Paraguay

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 878,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (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.)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 206,000 (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.)

Agricultural products

soybeans, sugarcane, maize, cassava, wheat, rice, milk, beef, oranges, bananas (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Average household expenditures

on food: 29.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 4.2% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Budget

revenues: $7.751 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $9.397 billion (2023 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Current account balance

-$1.666 billion (2024 est.) -$176.597 million (2023 est.) -$2.948 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Debt - external

$13.783 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

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

Exchange rates

guarani (PYG) per US dollar - 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.)

Exports

$17.395 billion (2024 est.) $18.581 billion (2023 est.) $14.971 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - commodities

soybeans, beef, electricity, corn, soybean meal (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

Argentina 33%, Brazil 25%, Chile 10%, USA 2%, Uruguay 2% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

GDP (official exchange rate)

$44.458 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

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.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 10.7% (2024 est.) industry: 32.5% (2024 est.) services: 48.7% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

44.4 (2023 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1.8% (2023 est.) highest 10%: 34.4% (2023 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Imports

$18.377 billion (2024 est.) $17.848 billion (2023 est.) $17.088 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - commodities

broadcasting equipment, refined petroleum, fertilizers, cars, pesticides (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Imports - partners

China 33%, Brazil 24%, USA 8%, Argentina 7%, Germany 2% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Industrial production growth rate

2.2% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.8% (2024 est.) 4.6% (2023 est.) 9.8% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Labor force

3.502 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Population below poverty line

24.7% (2022 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Public debt

18.9% of GDP (2016 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$112.919 billion (2024 est.) $108.316 billion (2023 est.) $103.159 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP growth rate

4.2% (2024 est.) 5% (2023 est.) 0.2% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per capita

$16,300 (2024 est.) $15,800 (2023 est.) $15,300 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars

Remittances

2% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.7% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.4% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

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

Taxes and other revenues

10.1% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Unemployment rate

6.1% (2024 est.) 5.8% (2023 est.) 6.8% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment

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

Coal

consumption: 700 metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 10 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 100 metric tons (2023 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.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Electricity generation sources

hydroelectricity: 99.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

25.733 million Btu/person (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.)

Climate

subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west

Environmental issues

deforestation; water pollution; toxic dumping in rivers and streams; loss of wetlands; inadequate means for waste disposal in urban areas

International environmental 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

Land use

agricultural land: 54.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 11.5% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 42.4% (2023 est.) forest: 36.9% (2023 est.) other: 7% (2023 est.)

Methane emissions

energy: 37.3 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 813 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 101.2 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 10 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Particulate matter emissions

12.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Total renewable water resources

387.77 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal

municipal: 362 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 154 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 1.897 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 63.1% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.819 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 18.1% (2022 est.)

Area

total : 406,752 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

Climate

subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation

highest point: Cerro Pero 842 m lowest point: junction of R o Paraguay and R o Paran 46 m mean elevation: 178 m

Geographic coordinates

23 00 S, 58 00 W

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

1,362 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

total: 4,655 km border countries (3): Argentina 2,531 km; Bolivia 753 km; Brazil 1,371 km

Land use

agricultural land: 54.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 11.5% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 42.4% (2023 est.) forest: 36.9% (2023 est.) other: 7% (2023 est.)

Location

Central South America, northeast of Argentina, southwest of Brazil

Major aquifers

Guarani Aquifer System

Major rivers (by length in km)

R o de la Plata/Paran (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: Paran (2,582,704 sq km)

Map references

South America

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)

Natural resources

hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone

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

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

Administrative divisions

17 departments ( departamentos , singular - departamento ) and 1 capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*, Boquer n, Caaguaz , Caazap , Canindey , Central, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guair , Itap a, Misiones, eembuc , Paraguar , Presidente Hayes, San Pedro

Capital

name: Asunci n 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

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

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

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay conventional short form: Paraguay local long form: Rep blica 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)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charg 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/

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 Rep blica del Paraguay ante los Estados Unidos de Am rica :: The Embassy (mre.gov.py) consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, Miami, New York

