Paraguay Population

Population Distribution

As of 2023, the latest population of Paraguay is 7,191,685, based on our calculation of the current data from UN (United Nations).

People in Paraguay

Almost 7 million people live in Paraguay. Only 5 percent of them, around 350,000 people, live in the western part, the dry Chaco landscape. All others live in the east of Paraguay, 2.6 million in the region around the capital Asunción alone.

In surveys in 2012 and 2013, Paraguayans (along with the residents of Panama) described themselves as the happiest people in the world.

90 to 95 percent of the population describe themselves as mestizos, descendants of Indians with whites. With this high number, Paraguay has one of the most uniform population groups in Latin America. Almost 2 percent describe themselves as Indians and therefore belong to the indigenous population.

Black slaves from Africa were also brought into Paraguay during colonial times. Today only a few black people live in the country. The numbers vary between 1 and 4 percent. Like the majority of the population, they speak the Guaraní language.

The Mennonites are a minority. They originally come from German-speaking areas, where they were persecuted because of their religion. You belong to the Anabaptists. About 30,000 Mennonites live in Paraguay. They are a small but economically successful group. Above all, the dairy industry was built up by them.

Guaraní

The Guaraní are the largest indigenous group in Paraguay. The Guaraní live in the east of the country. Sometimes all Paraguayans are referred to as guaraní and the country’s soccer team also has this nickname. Even the currency was called that!

There are other indigenous peoples in eastern Paraguay. But these peoples are small, for example the Aché (around 1500 people) or the Chamacoco (1800 people). The Aché still live as hunters and gatherers. So they are nomads and move from one camp to the next.

Guaycurú and other peoples in the Chaco

The Guaycurú include the Mocovíes and Toba. They live in western Paraguay, in the Chaco. There are also other smaller indigenous peoples here, for example the Sanapaná or the Guaná.

• Children: Every woman in Paraguay has an average of 2.5 children. With us, every woman has an average of 1.4 children. A quarter of the population (25 percent) is under 14 years old. In Germany only 13 percent are under 14 years old.
• Urban and rural: 60 percent of Paraguay’s residents live in cities. So 40 percent live in the country.
• Age: The average age is 28 years. The average age in Germany is 47 years.

Languages in Paraguay

Spanish and Guaraní

Spanish is one of two official languages ​​in Paraguay. The other official language is Guaraní, the language of the Guaraní people. In fact, 85 percent of the population speak Guarani as their mother tongue, only 11 percent speak Spanish. This makes Paraguay an exception among the Latin American countries.

Most of the residents are at least bilingual: 95 percent speak Guaraní, 90 percent Spanish. Many people speak a mixture of both languages. Typical for the Guaraní in Paraguay is an admixture of many Spanish words. This variant of the Guaraní is also called Jopara-Guaraní.

Seseo and Voseo

The Spanish spoken in Paraguay is also different from the Spanish spoken in Spain. While in Spain, for example, the c is usually pronounced like an English th, i.e. between the teeth (as in through), in Paraguay (and throughout Latin America) the c is pronounced like a sharp s (as in see). This is called Seseo. Voseo is the name given to the peculiarity that instead of tu (for “you”) vos is said. This is common in Paraguay, tu is hardly needed.

Words from the Guaraní

Incidentally, in German we use a few words that originally come from the Guaraní. These include the words tapir, jaguar, pineapple, cassava, passion fruit, rhea and piranha.

Religions in Paraguay

88 percent of the population are Catholics (Roman Catholic). 8 percent belong to a Protestant church. So the vast majority are Christians.

Paraguay Overview

Paraguay, situated in the heart of South America, is renowned for its rich Guarani culture, lush landscapes, and vibrant folk music. Its capital city, Asunción, is known for its colonial architecture, bustling street markets, and lively cultural scene. Paraguay is famous for its traditional yerba mate tea, produced from the native yerba mate plant and enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. The country’s Guarani heritage is celebrated through its music, dance, and art, while its natural wonders, including the Paraguay River and the Pantanal wetlands, offer opportunities for eco-tourism and wildlife observation.

• Capital City: Asunción
• Population: Approximately 7.3 million
• Area: 406,752 square kilometers
• Full Country Name: Republic of Paraguay
• Currency: Paraguayan Guarani (PYG)
• Language: Spanish, Guarani
• ISO Country Codes: PY, PRY

Bordering Countries of Paraguay

Paraguay is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Argentina is the largest of Paraguay’s bordering countries, with a length of approximately 2,780 km (1,722 mi). The boundary line between Paraguay and Argentina begins at the confluence of the Paraná and Paraguay rivers in the east and extends westward along a line that roughly follows latitude 27° S to a point on the Pilcomayo River. From there, it follows the Pilcomayo westward until it reaches latitude 22° S. Then it turns north along longitude 57° W to its terminus at latitude 22° S.

Brazil shares a 1,290 km (800 mi) border with Paraguay that begins in the northeast corner of Paraguayan territory at latitude 22° S. This boundary follows longitude 54º W until it reaches latitude 19º S where it turns westward along parallel 19º S until reaching longitude 57º W. At this point, it turns southward along this meridian until reaching its terminus at latitude 22º S. Lastly, Bolivia has a 750 km (466 mi) border with Paraguay that starts in the northwest corner of Paraguayan territory at latitude 22º S. The boundary then follows longitude 57º W southward until reaching its terminus at latitude 17ºS.