Paraguay

Paraguay

Introduction

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 all 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 then.

Geography

Location

Central South America, northeast of Argentina, southwest of Brazil

Geographic coordinates

23 00 S, 58 00 W

Map references

South America

Area

total: 406,752 sq km
country comparison to the world: 60 land:397,302 sq km
water:9,450 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly smaller than California

Land boundaries

total: 3,995 km
border countries:Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,365 km

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Climate

subtropical to temperate

substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west

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

Elevation extremes

lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m
highest point:Cerro Pero 842 m

Natural resources

hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone

Land use

arable land: 7.47%
permanent crops:0.24%
other:92.29% (2005)

Irrigated land

670 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

336 cu km (2000)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.49cu km/yr (20%/8%/71%)
per capita:80cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

local flooding in southeast (early September to June)

poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)

Environment – current issues

deforestation

water pollution

inadequate means for waste disposal pose health risks for many urban residents

loss of wetlands

Environment – international 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

Geography – note

landlocked

lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil

population concentrated in southern part of country

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Paraguayan(s)
adjective:Paraguayan

Ethnic groups

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

Languages

Spanish (official), Guarani (official)

Religions

Roman Catholic 89.6%, Protestant 6.2%, other Christian 1.1%, other or unspecified 1.9%, none 1.1% (2002 census)

Population

6,459,058 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105

Age structure

0-14 years: 28.5% (male 936,298/female 905,285)
15-64 years:65.4% (male 2,121,632/female 2,100,740)
65 years and over:6.1% (male 183,440/female 211,663) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 25.4 years
male:25.1 years
female:25.6 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

1.284% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92

Birth rate

17.48 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113

Death rate

4.57 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198

Net migration rate

-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119

Urbanization

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

Major cities – population

ASUNCION (capital) 1.977 million (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years:1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.86 male(s)/female
total population:1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

95 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 73

Infant mortality rate

total: 23.02 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 86 male:26.94 deaths/1,000 live births
female:18.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 76.19 years
country comparison to the world: 74 male:73.59 years
female:78.93 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.11 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116

Health expenditures

7.1% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 78

Physicians density

1.11 physicians/1,000 population (2002)
country comparison to the world: 98

Hospital bed density

1.3 beds/1,000 population (2009)
country comparison to the world: 133

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 99% of population
rural: 66% of population
total: 86% of population
unimproved:
urban: 1% of population
rural: 34% of population
total: 14% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 90% of population
rural: 40% of population
total: 70% of population
unimproved:
urban: 10% of population
rural: 60% of population
total: 30% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.3% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

13,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90

HIV/AIDS – deaths

fewer than 500 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases:bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease:dengue fever and malaria (2009)

Education expenditures

4% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 105

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:94%
male:94.9%
female:93% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 12 years
male:12 years
female:12 years (2007)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 11.8%
country comparison to the world: 92 male:8.7%
female:16.8% (2008)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay
conventional short form:Paraguay
local long form:Republica del Paraguay
local short form:Paraguay

Government type

constitutional republic

Capital

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 second Sunday in April

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

Independence

14 May 1811 (from Spain)

National holiday

Independence Day, 14 May 1811 (observed 15 May)

Constitution

promulgated 20 June 1992

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

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal and compulsory up to age 75

Executive branch

chief of state: President Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez (since 15 August 2008)

Vice President Luis Federico FRANCO Gomez (since 15 August 2008)

note – the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government:President Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez (since 15 August 2008)

Vice President Luis Federico FRANCO Gomez (since 15 August 2008)
cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single five-year term

election last held on 20 April 2008 (next to be held in April 2013)
election results:Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez elected president

percent of vote – Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez 40.8%, Blanca OVELAR 30.6%, Lino OVIEDO 21.9%, Pedro FADUL 2.4%, other 4.3%

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)
elections:Chamber of Senators – last held on 20 April 2008 (next to be held in April 2013)

Chamber of Deputies – last held on 20 April 2008 (next to be held in April 2013)
election results:Chamber of Senators – percent of vote by party – NA

seats by party – ANR 15, PLRA 14, UNACE 9, PPQ 4, other 3

Chamber of Deputies – percent of vote by party – NA

seats by party – ANR 30, PLRA 27, UNACE 15, PPQ 3, APC 2, other 3

note – as of 1 January 2010, the composition of the Chamber of Deputies is ANR 30, PLRA 29, UNACE 15, PPQ 4, other 2

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judges proposed by the Council of Magistrates or Consejo de la Magistratura, and approved by the Senate and president)

Political parties and leaders

Alianza Patriotica por el Cambio (Patriotic Alliance for Change) or APC [Fernando LUGO]

