Paraguay

Several Indigenous groups, principally belonging to the Guarani language family, inhabited the area of modern Paraguay before the arrival of the Spanish in the early 16th century, when the territory was incorporated into the Viceroyalty of Peru. Paraguay achieved its independence from Spain in 1811 with the help of neighboring states. In the aftermath of independence, a series of military dictators ruled the country until 1870. During the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1864-70) -- fought against Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay -- Paraguay lost two thirds of its adult males and much of its territory. The country stagnated economically for the next half-century and experienced a tumultuous series of political regimes. Following the Chaco War of 1932-35 with Bolivia, Paraguay gained a large part of the Chaco lowland region. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER ended in 1989, and Paraguay has held relatively free and regular presidential elections since the country's return to democracy.

Land

397,302 sq km

Total

406,752 sq km

Water

9,450 sq km

about three times the size of New York State; slightly smaller than California

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

0 km (landlocked)

South America

Highest point

Cerro Pero 842 m

Lowest point

junction of Río Paraguay and Río Paraná 46 m

Mean elevation

178 m

23 00 S, 58 00 W

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

1,362 sq km (2012)

Border countries

Argentina 2,531 km; Bolivia 753 km; Brazil 1,371 km

number of neighbors

3

Total

4,655 km

Agricultural land

54.1% (2023 est.)

Agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 11.5% (2023 est.)

Agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.)

Agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 42.4% (2023 est.)

arable land

11.52%

Forest

36.9% (2023 est.)

Other

7% (2023 est.)

permanent crops

0.21%

Yes

Central South America, northeast of Argentina, southwest of Brazil

Guarani Aquifer System

Río de la Plata/Paraná (shared with Brazil [s], Argentina, and Uruguay [m]) - 4,880 km; Paraguay river mouth (shared with Brazil [s] and Argentina) - 2,549 km<br><br><strong>note:</strong> [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Atlantic Ocean drainage

Paran&aacute; (2,582,704 sq km)

Google Maps

https://goo.gl/maps/JtnqG73WJn1Gx6mz6

OpenStreetMap

https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/287077

South America

none (landlocked)

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

hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone

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

South America

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

UTC-04:00

number of time zones

1

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)

Beer

3.27 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Other alcohols

0.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Spirits

1.59 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Total

5.47 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Wine

0.59 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

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

Women married by age 15

3.6% (2016)

Women married by age 18

21.6% (2016)

1.3% (2016 est.)

54.8% (2022 est.)

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

adult female

96 per 1,000

adult male

179 per 1,000

Elderly dependency ratio

14.3 (2025 est.)

Potential support ratio

7 (2025 est.)

Total dependency ratio

46.7 (2025 est.)

Youth dependency ratio

32.4 (2025 est.)

improved total

64.36%

Improved: rural

rural: 99.1% of population (2022 est.)

Improved: total

total: 99.6% of population (2022 est.)

Improved: urban

urban: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: rural

rural: 0.9% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: total

total: 0.4% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: urban

urban: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)

Education expenditure (% GDP)

3.4% of GDP (2023 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

11.7% national budget (2025 est.)

3 % of GDP

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

0.92 (2025 est.)

8 % of GDP

Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

8% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

17.4% of national budget (2022 est.)

0.3%

1 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Female

17.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Male

26.1 deaths/1,000 live births

neonatal

9 deaths/1,000 live births

Total

21.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

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)

<br>La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)<br><br>The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Note

<strong>note:</strong> data represent predominant household language

number of languages

2

Female

81.6 years

Male

76.2 years

Total population

78.8 years (2024 est.)

Female

94.3% (2024 est.)

Male

95.4% (2024 est.)

Total population

94.9% (2024 est.)

3.511 million ASUNCION (capital) (2023)

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

Female

32 years

Male

31.6 years

Total

32.3 years (2025 est.)

22.9 years (2008 est.)

note

<strong>note:</strong> data represents median age at first birth among women 25-29

Adjective

Paraguayan

Noun

Paraguayan(s)

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

20.3% (2016)

3.89 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Female

3,794,637

Male

3,809,407

Total

7,604,044 (2025 est.)

1.06% (2025 est.)

Roman Catholic 80.4%, Protestant 7% (Evangelical (non-specific) 6.7%, Evangelical Pentecostal &lt;0.1%, Adventist &lt;0.1%, Protestant (non-specific) &lt;0.1%), Believer (not belonging to the church) 5.7%, other 0.6%, agnostic &lt;0.1%, none 0.2%, unspecified 6.2% (2023 est.)

improved total

58.53%

Improved: rural

rural: 94.9% of population (2022 est.)

