Paraguay

Broadcast media

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

Internet country code

.py

Internet hosts

280,658 (2012) country comparison to the world: 65

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) (2010)

Telephones - main lines in use

376,000 (2012) country comparison to the world: 107

Telephones - mobile cellular

6.79 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 95

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $5.788 billion expenditures: $6.287 billion (2013 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.6% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 74

Central bank discount rate

5.5% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 6% (31 December 2011 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

28.9% (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 29.1% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

$1.376 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 $115.6 million (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$7.013 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 $5.985 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

53.2 (2009) country comparison to the world: 13 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 13% level in 2010, the highest in South America, but slowed in 2011-12 as the stimulus subsided and severe drought and outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease led to a drop in beef and other agricultural exports. The economy took another leap in 2013, largely due to strong export growth. Political uncertainty, corruption, limited progress on structural reform, and deficient infrastructure are the main obstacles to long-term growth.

Exchange rates

guarani (PYG) per US dollar - 4,315.1 (2013 est.) 4,424.9 (2012 est.) 4,735.5 (2010 est.) 4,965.4 (2009) 4,337.7 (2008)

Exports

$14.7 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 $11.9 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Uruguay 17.7%, Brazil 16.4%, Argentina 15.6%, Russia 12% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$30.56 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$45.9 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 $40.98 billion (2012 est.) $41.49 billion (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 67.1% government consumption: 12.8% investment in fixed capital: 16.9% investment in inventories: 0.4% exports of goods and services: 52.1% imports of goods and services: -49.4% (2013 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 20.4% industry: 17.7% services: 61.9% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$6,800 (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 $6,100 (2012 est.) $6,300 (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

12% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 -1.2% (2012 est.) 4.3% (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1% highest 10%: 41.1% (2010 est.)

Imports

$12.37 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 $11.06 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Brazil 24.2%, China 19.5%, Argentina 18.3%, US 11.5% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

5.6% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 47

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.3% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 3.7% (2012 est.)

Labor force

3.19 million (2013 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

$962.3 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 $958.1 million (31 December 2011) $NA (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

34.7% (2010 est.)

Public debt

15.7% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 14.7% of GDP (2012 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$6.336 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 $4.994 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$8.215 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 $7.637 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$213.6 million (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 $213.6 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$4.526 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 $4.145 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$11 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 $9.747 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$4.364 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 $4.135 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

18.9% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 172

Unemployment rate

6.6% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 6.9% (2012 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

3.987 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 166

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 108

Crude oil - production

2,000 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 175

Electricity - consumption

6.778 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 101

Electricity - exports

46.12 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 4

Electricity - from fossil fuels

0.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 208

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

99.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 3

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 110

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 184

Electricity - installed generating capacity

8.816 million kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 61

Electricity - production

53.53 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 50

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 185

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 113

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 182

Refined petroleum products - consumption

26,820 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 207

Refined petroleum products - imports

31,290 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 89

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 184

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: 88.05 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 (2003)

Land boundaries

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

Land use

arable land: 9.59% permanent crops: 0.22% other: 90.19% (2011)

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 (2011)

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 fourth Sunday in March

Constitution

several previous; latest approved and promulgated 20 June 1992; amended 2011 (2011)

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 James H. THESSIN (since 8 September 2011) embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion mailing address: Unit 4711, DPO AA 34036-0001 telephone: [595] (21) 213-715 FAX: [595] (21) 213-728

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Francisco BARREIRO (since 31 October 2013) chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962 FAX: [1] (202) 234-4508 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, Miami, New York

Executive branch

chief of state: President Horacio CARTES (since 15 August 2013); Vice President Juan AFARA Maciel (since 15 August 2013); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Horacio CARTES (since 15 August 2013); Vice President Juan AFARA Maciel (since 15 August 2013) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president (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 21 April 2013 (next to be held in April 2018) election results: Horacio CARTES elected president; percent of vote - Horacio CARTES 45.8%, Efrain ALEGRE 36.94%, Mario FERREIRO 5.88%, Anibal CARRILLO 3.32%, other 8.06%

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), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of 9 justices divided 3 each into the Constitutional Court, Civil and Commercial Chamber, and Criminal Division judge selection and term of office: justices proposed by the Council of Magistrates or Consejo de la Magistratura, a 6-member independent body, and appointed by the Chamber of Senators with presidential concurrence; judges appointed until mandatory retirement at age 75 subordinate courts: appellate courts; first instance courts; minor courts, including justices of the peace

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 21 April 2013 (next to be held in April 2018); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 21 April 2013 (next to be held in April 2018) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ANR 19, PLRA 12, FG 5, PDP 3, Avanza Pais 2, UNACE 2, PEN 1, PPQ 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ANR 44, PLRA 27, Avanza Pais 2, PEN 2, UNACE 2, FG 1, PPQ 1, other 1

National anthem

name: "Paraguayos, Republica o muerte!" (Paraguayans, The Republic or Death!)

