labor force - by occupation: 
agriculture: 26.5%
industry: 18.5%
services: 55% (2008)
 
Unemployment rate: 
6.9% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
7.9% (2009 est.)
 
Population below poverty line: 
19.4% (2008 est.)
 
Household income or consumption by percentage share: 
lowest 10%: 1.1%
highest 10%: 42.3% (2007)
 
Distribution of family income - Gini index: 
53.2 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 17
57.7 (1998)
 
Investment (gross fixed): 
17.8% of GDP (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112 
 
Budget: 
revenues: $3.238 billion
expenditures: $3.402 billion (2009 est.)
 
Public debt: 
22.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
24% of GDP (2009 est.)
 
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 
4.2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
2.6% (2009 est.)
 
Central bank discount rate: 
20% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 10
20% (31 December 2007)
 
Commercial bank prime lending rate: 
28.26% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
25.81% (31 December 2008 est.)
 
Stock of narrow money: 
$2.6 billion (31 December 2010 est)
$2.107 billion (31 December 2009 est)
 
Stock of broad money: 
$5.03 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
$4.057 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
 
Stock of domestic credit: 
$4.395 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
$3.607 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
 
Market value of publicly traded shares: 
$NA (31 December 2008)
$NA (31 December 2007)
$409.1 million (31 December 2006)
 
Agriculture - products: 
cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber
 
Industries: 
sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel, metallurgic, electric power
 
Industrial production growth rate: 
6.5% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49 
 
Electricity - production: 
53.19 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47 
 
Electricity - consumption: 
8.5 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92 
 
Electricity - exports: 
45.14 billion kWh (2007 est.)
 
Electricity - imports: 
0 kWh (2008 est.)
 
Oil - production: 
31 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112 
 
Oil - consumption: 
27,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116 
 
Oil - exports: 
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157 
 
Oil - imports: 
25,100 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106 
 
Oil - proved reserves: 
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136 
 
Natural gas - production: 
0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151 
 
Natural gas - consumption: 
0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116 
 
Natural gas - exports: 
0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143 
 
Natural gas - imports: 
0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102 
 
Natural gas - proved reserves: 
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111 
 
Current account balance: 
-$391 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
-$149.2 million (2009 est.)
 
Exports: 
$7.606 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
$5.784 billion (2009 est.)
 
Exports - commodities: 
soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, electricity, wood, leather
 
Exports - partners: 
Brazil 21%, Uruguay 17%, Chile 12%, Argentina 11%, Russia 4% (2009)
 
Imports: 
$9.242 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
$6.917 billion (2009 est.)
 
Imports - commodities: 
road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products, electrical machinery, tractors, chemicals, vehicle parts
 
Imports - partners: 
China 30%, Brazil 23%, Argentina 16%, US 5% (2009)
 
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: 
$4.082 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
$3.862 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
 
Debt - external: 
$4.346 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
$3.883 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
 
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: 
$2.153 million (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 87
$2.057 million (31 December 2007)
 
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: 
$NA
 
Exchange rates: 
guarani (PYG) per US dollar - 4,767.6 (2010), 4,965.4 (2009), 4,337.7 (2008), 5,031 (2007), 5,672.8 (2006)
 
 
 

Communications ::Paraguay
Telephones - main lines in use: 
387,300 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 102 
 
Telephones - mobile cellular: 
5.619 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 89 
 
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
international: country code - 595; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
 
Broadcast media: 
5 privately-owned TV stations; about 75 commercial and community radio stations broadcasting; 1 state-owned radio network (2007)
 
Internet country code: 
.py
 
Internet hosts: 
167,281 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 69 
 
Internet users: 
1.105 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 94 
 
 
 

Transportation ::Paraguay
Airports: 
800 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 9 
 
Airports - with paved runways: 
total: 15
over 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2010)
 
Airports - with unpaved runways: 
total: 785
1,524 to 2,437 m: 25
914 to 1,523 m: 290
under 914 m: 470 (2010)
 
Railways: 
total: 36 km
country comparison to the world: 132
standard gauge: 36 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)
 
Roadways: 
total: 29,500 km
country comparison to the world: 98
paved: 14,986 km
unpaved: 14,514 km (2000)
 
Waterways: 
3,100 km (primarily on the Paraguay and Paran� river systems) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 33 
 
Merchant marine: 
total: 23
country comparison to the world: 97
by type: cargo 15, carrier 1, container 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 6 (Argentina 5, Netherlands 1) (2010)
 
Ports and terminals: 
Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion
 
 
 

Military ::Paraguay
Military branches: 
Army, National Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Marine Corps, Naval Aviation), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Paraguay, FAP) (2010)
 
Military service age and obligation: 
18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 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 (2010)
 
Manpower available for military service: 
males age 16-49: 1,640,761
females age 16-49: 1,637,460 (2010 est.)
 
Manpower fit for military service: 
males age 16-49: 1,375,610
females age 16-49: 1,400,597 (2010 est.)
 
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: 
male: 72,455
female: 70,910 (2010 est.)
 
Military expenditures: 
1% of GDP (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131 
 
 
 

Transnational Issues ::Paraguay
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