Page last updated on January 31, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Central South America, northeast of Argentina, southwest of Brazil
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
23 00 S, 58 00 W
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
South America
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 406,752 sq km
country comparison to the world: 60
land: 397,302 sq km
water: 9,450 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly smaller than California
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 3,995 km
border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,365 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (landlocked)
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m
highest point: Cerro Pero 842 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 9.59%
permanent crops: 0.22%
other: 90.19% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
670 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
336 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 0.49 cu km/yr (20%/8%/71%)
per capita: 88.05 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal pose health risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; population concentrated in southern part of country
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Paraguayan(s)
adjective: Paraguayan
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%, other 5%
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Spanish (official), Guarani (official)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Roman Catholic 89.6%, Protestant 6.2%, other Christian 1.1%, other or unspecified 1.9%, none 1.1% (2002 census)
Demographic profile:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6,623,252 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 61 %
youth dependency ratio: 52.2 %
elderly dependency ratio: 8.8 %
potential support ratio: 11.4 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 26.3 years
male: 26.1 years
female: 26.5 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.23% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
16.95 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.61 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 61% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 2.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ASUNCION (capital) 1.977 million (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22.9
note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2008 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
99 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 74
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 21.48 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 86
male: 25.21 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 17.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 76.6 years
country comparison to the world: 74
male: 73.97 years
female: 79.35 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.01 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
79.4%
note: percent of women aged 15-44 (2008)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.7% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 29
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.11 physicians/1,000 population (2002)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.3% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 500 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Major infectious diseases:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: dengue fever (2013)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.9% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 110
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.4% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 102
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.1% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 108
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 93.9%
male: 94.8%
female: 92.9% (2010 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2010)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total number: 205,297
percentage: 15 % (2004 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 11.2%
country comparison to the world: 104
male: 9%
female: 14.6% (2012)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay
conventional short form: Paraguay
local long form: Republica del Paraguay
local short form: Paraguay
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
constitutional republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14 May 1811 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 14 May 1811 (observed 15 May)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
several previous; latest approved and promulgated 20 June 1992; amended 2011 (2011)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
civil law system with influences from Argentine, Spanish, Roman, and French civil law models; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal and compulsory until the age of 75
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
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 the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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%
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Alianza Patriotica por el Cambio (Patriotic Alliance for Change) or APC
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Ahorristas Estafados or AE
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Fernando Antonio PFANNL Caballero (since 9 January 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
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lion
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$40.43 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$25.72 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-1.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$6,100 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 69.1%
government consumption: 12.7%
investment in fixed capital: 15.1%
investment in inventories: 0.4%
exports of goods and services: 51.3%
imports of goods and services: -48.6%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 16.3%
industry: 18.2%
services: 65.5% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel, metallurgic, electric power
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.137 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 26.5%
industry: 18.5%
services: 55% (2008)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
34.7% (2010 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 1%
highest 10%: 41.1% (2010 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
53.2 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 13
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $4.664 billion
expenditures: $5.109 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-1.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.5% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
29.1% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$4.135 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$10.11 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$9.747 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$958.1 million (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 116
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$115.6 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$11.9 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, wood, leather
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Uruguay 17.7%, Brazil 16.4%, Argentina 15.6%, Russia 12% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$11.06 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products, electrical machinery, tractors, chemicals, vehicle parts
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Brazil 24.2%, China 19.5%, Argentina 18.3%, US 11.5% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$4.994 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$5.985 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$4.145 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$213.6 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
guarani (PYG) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
53.53 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.778 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
46.12 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.816 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
99.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 174
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
26,820 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
31,290 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 182
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.987 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
376,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 107
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.79 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 95
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6 privately owned TV stations; about 75 commercial and community radio stations; 1 state-owned radio network (2010)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.py
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
280,658 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 65
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.105 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 94
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
799 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 9
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 784
1,524 to 2,437 m: 23
914 to 1,523 m: 290
under 914 m:
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 36 km
country comparison to the world: 132
standard gauge: 36 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 32,059 km
country comparison to the world: 95
paved: 4,860 km
unpaved: 27,199 km (2010)
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,100 km (primarily on the Paraguay and ParanĂ¡ river systems) (2012)
country comparison to the world: 33
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
river port(s): Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion (Parana)
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 1,678,335
females age 16-49: 1,675,352 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 1,409,859
females age 16-49: 1,433,037 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 73,367
female: 71,801 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.66% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 168
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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