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 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
Central South America, northeast of Argentina, southwest of Brazil
Geographic coordinates
23 00 S, 58 00 W
Area (sq km)
total: 406,752 sq km
land: 397,302 sq km
water: 9,450 sq km
Area - comparative (sq km)
slightly smaller than California
Land boundaries (km)
total: 3,995 km
border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,365 km
Coastline (km)
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 (m)
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: 9.59%
permanent crops: 0.22%
other: 90.19% (2011)
Irrigated land (sq km)
670 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources (cu km)
336 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural) ()
total: 0.49 cu km/yr (20%/8%/71%)
per capita: 88.05 cu 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)
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.
Population
6,703,860 (July 2014 est.) evolution and prospects (1950-2100)
Age structure (%)
0-14 years: 26.2% (male 892,315/female 861,915)
15-24 years: 20.5% (male 691,365/female 683,653)
25-54 years: 39.5% (male 1,326,281/female 1,323,194)
55-64 years: 7.2% (male 246,869/female 236,564)
65 years and over: 6.4% (male 206,089/female 235,615) (2014 est.)
Median age (years)
total: 26.8 years
male: 26.6 years
female: 27 years (2014 est.)
Population growth rate (%)
1.19% (2014 est.)
Birth rate (births/1,000 population)
16.66 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)
Death rate (deaths/1,000 population)
4.64 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)
Net migration rate (migrant(s)/1,000 population)
-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)
Urbanization (%)
urban population: 61.9% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 2.55% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population
ASUNCION (capital) 2.139 million (2011)
Sex ratio (male(s)/female)
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: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2014 est.)
Maternal mortality rate (deaths/100,000 live births)
99 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
Infant mortality rate (deaths/1,000 live births)
total: 20.75 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 24.39 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 16.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)
Life expectancy at birth (years)
total population: 76.8 years
male: 74.16 years
female: 79.56 years (2014 est.)
Total fertility rate (children born/woman)
1.96 children born/woman (2014 est.)
Health expenditures (% of GDP)
9.7% of GDP (2011)
Physicians density (physicians/1,000 population)
1.11 physicians/1,000 population (2002)
Hospital bed density (beds/1,000 population)
1.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Drinking water source (% of population)
improved: urban: 100% of population
rural: 83.4% of population
total: 93.8% of population
unimproved: urban: 0% of population
rural: 16.6% of population
total: 6.2% of population (2012 est.)
Sanitation facility access (% of population)
improved: urban: 96.1% of population
rural: 52.5% of population
total: 79.7% of population
unimproved: urban: 3.9% of population
rural: 47.5% of population
total: 20.3% of population (2012 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate (%)
0.3% (2012 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
13,100 (2012 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths
300 (2012 est.)
Major infectious diseases
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: dengue fever (2013)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate (%)
17.9% (2008)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight (%)
3.4% (2005)
Education expenditures (% of GDP)
4.8% of GDP (2011)
Literacy (%)
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) (years)
total: 13 years
male: 12 years
female: 13 years (2011)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24 (%)
total: 11.2%
male: 9%
female: 14.6% (2012)
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 fourth Sunday in March
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
several previous; latest approved and promulgated 20 June 1992; amended 2011 (2011)
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 until the age of 75
Executive branch
chief of state: President Horacio CARTES (since 15 August 2013); Vice President Juan AFARA Maciel (since 15 August 2013); note - the president is both 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
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
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
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
Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR [Lilian SAMANIEGO]
Avanza Pais coalition [Adolfo FERREIRO]
Broad Front coalition (Frente Guasu) or FG [Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez]
Movimiento Union Nacional de Ciudadanos Eticos or UNACE [Jorge OVIEDO MATTO]
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 [Desiree MASI]
Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN [Fernando CAMACHO Paredes]
Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA [Miguel ABDON SAGUIER]
Partido Pais Solidario or PPS [Carlos Alberto FILIZZOLA Pallares]
Partido Popular Tekojoja [Sixto PEREIRA]
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), 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, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), 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
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Francisco BARREIRO (since 31 October 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
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
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 13% level in 2010, the highest in South America, but slowed in 2011-12 as the stimulus subsided and severe drought and outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease led to a drop in beef and other agricultural exports. The economy took another leap in 2013, largely due to strong export growth. Political uncertainty, corruption, limited progress on structural reform, and deficient infrastructure are the main obstacles to long-term growth.
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$45.9 billion (2013 est.)
$40.98 billion (2012 est.)
$41.49 billion (2011 est.)
note: data are in 2013 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate)
$30.56 billion (2013 est.)
GDP - real growth rate (%)
12% (2013 est.)
-1.2% (2012 est.)
4.3% (2011 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$6,800 (2013 est.)
$6,100 (2012 est.)
$6,300 (2011 est.)
note: data are in 2013 US dollars
GDP - composition, by sector of origin (%)
agriculture: 20.4%
industry: 17.7%
services: 61.9% (2013 est.)
Labor force
3.19 million (2013 est.)
Labor force - by occupation (%)
agriculture: 26.5%
industry: 18.5%
services: 55% (2008)
Unemployment rate (%)
6.6% (2013 est.)
6.9% (2012 est.)
Population below poverty line (%)
34.7% (2010 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share (%)
lowest 10%: 1%
highest 10%: 41.1% (2010 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index
53.2 (2009)
57.7 (1998)
Budget
revenues: $5.788 billion
expenditures: $6.287 billion (2013 est.)
Taxes and other revenues (% of GDP)
18.9% of GDP (2013 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) (% of GDP)
-1.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
Public debt (% of GDP)
15.7% of GDP (2013 est.)
14.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) (%)
2.3% (2013 est.)
3.7% (2012 est.)
Central bank discount rate (%)
5.5% (31 December 2012 est.)
