Paraguay: health and care

What is the life expectancy in Paraguay?

Life expectancy at birth in Paraguay is 75.8 years in 2026: 73.0 years for men and 78.7 for women, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE) population projections (2024 revision). It was 75.5 years in 2024.

These are model-based estimates and projections, not counts, and assume mortality keeps falling gradually. The projections give a life table for each sex and year up to 2050.

Official sources: INE: national estimates and projections 1950-2050, revision 2024 · INE: population projections

What is the fertility rate in Paraguay?

Paraguay's total fertility rate is 1.91 children per woman in 2026, below the replacement level of about 2.1, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE) projections. The INE projects 97,406 births and 40,601 deaths in 2026, and a crude birth rate of 15.1 per 1,000 people.

The fertility rate is the average number of children a woman would have at current age-specific birth rates. It has fallen from 6.5 in the 1950s. In 2026 births are still projected to outnumber deaths by more than two to one.

Official sources: INE: national estimates and projections 1950-2050, revision 2024

What is the infant mortality rate in Paraguay?

Paraguay's infant mortality rate is 13.7 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2026, down from 14.4 in 2024, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE) population projections.

Infant mortality counts deaths before a child's first birthday. The INE figure is a modelled estimate, consistent with its life tables; the Ministry of Public Health also registers deaths through its vital statistics system, and registered rates can be lower when some deaths are not recorded.

Official sources: INE: national estimates and projections 1950-2050, revision 2024

How many people in Paraguay have health insurance?

71.4% of people in Paraguay had no health insurance in 2024, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE). 21.0% were covered by the social security institute (IPS) and 7.6% by other insurance. In rural areas 83.9% had no insurance.

People without insurance rely on the public health service run by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare. The figures come from the household survey (EPHC) and count the insurance the person considers their main one.

Official sources: INE: population by type of health insurance, EPHC 2022-2024

What is life expectancy in Paraguay?

The UN Population Division puts life expectancy at birth in Paraguay at 74.0 years in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 74.0 years, and Paraguay placed 17th highest of 33. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 94th highest.

What is Paraguay's infant mortality rate?

14.5 per 1,000: that is the infant mortality rate in Paraguay for 2024, according to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 12.1 per 1,000, and Paraguay placed 12th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 87th of 192.

What is the maternal mortality rate in Paraguay?

According to the WHO, the maternal mortality ratio in Paraguay was 58.0 per 100,000 in 2023. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 15th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 55.0 per 100,000. World rank, highest first: 90th of 192.

What share of GDP does Paraguay spend on health care?

The WHO puts current health spending in Paraguay at 8.4% of GDP in 2023. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 7th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 6.8% of GDP. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 54th highest.

How much of health care in Paraguay do patients pay for?

The WHO puts out-of-pocket health spending in Paraguay at 36.3% in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2008, at 60.5%; its low point was 2021, at 35.9%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 29.3%; Paraguay is 12th highest of 33. Worldwide: 64th of 191.

How many doctors does Paraguay have?

According to the WHO, the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Paraguay was 3.9 per 1,000 in 2022. That compares with 1.4 per 1,000 in 2012. It is 3rd highest of 12 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 2.6 per 1,000. Worldwide: 26th of 125.

How many hospital beds per person does Paraguay have?

The WHO puts hospital beds per 1,000 people in Paraguay at 1.0 per 1,000 in 2022. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 1.1 per 1,000; its low point was 2007, at 0.80 per 1,000. Latin America & Caribbean median: 2.0 per 1,000; Paraguay is 26th highest of 30. Worldwide: 96th of 110.

What is the measles vaccination rate in Paraguay?

The latest figure from WHO and UNICEF, for 2024, is 90.0%. The peak was 93.0% in 2010 and the low 54.0% in 2022. Latin America & Caribbean median: 89.5%; Paraguay is 15th highest of 32. Worldwide: 92nd of 191.