Asociacion Nacional Republicana – Colorado Party or ANR [Lilian SAMANIEGO]

Movimiento Popolar Tekojoja or Tekojoja [Sixto PEREIRA]

Movimiento Union Nacional de Ciudadanos Eticos or UNACE [Lino Cesar OVIEDO Silva]

Patria Querida (Beloved Fatherland Party) or PPQ [Pedro Nicolas Maraa FADUL Niella]

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 [Amanda NUNEZ]

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]

International organization participation

CAN (associate), 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, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Rigoberto GAUTO Vielman
chancery:2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962
FAX:[1] (202) 234-4508
consulate(s) general:Kansas City (Kansas), Los Angeles, Miami, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Liliana AYALDE
embassy:1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion
mailing address:Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001
telephone:[595] (21) 213-715
FAX:[595] (21) 228-603

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
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)

lion

National anthem

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

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 14.5% level in 2010, the highest in South America. Political uncertainty, corruption, limited progress on structural reform, and deficient infrastructure are the main obstacles to growth.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$33.31 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105 $28.89 billion (2009 est.)
$30.05 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$18.48 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

15.3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2 -3.8% (2009 est.)
5.8% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$5,200 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144 $4,600 (2009 est.)
$4,800 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 24.9%
industry:21.2%
services:53.9% (2010 est.)

Labor force

3.033 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 26.5%
industry:18.5%
services:55% (2008)

Unemployment rate

7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70 7.9% (2009 est.)

Population below poverty line

18.8% (2009 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1.4%
highest 10%:41% (2008)

Distribution of family income – Gini index

53.2 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 16 57.7 (1998)

Investment (gross fixed)

15.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161

Budget

revenues: $3.386 billion
expenditures:$3.22 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

18.3% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0.9% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32

Public debt

19.3% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112 22.6% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145 2.6% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

6% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9 20% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

26.04% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7 28.26% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$3.169 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109 $2.774 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$7.633 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110 $6.377 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$5.207 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111 $3.909 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 111 $409.1 million
$409.1 million (31 December 2006)

Agriculture – products

cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), fruits, vegetables

beef, pork, eggs, milk

timber

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

6.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64

Electricity – production

54.91 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45

Electricity – consumption

8.5 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90

Electricity – exports

45.13 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

45.13 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210

Oil – consumption

31,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114

Oil – exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201

Oil – imports

23,810 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107

Oil – proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112

Natural gas – consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168

Natural gas – proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179

Current account balance

-$596.3 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117 $42.9 million (2009 est.)

Exports

$8.312 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96 $5.805 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, electricity, wood, leather

Exports – partners

Uruguay 16.2%, Brazil 12.8%, Chile 10%, Argentina 8.1%, Italy 5%, Netherlands 4.4%, Spain 4.3%, Turkey 4.2%, Germany 4.2% (2010)

Imports

$9.839 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91 $6.837 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products, electrical machinery, tractors, chemicals, vehicle parts

Imports – partners

Brazil 27.7%, China 17.6%, US 16.6%, Argentina 15.2% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$4.167 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92 $3.862 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$4.545 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116 $4.323 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$3.393 million (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 91 $3.053 million (31 December 2009)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$NA

Exchange rates

guarani (PYG) per US dollar -
4,767.6 (2010)
4,965.4 (2009)
4,337.7 (2008)
5,031 (2007)
5,672.8 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

800 (2010)
country comparison to the world:9

Airports – with paved runways

total: 15
over 3,047 m:3
1,524 to 2,437 m:7
914 to 1,523 m:5 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 785
1,524 to 2,437 m:25
914 to 1,523 m:290
under 914 m:470 (2010)

Railways

total: 36 km
country comparison to the world: 132 standard gauge:36 km 1.435-m gauge (2010)

Roadways

total: 29,500 km
country comparison to the world: 98 paved:14,986 km
unpaved:14,514 km (2001)

Waterways

3,100 km (primarily on the Paraguay and Paran? river systems) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 32

Merchant marine

total: 23
country comparison to the world: 97 by type:cargo 15, carrier 1, container 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned:6 (Argentina 5, Netherlands 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion

Military

Military branches

Armed Forces Command (Commando de las Fuerzas Militares): Army, National Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Marine Corps, Naval Aviation), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Paraguay, FAP), Logistics Command, War Materiel Directorate (2011)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service

conscript service obligation – 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 (2010)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 1,678,335
females age 16-49:1,675,352 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,409,859
females age 16-49:1,433,037 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 73,367
female:71,801 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

1% of GDP (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129

Transnational Issues

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