Improved: total

total: 98.1% of population (2022 est.)

Improved: urban

urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: rural

rural: 5.1% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: total

total: 1.9% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: urban

urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)

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

At birth

1.05 male(s)/female

Total population

1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Female

3.3% (2025 est.)

Male

15.5% (2025 est.)

Total

9.3% (2025 est.)

1.88 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Rate of urbanization

1.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Urban population

63.1% of total population (2023)

measles

90%

17 departments (<em>departamentos</em>, singular - <em>departamento</em>) and 1 capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*, Boquerón, Caaguazú, Caazapá, Canindeyú, Central, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guairá, Itapúa, Misiones, Ñeembucú, Paraguarí, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro

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&nbsp;

Geographic coordinates

25 16 S, 57 40 W

Name

Asunci&oacute;n

Time difference

UTC-3 (2 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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

svg

https://mainfacts.com/media/images/coats_of_arms/py.svg

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

History

several previous; latest approved and promulgated 20 June 1992

alternative spellings

PY, Republic of Paraguay, República del Paraguay, Tetã Paraguái

Conventional long form

Republic of Paraguay

Conventional short form

Paraguay

Etymology

derives from the river of the same name; the river's name may come from the Guarani words <em>para </em>(water or river) and <em>guay </em>(born)

FIFA code

PAR

Local long form

Rep&uacute;blica del Paraguay

local long form (grn)

Tetã Paraguái

Local short form

Paraguay

Chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charg&eacute; d&rsquo;Affaires Robert ALTER (since July 2025)

Email address and website

<br>ParaguayACS@state.gov<br><br>https://py.usembassy.gov/

Embassy

1776 Mariscal Lopez Avenue, Asuncion

FAX

[595] (21) 213-728

Mailing address

3020 Asuncion Place, Washington DC&nbsp; 20521-3020

Telephone

[595] (21) 248-3000

Chancery

2209 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington DC&nbsp; 20008

Chief of mission

Ambassador Gustavo Alfredo LEITE Gusinky (since 5 September 2025)

Consulate(s) general

Los Angeles, Miami, New York

Email address and website

<br>gabineteembaparusa@mre.gov.py<br><br>Embajada de la República del Paraguay ante los Estados Unidos de América :: The Embassy (mre.gov.py)

FAX

[1] (202) 234-4508

Telephone

[1] (202) 483-6960

Cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

Chief of state

President Santiago PE&Ntilde;A Palacios (since 15 August 2023)

Election results

<br><em>2023: </em>Santiago PEÑA Palacios elected president; percent of vote - Santiago PEÑA Palacios (ANR) 43.9%, Efraín ALEGRE (PLRA) 28.3%, Paraguayo "Payo" CUBAS Colomés (PCN) 23.6%, other 4.2%<em><br><br>2018:</em> Mario ABDO BENÍTEZ elected president; percent of vote - Mario ABDO BENÍTEZ (ANR) 49%, Efraín ALEGRE (PLRA) 45.1%, other 5.9%

Election/appointment process

president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by simple-majority popular vote for a single 5-year term

Expected date of next election

April 2028

Head of government

President Santiago PE&Ntilde;A Palacios (since 15 August 2023)

Most recent election date

30 April 2023

Note

<strong>note</strong>: the president is both chief of state and head of government

<strong>description:</strong> 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)<br><br><strong>meaning:</strong> red stands for bravery and patriotism, white for integrity and peace, and blue for liberty and generosity

note

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

The flag of Paraguay features three equal horizontal bands of red, white and blue, with an emblem centered in the white band. On the obverse side of the flag depicted, this emblem is the national coat of arms.

svg

https://flagcdn.com/py.svg

presidential republic

14-15 May 1811 (from Spain)

note

<strong>note:</strong> the uprising against Spanish authorities took place during the night of 14-15 May 1811, so both days are celebrated in Paraguay

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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

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

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

Legislative structure

bicameral

Legislature name

Congress (Congreso)

Chamber name

Chamber of Deputies (Cámara de Diputados)

Electoral system

proportional representation

Expected date of next election

April 2028

Most recent election date

4/30/2023

Number of seats

80 (all directly elected)

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%

Scope of elections

full renewal

Term in office

5 years

Chamber name

Senate (Cámara de Senadores)