6% (31 December 2011 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate (%)
28.9% (31 December 2013 est.)
29.1% (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of narrow money
$4.364 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$4.135 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of broad money
$8.215 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$7.637 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of domestic credit
$11 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$9.747 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares
$962.3 million (31 December 2012 est.)
$958.1 million (31 December 2011)
$NA (31 December 2010 est.)
Agriculture - products
cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (manioc, tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber
Industries
sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel, base metals, electric power
Industrial production growth rate (%)
5.6% (2013 est.)
Current account balance
$1.376 billion (2013 est.)
$115.6 million (2012 est.)
Exports
$14.7 billion (2013 est.)
$11.9 billion (2012 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)
Imports
$12.37 billion (2013 est.)
$11.06 billion (2012 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)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$6.336 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$4.994 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
External debt ($)
$7.013 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$5.985 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$4.526 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$4.145 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
$213.6 million (31 December 2013 est.)
$213.6 million (31 December 2012 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency converter
guarani (PYG) per US dollar -
4,315.1 (2013 est.)
4,424.9 (2012 est.)
4,735.5 (2010 est.)
4,965.4 (2009)
4,337.7 (2008)
Fiscal year
calendar year
Energy
Electricity - production (kWh)
53.53 billion kWh (2010 est.)
Electricity - consumption (kWh)
6.778 billion kWh (2010 est.)
Electricity - exports (kWh)
46.12 billion kWh (2011 est.)
Electricity - imports (kWh)
0 kWh (2012 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity (kW)
8.816 million kW (2010 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels (% of total installed capacity)
0.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels (% of total installed capacity)
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants (% of total installed capacity)
99.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources (% of total installed capacity)
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Crude oil - production (bbl/day)
2,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)
Crude oil - exports (bbl/day)
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Crude oil - imports (bbl/day)
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves (bbl)
0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production (bbl/day)
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption (bbl/day)
26,820 bbl/day (2011 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports (bbl/day)
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports (bbl/day)
31,290 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Natural gas - production (cu m)
0 cu m (2011 est.)
Natural gas - consumption (cu m)
0 cu m (2010 est.)
Natural gas - exports (cu m)
0 cu m (2011 est.)
Natural gas - imports (cu m)
0 cu m (2011 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves (cu m)
0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy (Mt)
3.987 million Mt (2011 est.)
Communications
Telephones - main lines in use
376,000 (2012)
Telephones - mobile cellular
6.79 million (2012)
Telephone system
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
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)
Transportation
Airports
799 (2013)
Airports - with paved runways
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
total: 784
1,524 to 2,437 m: 23
914 to 1,523 m: 290
under 914 m: 471 (2013)
Railways (km)
total: 36 km
standard gauge: 36 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)
Roadways (km)
total: 32,059 km
paved: 4,860 km
unpaved: 27,199 km (2010)
Waterways (km)
3,100 km (primarily on the Paraguay and Paraná river systems) (2012)
Merchant marine
total: 19
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
river port(s): Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion (Parana)
Military
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)
Military service age and obligation (years of age)
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
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 (% of GDP)
1.66% of GDP (2012)
1.16% of GDP (2011)
1.66% of GDP (2010)
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
Largest cities of Paraguay
These are the 50 largest cities of Paraguay ordered based on their number of inhabitants.
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asunción | 508,797 |
| 2 | San Lorenzo | 227,898 |
| 3 | Luque | 209,836 |
| 4 | Capiatá | 198,801 |
| 5 | Lambaré | 126,391 |
| 6 | Fernando de la Mora | 120,180 |
| 7 | Limpio | 96,238 |
| 8 | Nemby | 94,767 |
| 9 | Encarnación | 74,991 |
| 10 | Mariano Roque Alonso | 72,023 |
| 11 | Pedro Juan Caballero | 67,432 |
| 12 | Itauguá | 65,035 |
| 13 | Villa Elisa | 64,138 |
| 14 | San Antonio | 55,759 |
| 15 | Caaguazú | 54,814 |
| 16 | Presidente Franco | 54,303 |
| 17 | Coronel Oviedo | 51,291 |
| 18 | Concepción | 48,127 |
| 19 | Villarrica | 41,160 |
| 20 | Pilar | 25,542 |
| 21 | Caacupé | 21,697 |
| 22 | Itá | 18,461 |
| 23 | Villa Hayes | 16,726 |
| 24 | San Estanislao | 14,751 |
| 25 | Ayolas | 12,064 |
| 26 | Santa Rita | 11,850 |
| 27 | Areguá | 11,224 |
| 28 | Curuguaty | 11,096 |
| 29 | Villeta | 11,031 |
| 30 | San Juan Bautista | 10,935 |
| 31 | Horqueta | 10,533 |
| 32 | Piribebuy | 10,337 |
| 33 | Paraguarí | 10,079 |
| 34 | Tobatí | 9,953 |
| 35 | Coronel Bogado | 9,831 |
| 36 | Ypacarai | 9,656 |
| 37 | San Pedro de Ycuamandiyú | 9,361 |
| 38 | Capitán Bado | 9,115 |
| 39 | Guarambaré | 9,066 |
| 40 | Eusebio Ayala | 8,253 |
| 41 | Filadelfia | 8,049 |
| 42 | San Juan Nepomuceno | 7,894 |
| 43 | Benjamín Aceval | 7,751 |
| 44 | Doctor Juan León Mallorquín | 7,489 |
| 45 | Salto del Guairá | 7,387 |
| 46 | Santa Rosa | 7,257 |
| 47 | Yaguarón | 7,182 |
| 48 | Repatriación | 7,091 |
| 49 | Caazapá | 6,790 |
| 50 | Ypane | 6,659 |