The Country and Its People

BASIC DATA

The gender distribution in the national territory is 50.3% men and 49.7% women.

The age structure of the population shows that 28.2% of the population is under 15 years old, 64.7% are between 15 and 64 years old, and just over 7.1% are 65 years or older.

The average annual population growth rate in Paraguay for 2022 is 1.36% and will experience a slight decrease throughout the period. In 2024, it is expected to be 1.33% annually.

Today, the urban population (63.3%) is larger than the rural population (36.7%), and projections indicate that it will continue to increase. The average number of children per woman in 2022 is 2.4 and will decrease to 2.3 in 2024.

Life expectancy at birth in 2022 is 75.1 years; for women, it is 78.1 years, and for men, it is 72.1 years. In 2022, half of the population is older than 27 years. In 2024, half of the population will be older than 28 years.

The Central Department is the most populated in the country, and together with the population of Asunción, it accounts for 37.7% of the total population, that is, 2,807,111 inhabitants.

Paraguay, officially the Republic of Paraguay  (in Guaraní: Paraguái Tavakuairetã)  , is a landlocked country located in the central region of South America. It is organized as a unitary state, with its territory comprising one capital district and 17 departments. Its capital and most populous city is Asunción. Paraguay’s form of government is a republic governed by the presidential system and organized as a democratic, secular state governed by the rule of law. It is a founding member of Mercosur, along with Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay.

It has an area of 406,752 km², making it the 7th largest country in South America by size.

CLIMA

The Köppen climate classification divides Paraguay into three main climate types: humid subtropical climate, predominant in the southern part of the Eastern Region; tropical savanna climate, predominant in the Chaco (Western Region) and the northern part of the Eastern Region; and hot semi-arid climate, in the northwest of the Chaco (Boquerón Department).

The annual average temperature ranges between 20°C and 25°C across the country, increasing from south to north. Precipitation varies by region. For example: In the southeast of Paraguay, precipitation is abundant year-round (>1700 mm/annually). In the central-north region of the Eastern Region and the tropical Chaco, precipitation drops significantly during the winter season (1300 mm annually). In the semi-arid region of the Chaco, precipitation is almost nonexistent in winter (<800 mm annually). Generally, summer brings the highest rainfall of the year.

Extreme maximum temperatures in summer can exceed 40°C (record: 45°C in 2014), and winter minimum temperatures can drop below 0°C (record: -7.5°C in 2000). The seasons are not well-defined due to the prevailing heat throughout much of the year and proximity to the Tropic of Capricorn. The temperature difference between the warmest and coldest months is approximately 10°C.

ENERGY

100% of the electricity consumed in Paraguay is generated through hydroelectric power, making it one of the countries with the cleanest energy in the world. The country has an installed electric capacity of 8110 MW, producing 63,000,000,000 kWh annually (as of 2016), while internal consumption is only 15,000,000,000 kWh annually. The surplus is sold to Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, making Paraguay the world’s largest exporter of electricity.

The National Electricity Administration (ANDE) oversees the entire electricity market, including generation, distribution, and transmission. It operates 2,100 miles of transmission lines and 670 miles of distribution lines. More than 92% of the country has electricity coverage.

Electrical appliances operate on 200 volts at 50 Hertz.

LANGUAGES

Spanish and Guaraní

POLITICAL SYSTEM

Democracy

RELIGION

Catholicism (90%)

CURRENCY

Guaraní

Transportation Options

TRAFFIC

Those traveling on the busiest street, especially where public transportation operates, have the right of way. Stop signs and obstacles designed to reduce speed, known as speed bumps, warn of dangerous crossings or curves. It is mandatory to use low beams on highways, where tolls must also be paid.

TIP:  If you do not speak fluent Spanish and are driving a rental vehicle, you should avoid traffic fines due to frequent police checks by always carrying the following: a driver’s license and passport, an emergency triangle, spare wheel, tools, flashlight, and fire extinguisher.

Rental Vehicles  At the hotel, we work with companies offering this service, so we can assist you with this. Numerous gas stations ensure fuel supply, except in the most remote parts of the Chaco.

Transport Apps As long as you have a data plan or Wi-Fi signal on your phone, you can use your preferred transport platform. Uber, Muv, and Bolt all operate in the country.

Taxis Taxis are available at stops located within and around cities and can also be ordered by phone. If the vehicle does not have a taximeter, it is advisable to negotiate the price before the trip. The hotel reception can assist you with taxi services within the city.

Public buses , known as colectivos, run almost constantly within and between towns. They stop when someone signals with their hand; official stops only exist in urban centers. You can find a guide to these buses on the JAHA and MAS apps, available for Android and iPhones.

However, the simplest and safest method is to ask, even the driver. Do so before getting on the bus, as the same route often has multiple variations.

Intercity Buses provide an economical alternative to rental cars and flights. These buses operate throughout Paraguay, travel to neighboring countries, and even beyond. They range from modern and comfortable to more basic, depending on the fare. Tickets are sold at the Asunción Bus Terminal. Buses usually depart from this terminal, although in some cases, passengers can board along the route. For more information, visit: https://www.plataforma10.com.py

Domestic and International Flights are currently offered by local and international airlines. The hotel reception can assist you with up-to-date information, as it frequently changes.

For more information, visit: http://www.dinac.gov.py/v3

River traffic operates at a fairly limited level, but there are options in all price categories. For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/cruceroparaguay

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