Electoral system

proportional representation

Expected date of next election

April 2028

Most recent election date

4/30/2023

Number of seats

45 (all directly elected)

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%

Scope of elections

full renewal

Term in office

5 years

red, white, blue

Selected World Heritage Site locales

Jesuit Missions of La Sant&iacute;sima Trinidad de Paran&aacute; and Jes&uacute;s de Tavarangue

Total World Heritage Sites

1 (cultural)

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

lion

Asociacion Nacional Republicana (National Republican Association) - Colorado Party or ANR<br>Avanza Pais coalition or AP<br>Frente Guasu (Broad Front coalition) or FG<br>GANAR Alliance (Great Renewed National Alliance) (alliance between PLRA and Guasú Front)<br>Movimiento Hagamos or MH<br>Movimiento Union Nacional de Ciudadanos Eticos (National Union of Ethical Citizens) or UNACE<br>Partido Cruzada Nacional (National Crusade Party) or PCN; note - formerly Movimiento Cruzada Nacional<br>Partido del Movimiento al Socialismo or P-MAS<br>Partido Democratica Progresista (Progressive Democratic Party) or PDP<br>Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN<br>Partido Liberal Radical Autentico (Authentic Radical Liberal Party) or PLRA<br>Partido Pais Solidario or PPS<br>Partido Popular Tekojoja or PPT<br>Patria Querida (Beloved Fatherland Party) or PPQ

Monday

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

Yes

soybeans, sugarcane, maize, cassava, wheat, rice, milk, beef, oranges, bananas (2023)

note

<b>note:</b> top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

On alcohol and tobacco

4.2% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

On food

29.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Expenditures

$9.397 billion (2023 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Revenues

$7.751 billion (2023 est.)

code

PYG

name

Paraguayan guaraní (PYG) [₲]

$-1,527,604,954

Current account balance 2022

-$2.948 billion (2022 est.)

Current account balance 2023

-$176.597 million (2023 est.)

Current account balance 2024

-$1.666 billion (2024 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

$29.96 billion

Debt - external 2023

$13.783 billion (2023 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> present value of external debt in current US dollars

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

Currency

guarani (PYG) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2020

6,771.097 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

6,774.163 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

6,982.752 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

7,288.872 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2024

7,560.248 (2024 est.)

$16.54 billion

Exports 2022

$14.971 billion (2022 est.)

Exports 2023

$18.581 billion (2023 est.)

Exports 2024

$17.395 billion (2024 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

soybeans, beef, electricity, corn, soybean meal (2023)

note

<b>note:</b> top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Argentina 33%, Brazil 25%, Chile 10%, USA 2%, Uruguay 2% (2023)

note

<b>note:</b> top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

net inflows

$1.1 billion

Exports of goods and services

37.2% (2024 est.)

Government consumption

12.6% (2024 est.)

Household consumption

67% (2024 est.)

Imports of goods and services

-39.6% (2024 est.)

Investment in fixed capital

21% (2024 est.)

Investment in inventories

1.8% (2024 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agriculture

10.7% (2024 est.)

Industry

32.5% (2024 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Services

48.7% (2024 est.)

$44.458 billion (2024 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> data in current dollars at official exchange rate

$6,416

45.7 (2019)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2023

44.4 (2023 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

$43.03 billion

$6,300

23 % of GDP

Highest 10%

34.4% (2023 est.)

Lowest 10%

1.8% (2023 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

$17.62 billion

Imports 2022

$17.088 billion (2022 est.)

Imports 2023

$17.848 billion (2023 est.)

Imports 2024

$18.377 billion (2024 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

broadcasting equipment, refined petroleum, fertilizers, cars, pesticides (2023)

note

<b>note:</b> top five import commodities based on value in dollars

China 33%, Brazil 24%, USA 8%, Argentina 7%, Germany 2% (2023)

note

<b>note:</b> top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

2.2% (2024 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

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

3.84%

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

9.8% (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

4.6% (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024

3.8% (2024 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> annual % change based on consumer prices

3.502 million (2024 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

total

3.53 million persons

agriculture

15.97%

industry

18.95%

services

65.08%

24.7% (2022 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> % of population with income below national poverty line

Public debt 2016

18.9% of GDP (2016 est.)

$128.35 billion

Note

<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$103.159 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$108.316 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

$112.919 billion (2024 est.)

4.25%

Note

<b>note:</b> annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP growth rate 2022

0.2% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

5% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2024

4.2% (2024 est.)

