Paraguay: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Paraguay — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
6,956,071
#106 of 197 countries
Area
406,752 km²
#61 of 248 countries
Density
17.1 / km²
#209 of 245 countries

Paraguay has a population of 6,956,071 spread across 406,752 km², giving it an average density of 17.1 people per km². With such low density, expect wide open spaces and a sense of remoteness outside major cities.

Demographics

Median Age
32.3
Life Expectancy
78.8 yrs
Literacy Rate
94.9%
Government
presidential republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Paraguay is classified as an upper middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 36% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here — accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.

Income Level
Upper middle income
GDP per Capita
$6,300
Cost of Living
36% of US
Inflation
4.6%
Inequality
44.4
High
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$16,300
Unemployment
6.1%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 0.8% of Paraguay's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.

Tourism Revenue
$104,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
0.8%
Outbound Tourists
214,000
Air Passengers
407,865
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Paraguay has 3.89 physicians per 1,000 people, above the global average, indicating strong healthcare infrastructure.

Physicians
3.89/1k
Hospital Beds
1.04/1k
Health Spend
$527/person
Infant Mortality
15.1/1k
Immunization
90%
Safe Drinking Water
99.6%
Basic Sanitation
95.9%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Paraguay, 78% of the population uses the internet — WiFi is available in cities and tourist areas, but coverage may be patchy in rural regions. There are 127 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Internet Users
78.1%
Mobile Subs
127/100
Broadband
12.9/100
Electricity Access
99.8%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data