2013 Edition

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.

Area

406,752 sq km 397,302 sq km 9,450 sq km

total

406,752 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

junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m Cerro Pero 842 m

highest point

Cerro Pero 842 m

lowest point

junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 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

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands none of the selected 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)

0.49 cu km/yr (20%/8%/71%) 88.05 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

88.05 cu m/yr (2000)

total

0.49 cu km/yr (20%/8%/71%)

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

3,995 km Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,365 km

border countries

Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,365 km

total

3,995 km

Land use

9.59% 0.22% 90.19% (2011)

arable land

9.59%

other

90.19% (2011)

permanent crops

0.22%

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)

Age structure

26.8% (male 903,578/female 873,079) 20.8% (male 692,006/female 684,297) 39% (male 1,294,037/female 1,290,376) 6.9% (male 234,803/female 224,862) 6.4% (male 198,529/female 227,685) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

26.8% (male 903,578/female 873,079)

15-24 years

20.8% (male 692,006/female 684,297)

25-54 years

39% (male 1,294,037/female 1,290,376)

55-64 years

6.9% (male 234,803/female 224,862)

65 years and over

6.4% (male 198,529/female 227,685) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

16.95 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

205,297 15 % (2004 est.)

percentage

15 % (2004 est.)

total number

205,297

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

3.4% (2005)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

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

Death rate

4.61 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

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

61 % 52.2 % 8.8 % 11.4 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

8.8 %

potential support ratio

11.4 (2013)

total dependency ratio

61 %

youth dependency ratio

52.2 %

Drinking water source

urban: 99% of population rural: 66% of population total: 86% of population urban: 1% of population rural: 34% of population total: 14% of population (2010 est.)

rural

34% of population

total

14% of population (2010 est.)

urban

1% of population

Education expenditures

4.1% of GDP (2010)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

9.7% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.3% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 500 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

13,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

21.48 deaths/1,000 live births 25.21 deaths/1,000 live births 17.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

17.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

21.48 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Spanish (official), Guarani (official)

Life expectancy at birth

76.6 years 73.97 years 79.35 years (2013 est.)

female

79.35 years (2013 est.)

total population

76.6 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 93.9% 94.8% 92.9% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

92.9% (2010 est.)

male

94.8%

total population

93.9%

Major infectious diseases

intermediate bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever dengue fever (2013)

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) 1.977 million (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

99 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

26.3 years 26.1 years 26.5 years (2013 est.)

female

26.5 years (2013 est.)

male

26.1 years

total

26.3 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

22.9 Median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2008 est.)

Nationality

Paraguayan(s) Paraguayan

adjective

Paraguayan

noun

Paraguayan(s)

Net migration rate

-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

17.9% (2008)

Physicians density

1.11 physicians/1,000 population (2002)

Population

6,623,252 (July 2013 est.)

Population growth rate

1.23% (2013 est.)

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

urban: 90% of population rural: 40% of population total: 71% of population urban: 10% of population rural: 60% of population total: 29% of population (2010 est.)

rural

60% of population

total

29% of population (2010 est.)

urban

10% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

12 years 12 years 12 years (2010)

female

12 years (2010)

male

12 years

total

12 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.87 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

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

1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.87 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.01 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.01 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

17.8% 9.7% 13% (2011)

female

13% (2011)

total

17.8%

Urbanization

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

rate of urbanization

2.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

61% of total population (2010)

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

Asuncion 25 16 S, 57 40 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends fourth Sunday in March

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends fourth Sunday in March

geographic coordinates

25 16 S, 57 40 W

name

Asuncion

time difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

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

Country name

Republic of Paraguay Paraguay Republica del Paraguay Paraguay

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) 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion Unit 4711, DPO AA 34036-0001 [595] (21) 213-715 [595] (21) 213-728

embassy

1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion

FAX

[595] (21) 213-728

mailing address

Unit 4711, DPO AA 34036-0001

telephone

[595] (21) 213-715

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Fernando Antonio PFANNL Caballero (since 9 January 2013) 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962 [1] (202) 234-4508 Los Angeles, Miami, New York

chancery

2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Fernando Antonio PFANNL Caballero (since 9 January 2013)

consulate(s) general

Los Angeles, Miami, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 234-4508

telephone

[1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962

Executive branch

President Horacio CARTES (since 15 August 2013); Vice President Juan AFARA Maciel (since 15 August 2013); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Horacio CARTES (since 15 August 2013); Vice President Juan AFARA Maciel (since 15 August 2013) Council of Ministers appointed by the president 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) 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%

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President Horacio CARTES (since 15 August 2013); Vice President Juan AFARA Maciel (since 15 August 2013); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

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%

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)

head of government

President Horacio CARTES (since 15 August 2013); Vice President Juan AFARA Maciel (since 15 August 2013)

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 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 (suspended), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

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 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 appellate courts; first instance courts; minor courts, including justices of the peace

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) 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) 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