$18,524

Note

<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2022

$15,300 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$15,800 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2024

$16,300 (2024 est.)

$1.14 billion

Note

<b>note:</b> personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Remittances 2022

1.4% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2023

1.7% of GDP (2023 est.)

Remittances 2024

2% of GDP (2024 est.)

$9.89 billion

Note

<b>note:</b> holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021

$9.661 billion (2021 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

$9.519 billion (2022 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

$9.886 billion (2023 est.)

19 % of GDP

11 % of GDP

10.1% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

4.8%

Note

<b>note:</b> % of labor force seeking employment

Unemployment rate 2022

6.8% (2022 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

5.8% (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate 2024

6.1% (2024 est.)

Female

18.8% (2024 est.)

Male

11% (2024 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Total

14.1% (2024 est.)

Consumption

700 metric tons (2023 est.)

Exports

10 metric tons (2023 est.)

Imports

100 metric tons (2023 est.)

Consumption

14.835 billion kWh (2023 est.)

consumption per capita

2,389 kWh

Exports

24.202 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Installed generating capacity

8.928 million kW (2023 est.)

Transmission/distribution losses

5.209 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Electrification - total population

100% (2022 est.)

Biomass and waste

0.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

fossil fuels

0%

hydroelectric

99.57%

Hydroelectricity

99.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

nuclear

0%

1,044 kg of oil equivalent

Total energy consumption per capita 2023

25.733 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Refined petroleum consumption

52,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Total petroleum production

2,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

58.8%

per 100 inhabitants

13 per 100

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

13 (2023 est.)

Total

878,000 (2023 est.)

6 privately owned TV stations; about 75 commercial and community radio stations; 1 state-owned radio network (2019)

.py

Percent of population

78% (2023 est.)

######

+595

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

3 (2023 est.)

Total subscriptions

206,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100

127 per 100

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

127 (2023 est.)

Total subscriptions

8.67 million (2023 est.)

passengers carried

407,865 passengers

registered carrier departures

5,926 departures

83 (2025)

ZP

Right

29 (2025)

By type

container ship 2, general cargo 22, oil tanker 5, other 79

Total

108 (2023)

Key ports

Puerto de Asuncion

Large

0

Medium

0

Ports with oil terminals

0

Small

0

Total ports

1 (2024)

Very small

1

Standard gauge

30 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge

Total

30 km (2014)

PY

armored vehicles

tanks

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 (Ejército 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 López’s Army (EML) and the Armed Peasant Association (ACA)—have consisted largely of isolated attacks on remote police and army posts, or against ranchers and peasants accused of aiding Paraguayan security forces<br><br>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)

Armed Forces of Paraguay (Fuerzas Armadas de Paraguay; aka Armed Forces of the Nation or Fuerzas Armadas de la Nación): Paraguayan Army (Ejército Paraguayo), Paraguayan Navy (Armada Paraguaya; includes marines), Paraguayan Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya)<br><br>Ministry of Internal Affairs: National Police of Paraguay (Policía Nacional del Paraguay, PNP) (2025)

active duty personnel

29,000

percent of total labor force

0.88 %

approximately 15,000 active duty Armed Forces (2025)

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)

1 % of GDP

current USD

$413,971,348

Military Expenditures 2020

1% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military Expenditures 2021

1% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military Expenditures 2022

0.8% of GDP (2022 est.)

Military Expenditures 2023

0.8% of GDP (2023 est.)

Military Expenditures 2024

0.8% of GDP (2024 est.)

percent of central government expenditure

4.47 %

percent of GDP

0.93 % of GDP

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)

PowerIndex score

1.7974

IDPs

141 (2024 est.)

Refugees

7,649 (2024 est.)

Stateless persons

5 (2024 est.)

2017 - organized country’s first international conference on space issues<br><br>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<br><br>2025 - developing Guarani-Sat-2, which will be Paraguay's second satellite and the first designed and built domestically

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

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)

Hizballah

note

<strong>note:</strong> 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

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.)

Total emissions

7.509 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

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

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

Agriculture

813 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Energy

37.3 kt (2022-2024 est.)

Other

10 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Waste

101.2 kt (2019-2021 est.)

12.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

15 % of total land area

1 % of total

387.77 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

2 % of internal resources

Agricultural

1.897 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Industrial

154 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Municipal

362 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Municipal solid waste generated annually

1.819 million tons (2024 est.)

Percent of municipal solid waste recycled

18.1% (2022 est.)