Introduction
Background
Paraguay achieved its independence from Spain in 1811. 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.
Geography
Area
total : 406,752 sq km
land: 397,302 sq km
water: 9,450 sq km
Climate
subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west
Natural resources
hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone
People and Society
Population
total: 7,522,549
Ethnic groups
Mestizo (mixed Spanish and Indigenous ancestry) 95%, other 5%
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.)
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.)
Population growth rate
1.09% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Asunción
Executive branch
chief of state: President Santiago PEÑA Palacios (since 15 August 2023)
head of government: President Santiago PEÑA Palacios (since 15 August 2023)
Legislative branch
summary: bicameral National Congress consists of the Chamber of Senators (45 seats) and the Chamber of Deputies (80 seats)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador José Antonio DOS SANTOS BEDOYA (since 15 September 2021)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Marc OSTFIELD (since 9 March 2022)
Economy
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
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$108.022 billion (2023 est.)
$103.159 billion (2022 est.)
$102.978 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$15,700 (2023 est.)
$15,200 (2022 est.)
$15,400 (2021 est.)
Exports
$18.711 billion (2023 est.)
$14.971 billion (2022 est.)
$14.821 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
Brazil 36%, Argentina 19%, Chile 12%, Russia 4%, US 3% (2022)
Exports - commodities
beef, electricity, soybeans, corn, soybean meal (2022)
Imports
$17.906 billion (2023 est.)
$17.142 billion (2022 est.)
$14.316 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
China 28%, Brazil 23%, US 11%, Argentina 8%, Chile 3% (2022)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, cars, fertilizers, pesticides (2022)
Page last updated: Thursday, September 12, 2024
