United States. Central Intelligence Agency

“ Economy Paraguay Economy - overview: Paraguay has a market economy marked by a large informal sector. The informal sector features both reexport of imported consumer goods to neighboring countries as well as the activities of thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. Because of the importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measures are difficult to obtain. A large percentage of the population derives their living from agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis. ”

“ On a per capita basis, real income has stagnated at 1980 levels. Most observers attribute Paraguay's poor economic performance to political uncertainty, corruption, lack of progress on structural reform, substantial internal and external debt, and deficient infrastructure. ”

“ Military Paraguay Military branches: Army, Navy (includes Naval Air and Marines) , Air Force Military manpower - military age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months for Army, 24 months for Navy (2004) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,504,407 (2004 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,084,087 (2004 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 63,386 (2004 est.) ”