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

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)

National anthem

"Paraguayos, Republica o muerte!" (Paraguayans, The Republic or Death!) Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/disputed adopted 1934, in use since 1846; the anthem was officially adopted following its re-arrangement in 1934

lyrics/music

Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/disputed

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

Alianza Patriotica por el Cambio (Patriotic Alliance for Change) or APC Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR [Lilian SAMANIEGO] Avanza Pais coalition [Mario FERREIRO] Broad Front coalition (Frente Guazu) or FG [Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez] Movimiento Popolar Tekojoja or Tekojoja [Sixto PEREIRA] Movimiento Union Nacional de Ciudadanos Eticos or UNACE 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 [Rafael Augusto FILIZZOLA Serra] Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN [Fernando CAMACHO Paredes] Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA [Blas Antonio LLANO Ramos] 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 until the age of 75

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$4.664 billion $5.109 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$5.109 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$4.664 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.7% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

5.5% (31 December 2012 est.) 6% (31 December 2011 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

29.1% (31 December 2012 est.) 28.94% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$115.6 million (2012 est.) $288.8 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$5.985 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $6.013 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

53.2 (2009) 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 to about 4% in 2011 as the stimulus subsided. In 2012, severe drought and outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease led to a drop in beef and other agricultural exports and the economy contracted about 0.5%. 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 - 4,424.9 (2012 est.) 4,191.4 (2011 est.) 4,735.5 (2010 est.) 4,965.4 (2009) 4,337.7 (2008)

Exports

$11.9 billion (2012 est.) $12.52 billion (2011 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 - composition, by end use

69.1% 12.7% 15.1% 0.4% 51.3% -48.6% (2012 est.)

exports of goods and services

51.3%

government consumption

12.7%

household consumption

69.1%

imports of goods and services

-48.6%

investment in fixed capital

15.1%

investment in inventories

0.4%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

16.3% 18.2% 65.5% (2012 est.)

agriculture

16.3%

industry

18.2%

services

65.5% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$6,100 (2012 est.) $6,200 (2011 est.) $6,100 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

-1.2% (2012 est.) 4.3% (2011 est.) 13.1% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$25.72 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$40.43 billion (2012 est.) $40.93 billion (2011 est.) $39.22 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1% 41.1% (2010 est.)

highest 10%

41.1% (2010 est.)

lowest 10%

1%

Imports

$11.06 billion (2012 est.) $11.68 billion (2011 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

3.7% (2012 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.7% (2012 est.) 8.3% (2011 est.)

Labor force

3.137 million (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

26.5% 18.5% 55% (2008)

agriculture

26.5%

industry

18.5%

services

55% (2008)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$958.1 million (31 December 2011) $42 million (31 December 2010) $409.1 million (31 December 2006)

Population below poverty line

34.7% (2010 est.)

Public debt

14.7% of GDP (2012 est.) 12.8% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$4.994 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $4.983 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$10.11 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $8.452 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$213.6 million (31 December 2012 est.) $121.3 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$4.145 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $3.627 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$9.747 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $7.786 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$4.135 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $3.642 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

18.1% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.9% (2012 est.) 6.6% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

3.987 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

2,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)

Electricity - consumption

6.778 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

46.12 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

0.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

99.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

8.816 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

53.53 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

26,820 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

31,290 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

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)

Internet users

1.105 million (2009)

Telephone system

the fixed-line market is a state monopoly and fixed-line telephone service is meager; principal switching center is in Asuncion deficiencies in provision of fixed-line service have resulted in a rapid expansion of mobile-cellular services fostered by competition among multiple providers country code - 595; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2010)

domestic

deficiencies in provision of fixed-line service have resulted in a rapid expansion of mobile-cellular services fostered by competition among multiple providers

general assessment

the fixed-line market is a state monopoly and fixed-line telephone service is meager; principal switching center is in Asuncion

international

country code - 595; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2010)

Telephones - main lines in use

376,000 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

6.79 million (2012)

Airports

799 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

5 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

7

914 to 1,523 m

5 (2013)

over 3,047 m

3

total

15

Airports - with unpaved runways

471 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

23

914 to 1,523 m

290

total

784

Merchant marine

cargo 13, container 3, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 6 (Argentina 5, Netherlands 1) (2010)

foreign-owned

6 (Argentina 5, Netherlands 1) (2010)

total

19

Ports and terminals

Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion

Railways

36 km 36 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)

total

36 km

Roadways

32,059 km 4,860 km 27,199 km (2010)

total

32,059 km

unpaved

27,199 km (2010)

Waterways

3,100 km (primarily on the Paraguay and Paraná river systems) (2012)

Manpower available for military service

1,678,335 1,675,352 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,675,352 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,678,335

Manpower fit for military service

1,409,859 1,433,037 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,433,037 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,409,859

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

73,367 71,801 (2010 est.)

female

71,801 (2010 est.)

male

73,367

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)

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

1.5% of GDP (2012)

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)

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