Factbook dossier
Background
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 16 th 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.
Location
Central South America, northeast of Argentina, southwest of Brazil
Area
total : 406,752 sq km land: 397,302 sq km water: 9,450 sq km
Natural resources
hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone
Natural hazards
local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)
Population
total: 7,604,044 (2025 est.) male: 3,809,407 female: 3,794,637
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.) major-language sample(s): La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de informaci n b sica. (Spanish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: data represent predominant household language
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.)
Environmental issues
deforestation; water pollution; toxic dumping in rivers and streams; loss of wetlands; inadequate means for waste disposal in urban areas
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Asunci n geographic coordinates: 25 16 S, 57 40 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) 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
Executive branch
chief of state: President Santiago PE A Palacios (since 15 August 2023) head of government: President Santiago PE A Palacios (since 15 August 2023) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president election/appointment process: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by simple-majority popular vote for a single 5-year term most recent election date: 30 April 2023 election results: 2023: Santiago PE A Palacios elected president; percent of vote - Santiago PE A Palacios (ANR) 43.9%, Efra n ALEGRE (PLRA) 28.3%, Paraguayo "Payo" CUBAS Colom s (PCN) 23.6%, other 4.2% 2018: Mario ABDO BEN TEZ elected president; percent of vote - Mario ABDO BEN TEZ (ANR) 49%, Efra n ALEGRE (PLRA) 45.1%, other 5.9% expected date of next election: April 2028 note : the president is both chief of state and head of government
Legislative branch
legislature name: Congress (Congreso) legislative structure: bicameral
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$112.919 billion (2024 est.) $108.316 billion (2023 est.) $103.159 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP per capita
$16,300 (2024 est.) $15,800 (2023 est.) $15,300 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
3.8% (2024 est.) 4.6% (2023 est.) 9.8% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Exports - partners
Argentina 33%, Brazil 25%, Chile 10%, USA 2%, Uruguay 2% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Imports - partners
China 33%, Brazil 24%, USA 8%, Argentina 7%, Germany 2% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Military and security forces
Armed Forces of Paraguay (Fuerzas Armadas de Paraguay; aka Armed Forces of the Nation or Fuerzas Armadas de la Naci n): Paraguayan Army (Ej rcito Paraguayo), Paraguayan Navy (Armada Paraguaya; includes marines), Paraguayan Air Force (Fuerza A rea Paraguaya) Ministry of Internal Affairs: National Police of Paraguay (Polic a Nacional del Paraguay, PNP) (2025)
Military expenditures
0.8% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.8% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.8% of GDP (2022 est.) 1% of GDP (2021 est.) 1% of GDP (2020 est.)