National holiday

Independence Day, 14 May 1811 (observed 15 May)

National symbol(s)

lion

Political parties and leaders

Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR [Lilian SAMANIEGO] Avanza Pais coalition [Adolfo FERREIRO] Broad Front coalition (Frente Guasu) or FG [Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez] Movimiento Union Nacional de Ciudadanos Eticos or UNACE [Jorge OVIEDO MATTO] Patria Querida (Beloved Fatherland Party) or PPQ [Sebastian ACHA] Partido del Movimiento al Socialismo or P-MAS [Camilo Ernesto SOARES Machado] Partido Democratica Progresista or PDP [Desiree MASI] Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN [Fernando CAMACHO Paredes] Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA [Miguel ABDON SAGUIER] Partido Pais Solidario or PPS [Carlos Alberto FILIZZOLA Pallares] Partido Popular Tekojoja [Sixto PEREIRA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Ahorristas Estafados or AE 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 until the age of 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 its 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 the country's return to democracy.

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, and Coast Guard), Paraguayan Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Paraguay, FAP), Logistics Command, War Materiel Directorate (2012)

Military expenditures

1.66% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 54 1.16% of GDP (2011) 1.66% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation is 12 months for Army, 24 months for Navy; volunteers for the Air Force must be younger than 22 years of age with a secondary school diploma (2012)

Age structure

0-14 years: 26.2% (male 892,315/female 861,915) 15-24 years: 20.5% (male 691,365/female 683,653) 25-54 years: 39.5% (male 1,326,281/female 1,323,194) 55-64 years: 7.2% (male 246,869/female 236,564) 65 years and over: 6.4% (male 206,089/female 235,615) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

16.66 births/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 118

Child labor - children ages 5-14

total number: 205,297 percentage: 15 % (2004 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

3.4% (2005) country comparison to the world: 104

Contraceptive prevalence rate

79.4% note: percent of women aged 15-44 (2008)

Death rate

4.64 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 199

Demographic profile

Paraguay falls below the Latin American average in several socioeconomic categories, including immunization rates, potable water, sanitation, and secondary school enrollment, and has greater rates of income inequality and child and maternal mortality. Paraguay's poverty rate has declined in recent years but remains high, especially in rural areas, with more than a third of the population below the poverty line. However, the well-being of the poor in many regions has improved in terms of housing quality and access to clean water, telephone service, and electricity. The fertility rate continues to drop, declining sharply from an average 4.3 births per woman in the late 1990s to about 2 in 2013, as a result of the greater educational attainment of women, increased use of contraception, and a desire for smaller families among young women. Paraguay is a country of emigration; it has not attracted large numbers of immigrants because of political instability, civil wars, years of dictatorship, and the greater appeal of neighboring countries. Paraguay first tried to encourage immigration in 1870 in order to rebound from the heavy death toll it suffered during the War of the Triple Alliance, but it received few European and Middle Eastern immigrants. In the 20th century, limited numbers of immigrants arrived from Lebanon, Japan, South Korea, and China, as well as Mennonites from Canada, Russia, and Mexico. Large flows of Brazilian immigrants have been arriving since the 1960s, mainly to work in agriculture. Paraguayans continue to emigrate to Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, the United States, Italy, Spain, and France.

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 60.5 % youth dependency ratio: 51.5 % elderly dependency ratio: 8.9 % potential support ratio: 11.2 (2014 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 83.4% of population total: 93.8% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 16.6% of population total: 6.2% of population (2012 est.)

Education expenditures

4.8% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 84

Ethnic groups

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 86

HIV/AIDS - deaths

300 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 104

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

13,100 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

Health expenditures

9.7% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 29

Hospital bed density

1.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

total: 20.75 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 86 male: 24.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

Languages

Spanish (official), Guarani (official)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 76.8 years country comparison to the world: 72 male: 74.16 years female: 79.56 years (2014 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.9% male: 94.8% female: 92.9% (2010 est.)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: intermediate food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: dengue fever (2013)

Major urban areas - population

ASUNCION (capital) 2.139 million (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

99 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 73

Median age

total: 26.8 years male: 26.6 years female: 27 years (2014 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

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

Nationality

noun: Paraguayan(s) adjective: Paraguayan

Net migration rate

-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 114

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

17.9% (2008) country comparison to the world: 110

Physicians density

1.11 physicians/1,000 population (2002)

Population

6,703,860 (July 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Population growth rate

1.19% (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 100

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: 96.1% of population rural: 52.5% of population total: 79.7% of population unimproved: urban: 3.9% of population rural: 47.5% of population total: 20.3% of population (2012 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 13 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2011)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.96 children born/woman (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 11.2% country comparison to the world: 104 male: 9% female: 14.6% (2012)

Urbanization

urban population: 61.9% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 2.55% 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

799 (2013) 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 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 784 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 290 under 914 m: 471 (2013)

Merchant marine

total: 19 country comparison to the world: 96 by type: cargo 13, container 3, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 6 (Argentina 5, Netherlands 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals

river port(s): Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion (Parana)

Railways

total: 36 km country comparison to the world: 132 standard gauge: 36 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)

Roadways

total: 32,059 km country comparison to the world: 95 paved: 4,860 km unpaved: 27,199 km (2010)

Waterways

3,100 km (primarily on the Paraguay and Paraná river systems) (2012) country comparison to the world: 33