> > Home >> South America > > Paraguay
Paraguay Population (2026 Overview)
Paraguay, officially the Republic of Paraguay, is a landlocked country in South America. It shares borders with Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia. Paraguay has a diverse cultural heritage and a population that reflects both Indigenous and European ancestry.
According to the UN World Population Prospects, the estimated population of Paraguay in 2026 is 7,113,876 (around 7.1 million).
Census Snapshot / Quick Facts (2026 Estimates)
| Indicator | Data |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 7,113,876 (2026 estimate) |
| Land Area | 406,752 sq. km (157,048 sq. mi) |
| Population Density | 17 people/sq. km |
| Capital City | Asunción |
| Urban Population | 61% |
| Major Religions | Christianity (91.6%), Other 1%, Unaffiliated 7.6% |
| Ethnic Composition | Mestizo 70%, White 30%, Indigenous 1.68%, Other <1% |
Historical Population
| Year | Population | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 1,875,000 | — |
| 1960 | 2,364,000 | +2.2% |
| 1970 | 2,882,000 | +2.1% |
| 1980 | 3,481,000 | +1.9% |
| 1990 | 4,209,000 | +1.9% |
| 2000 | 5,096,000 | +1.9% |
| 2010 | 6,046,000 | +1.7% |
| 2020 | 6,838,000 | +1.2% |
| 2026 | 7,113,876 | +0.8% |
Source: UN World Population Prospects
Religion in Paraguay
Christianity is the predominant religion in Paraguay, with 91.6% of the population identifying as Christian. Among these, Roman Catholics form the vast majority, followed by various Protestant denominations.
According to the 2020 report by the Latino Barometer, the religious composition of Paraguay is:
| Religion / Affiliation | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Christianity | 91.6% |
| – Catholic | 84.3% |
| – Evangelical (Protestant) | 6.6% |
| – Evangelical Baptism | 0.3% |
| – Adventist | 0.1% |
| – Mormon | 0.2% |
| – Other Protestant | 0.1% |
| Other Faiths | 1% |
| – African American Cults / Umbanda | 0.3% |
| – Believer, not belonging to the church | 0.7% |
| Unaffiliated / No religion | 7.6% |
| – Atheist | 0.2% |
| – None | 6.6% |
| – No answer / Don’t know | 0.8% |
Minor non-Christian religions include Judaism, Islam, Baháʼí Faith, and Buddhism, mostly among immigrant communities.
Race and Ethnicity in Paraguay
Paraguay’s population reflects centuries of Indigenous Guarani heritage, Spanish colonization, and limited African and immigrant influence. While Paraguay does not collect official race data in its census, Latinobarómetro 2024 provides the most recent nationwide insight based on self-identified race and ethnicity.
Racial / Ethnic Composition of Paraguay
| Race / Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Mestizo | 42.2% |
| White | 23.3% |
| Indigenous | 10.5% |
| Black | 6.8% |
| Mulatto | 4.5% |
| Asian | 0.4% |
| Other race | 2.4% |
| Don’t know | 8.5% |
| Does not answer | 1.2% |
Source: Latinobarómetro 2024
Key Race & Ethnicity Insights
Mestizos (mainly Guarani–European ancestry) remain the largest group, though at a much lower share than older estimates suggested.
White Paraguayans, largely of Spanish descent with smaller German and Italian communities, represent about one-quarter of the population.
Indigenous identity is more prominent than previously reported, with over 10% self-identifying as Indigenous.
Afro-descendant populations (Black and Mulatto combined) account for more than 11%, higher than older historical estimates.
Asian Paraguayans, including Japanese, Chinese, and Korean descendants, form a very small but established minority.
A sizable share of respondents did not select a racial category, highlighting the fluid nature of racial identity in Paraguay.
Largest Cities in Paraguay by Population
Paraguay’s urban landscape is dominated by cities in the Central and Alto Paraná departments, with Asunción, the capital, being the largest city and the political and economic center of the country. Other major cities such as Ciudad del Este, Luque, and San Lorenzo contribute to the commercial and industrial activity of Paraguay. The country’s urban population is concentrated mainly in the eastern regions, while the western Chaco region remains sparsely populated.
| # | City | Department | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asunción | Capital District | 521,101 |
| 2 | Ciudad del Este | Alto Paraná | 306,679 |
| 3 | Luque | Central | 286,053 |
| 4 | San Lorenzo | Central | 260,171 |
| 5 | Capiatá | Central | 245,013 |
| 6 | Lambaré | Central | 185,524 |
| 7 | Fernando de la Mora | Central | 183,390 |
| 8 | Limpio | Central | 155,465 |
| 9 | Ñemby | Central | 148,579 |
| 10 | Encarnación | Itapúa | 138,592 |
| 11 | Caaguazú | Caaguazú | 127,328 |
| 12 | Coronel Oviedo | Caaguazú | 125,893 |
| 13 | Pedro Juan Caballero | Amambay | 123,784 |
| 14 | Itauguá | Central | 115,140 |
| 15 | Mariano Roque Alonso | Central | 107,800 |
| 16 | Presidente Franco | Alto Paraná | 107,687 |
| 17 | Minga Guazú | Alto Paraná | 93,969 |
| 18 | Concepción | Concepción | 88,559 |
| 19 | Itá | Central | 83,610 |
| 20 | Villa Elisa | Central | 82,491 |
English
Español
Português
Deutsch