Paraguay

Broadcast media

6 privately-owned TV stations; about 75 commercial and community radio stations broadcasting; 1 state-owned radio network (2010)

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

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)

Telephones - main lines in use

405,000 (2010) country comparison to the world: 104

Telephones - mobile cellular

5.915 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 97

Agriculture - products

cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber

Budget

revenues: $3.386 billion expenditures: $3.22 billion (2010 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0.9% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

Central bank discount rate

6% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 20% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

26.04% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 28.26% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$596.3 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 $42.9 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$4.545 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 $4.323 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

53.2 (2009) country comparison to the world: 16 57.7 (1998)

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 14.5% level in 2010, the highest in South America. Political uncertainty, corruption, limited progress on structural reform, and deficient infrastructure are the main obstacles to growth.

Electricity - consumption

8.5 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 90

Electricity - exports

45.13 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

45.13 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

54.91 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45

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)

Exports

$8.312 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 $5.805 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, electricity, wood, leather

Exports - partners

Uruguay 16.2%, Brazil 12.8%, Chile 10%, Argentina 8.1%, Italy 5%, Netherlands 4.4%, Spain 4.3%, Turkey 4.2%, Germany 4.2% (2010)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$18.48 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$33.31 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 $28.89 billion (2009 est.) $30.05 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 24.9% industry: 21.2% services: 53.9% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$5,200 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 $4,600 (2009 est.) $4,800 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

15.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 -3.8% (2009 est.) 5.8% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1.4% highest 10%: 41% (2008)

Imports

$9.839 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 $6.837 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products, electrical machinery, tractors, chemicals, vehicle parts

Imports - partners

Brazil 27.7%, China 17.6%, US 16.6%, Argentina 15.2% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

6.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64

Industries

sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel, metallurgic, electric power

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 2.6% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

15.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 161

Labor force

3.033 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 26.5% industry: 18.5% services: 55% (2008)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA (31 December 2010) country comparison to the world: 111 $409.1 million $409.1 million (31 December 2006)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 118

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

Oil - consumption

31,000 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 114

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 189

Oil - imports

23,810 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 107

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 127

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 177

Population below poverty line

18.8% (2009 est.)

Public debt

19.3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 22.6% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$4.167 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 $3.862 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$7.633 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 $6.377 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$3.393 million (31 December 2010) country comparison to the world: 91 $3.053 million (31 December 2009)

Stock of domestic credit

$5.207 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 $3.909 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$3.169 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 $2.774 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

18.3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Unemployment rate

7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 7.9% (2009 est.)

Area

total: 406,752 sq km country comparison to the world: 60 land: 397,302 sq km water: 9,450 sq km

Area - comparative

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 extremes

lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m highest point: Cerro Pero 842 m

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.49 cu km/yr (20%/8%/71%) per capita: 80 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates

23 00 S, 58 00 W

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

670 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

total: 3,995 km border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,365 km

Land use

arable land: 7.47% permanent crops: 0.24% other: 92.29% (2005)

Location

Central South America, northeast of Argentina, southwest of Brazil

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

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

Total renewable water resources

336 cu km (2000)

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

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

Constitution

promulgated 20 June 1992

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay conventional short form: Paraguay local long form: Republica del Paraguay local short form: Paraguay

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

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

Executive branch

chief of state: President Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez (since 15 August 2008); Vice President Luis Federico FRANCO Gomez (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 Luis Federico FRANCO Gomez (since 15 August 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president (For more information visit theWorld 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%

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

Government type

constitutional republic

Independence

14 May 1811 (from Spain)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

CAN (associate), 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, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

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)

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

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

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

National holiday

Independence Day, 14 May 1811 (observed 15 May)

National symbol(s)

lion

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]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 75

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.

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 branches

Armed Forces Command (Commando de las Fuerzas Militares): Army, National Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Marine Corps, Naval Aviation), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Paraguay, FAP), Logistics Command, War Materiel Directorate (2011)

Military expenditures

1% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 129

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)

Age structure

0-14 years: 28.5% (male 936,298/female 905,285) 15-64 years: 65.4% (male 2,121,632/female 2,100,740) 65 years and over: 6.1% (male 183,440/female 211,663) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

17.48 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 113

Death rate

4.57 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 198

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 99% of population rural: 66% of population total: 86% of population unimproved: urban: 1% of population rural: 34% of population total: 14% of population (2008)

Education expenditures

4% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 105

Ethnic groups

mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%, other 5%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.3% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 500 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

13,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 90

Health expenditures

7.1% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 78

Hospital bed density

1.3 beds/1,000 population (2009) country comparison to the world: 133

Infant mortality rate

total: 23.02 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 86 male: 26.94 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Languages

Spanish (official), Guarani (official)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 76.19 years country comparison to the world: 74 male: 73.59 years female: 78.93 years (2011 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94% male: 94.9% female: 93% (2003 est.)

Major cities - population

ASUNCION (capital) 1.977 million (2009)

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)

Maternal mortality rate

95 deaths/100,000 live births (2008) country comparison to the world: 73

Median age

total: 25.4 years male: 25.1 years female: 25.6 years (2011 est.)

Nationality

noun: Paraguayan(s) adjective: Paraguayan

Net migration rate

-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Physicians density

1.11 physicians/1,000 population (2002) country comparison to the world: 98

Population

6,459,058 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Population growth rate

1.284% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 92

Religions

Roman Catholic 89.6%, Protestant 6.2%, other Christian 1.1%, other or unspecified 1.9%, none 1.1% (2002 census)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 90% of population rural: 40% of population total: 70% of population unimproved: urban: 10% of population rural: 60% of population total: 30% of population (2008)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2007)

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 (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.11 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 116

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 11.8% country comparison to the world: 92 male: 8.7% female: 16.8% (2008)

Urbanization

urban population: 61% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 2.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

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

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)

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

Railways

total: 36 km country comparison to the world: 132 standard gauge: 36 km 1.435-m gauge (2010)

Roadways

total: 29,500 km country comparison to the world: 98 paved: 14,986 km unpaved: 14,514 km (2001)

Waterways

3,100 km (primarily on the Paraguay and Paran? river systems) (2010) country comparison to the world: 32