Executive branch

chief of state: President Santiago PE A Palacios (since 15 August 2023) head of government: President Santiago PE A 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 PE A Palacios elected president; percent of vote - Santiago PE A Palacios (ANR) 43.9%, Efra n ALEGRE (PLRA) 28.3%, Paraguayo "Payo" CUBAS Colom s (PCN) 23.6%, other 4.2% 2018: Mario ABDO BEN TEZ elected president; percent of vote - Mario ABDO BEN TEZ (ANR) 49%, Efra n ALEGRE (PLRA) 45.1%, other 5.9% expected date of next election: April 2028 note : the president is both chief of state and head of government

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 note 1: resembles the flag of the Netherlands, which does not have a central emblem note 2: one of three national flags that differ on each side -- the others are Moldova and Saudi Arabia

Government type

presidential republic

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

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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

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

Legal system

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

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

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)

National color(s)

red, white, blue

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Jesuit Missions of La Sant sima Trinidad de Paran and Jes s de Tavarangue

National holiday

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

National symbol(s)

lion

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 Guas 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

Suffrage

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

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 16 th 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.

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 (Ej rcito 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 L pez 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)

Military and security forces

Armed Forces of Paraguay (Fuerzas Armadas de Paraguay; aka Armed Forces of the Nation or Fuerzas Armadas de la Naci n): Paraguayan Army (Ej rcito Paraguayo), Paraguayan Navy (Armada Paraguaya; includes marines), Paraguayan Air Force (Fuerza A rea Paraguaya) Ministry of Internal Affairs: National Police of Paraguay (Polic a Nacional del Paraguay, PNP) (2025)

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 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 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)

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)

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.)

Birth rate

15.66 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Child marriage

women married by age 15: 3.6% (2016) women married by age 18: 21.6% (2016)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

1.3% (2016 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

54.8% (2022 est.)

Death rate

4.97 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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.)

Drinking water source

urban: 99.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 99.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 99.6% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.4% of population (2022 est.)

Education expenditure

3.4% of GDP (2023 est.) 11.7% national budget (2025 est.)

Ethnic groups

Mestizo (mixed Spanish and Indigenous ancestry) 95%, other 5%

Gross reproduction rate

0.92 (2025 est.)

Health expenditure

8% of GDP (2021) 17.4% of national budget (2022 est.)

Hospital bed density

1 beds/1,000 population (2020 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

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 informaci n b sica. (Spanish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: data represent predominant household language

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 78.8 years (2024 est.) male: 76.2 years female: 81.6 years

Literacy

total population: 94.9% (2024 est.) male: 95.4% (2024 est.) female: 94.3% (2024 est.)

Major urban areas - population

3.511 million ASUNCION (capital) (2023)

Maternal mortality ratio

58 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Median age

total: 32.3 years (2025 est.) male: 31.6 years female: 32 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

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

Nationality

noun: Paraguayan(s) adjective: Paraguayan

Net migration rate

-0.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

20.3% (2016)

Physician density

3.89 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Population

total: 7,604,044 (2025 est.) male: 3,809,407 female: 3,794,637

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

Population growth rate

1.06% (2025 est.)

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.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 94.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 98.1% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 5.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 1.9% of population (2022 est.)

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.)

Tobacco use

total: 9.3% (2025 est.) male: 15.5% (2025 est.) female: 3.3% (2025 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.88 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 63.1% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Key space-program milestones

2017 - organized country s first international conference on space issues 2021 - first research/technology-demonstrator cube satellite (Guaranisat-1) built jointly with Japan, launched by US, and deployed from International Space Station; signed protocols for the establishment of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency 2025 - developing Guarani-Sat-2, which will be Paraguay's second satellite and the first designed and built domestically

Space agency/agencies

Space Agency of Paraguay (Agencia Especial del Paraguay, AEP; established 2014) (2025)

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 domestic expertise and industry; a priority is acquiring remote sensing capabilities to support socio-economic development, 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 (2025)

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees: 7,649 (2024 est.) IDPs: 141 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 5 (2024 est.)

Airports

83 (2025)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

ZP

Heliports

29 (2025)

Merchant marine

total: 108 (2023) 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

Railways

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