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Economy of Paraguay vs Uruguay compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Paraguay has a GDP of $44.5B compared to $81B for Uruguay, ranking 98/197 and 81/197 by economy size, respectively.

Paraguay has $19.9B in government debt (44.8% of GDP), compared to $55.6B (68.7% of GDP) in Uruguay.

Paraguay vs Uruguay GDP by year

Paraguay
Uruguay
1x
Year GDP, current $
Paraguay Uruguay
2024 $44,458,118,397 $80,961,511,074
2023 $43,118,053,175 $77,991,666,838
2022 $41,952,910,858 $70,594,110,920
2021 $39,950,899,939 $60,739,084,241
2020 $35,432,178,068 $53,559,359,262
2019 $37,925,338,329 $62,222,313,619
2018 $40,225,448,341 $65,344,577,416
2017 $38,997,129,474 $65,005,997,963
2016 $36,089,700,223 $57,480,787,465
2015 $36,211,447,840 $57,680,327,999
2014 $40,377,929,296 $61,496,186,974
2013 $38,501,122,141 $61,337,621,934
2012 $33,271,921,136 $54,232,266,359
2011 $33,756,238,766 $50,342,406,067
2010 $27,260,886,405 $41,950,361,212
2009 $22,355,151,162 $32,708,319,078
2008 $24,615,267,664 $31,119,602,539
2007 $17,856,393,235 $23,797,773,024
2006 $13,429,430,050 $19,741,420,740
2005 $10,737,500,188 $17,362,857,684
2004 $9,624,440,836 $13,686,329,890
2003 $7,691,367,471 $12,045,638,352
2002 $7,196,260,657 $13,606,515,723
2001 $8,495,806,432 $20,898,761,742
2000 $8,855,705,140 $22,823,270,892
1999 $8,837,070,236 $23,983,945,191
1998 $9,260,481,572 $25,385,886,978
1997 $9,965,225,678 $23,969,739,234
1996 $9,788,391,781 $20,515,458,114
1995 $9,062,131,475 $19,297,663,097
1994 $7,870,982,005 $17,474,588,896
1993 $7,249,533,620 $15,002,136,971
1992 $7,157,424,031 $12,878,148,791
1991 $6,984,367,763 $11,206,176,651
1990 $5,812,114,523 $9,298,807,850
1989 $4,757,732,200 $8,438,951,476
1988 $4,255,683,528 $8,213,538,369
1987 $3,971,044,724 $7,367,494,080
1986 $3,723,993,943 $5,880,112,788
1985 $3,282,449,236 $4,732,017,873
1984 $4,502,462,807 $4,850,238,550
1983 $5,673,248,726 $5,102,276,308
1982 $5,419,411,765 $9,178,780,077
1981 $5,624,515,873 $11,048,301,421
1980 $4,448,087,302 $10,163,020,116
1979 $3,416,777,778 $7,181,182,224
1978 $2,559,857,143 $4,910,254,566
1977 $2,092,158,730 $4,114,670,014
1976 $1,698,960,317 $3,667,161,241
1975 $1,511,420,635 $3,538,278,047
1974 $1,333,475,397 $4,090,209,682
1973 $995,531,746 $3,964,296,443
1972 $769,039,683 $2,189,418,689
1971 $664,571,429 $2,807,258,065
1970 $594,611,111 $2,137,096,774
1969 $556,293,651 $2,004,435,484
1968 $517,650,794 $1,593,674,185
1967 $492,674,603 $1,597,713,469
1966 $465,888,889 $1,809,185,094
1965 $443,587,302 $1,890,767,156
1964 $408,349,206 $1,975,701,816
1963 $383,904,762 $1,539,681,491
1962 $360,698,413 $1,710,004,407
1961 $322,053,713 $1,547,388,781
1960 $288,884,368 $1,242,289,239

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/paraguay/uruguay | CC BY

GDP per capita in Paraguay vs Uruguay by year

Paraguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uruguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Paraguay Uruguay
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,416 $18,524 $23,907 $36,418
2023 $6,300 $17,564 $23,019 $34,471
2022 $6,206 $16,347 $20,819 $33,001
2021 $5,977 $15,406 $17,882 $29,432
2020 $5,365 $14,309 $15,758 $25,725
2019 $5,821 $14,150 $18,316 $25,783
2018 $6,258 $14,139 $19,250 $24,386
2017 $6,152 $13,977 $19,185 $23,607
2016 $5,775 $13,329 $17,010 $22,841
2015 $5,879 $12,679 $17,126 $22,169
2014 $6,652 $12,607 $18,322 $21,868
2013 $6,436 $12,137 $18,335 $20,661
2012 $5,642 $10,954 $16,260 $19,495
2011 $5,805 $11,442 $15,132 $19,135
2010 $4,751 $10,893 $12,641 $17,873
2009 $3,942 $9,802 $9,881 $16,422
2008 $4,385 $9,867 $9,424 $15,694
2007 $3,212 $9,179 $7,222 $14,397
2006 $2,439 $8,561 $6,001 $13,179
2005 $1,971 $8,007 $5,284 $12,296
2004 $1,786 $7,686 $4,169 $11,103
2003 $1,444 $7,276 $3,671 $10,303
2002 $1,368 $6,924 $4,150 $10,030
2001 $1,638 $6,916 $6,383 $10,719
2000 $1,736 $6,937 $6,988 $10,929
1999 $1,766 $7,080 $7,371 $10,938
1998 $1,890 $7,227 $7,837 $11,002
1997 $2,079 $7,299 $7,436 $10,461
1996 $2,088 $7,040 $6,398 $9,524
1995 $1,979 $6,966 $6,050 $8,906
1994 $1,760 $6,542 $5,508 $8,897
1993 $1,662 $6,234 $4,753 $8,162
1992 $1,683 $5,952 $4,102 $7,808
1991 $1,685 $5,873 $3,589 $7,112
1990 $1,440 $5,637 $2,995 $6,683
1989 $1,211 - $2,734 -
1988 $1,114 - $2,677 -
1987 $1,069 - $2,416 -
1986 $1,031 - $1,939 -
1985 $935 - $1,568 -
1984 $1,319 - $1,615 -
1983 $1,710 - $1,707 -
1982 $1,680 - $3,085 -
1981 $1,793 - $3,728 -
1980 $1,457 - $3,443 -
1979 $1,149 - $2,443 -
1978 $883 - $1,678 -
1977 $740 - $1,414 -
1976 $616 - $1,268 -
1975 $562 - $1,232 -
1974 $508 - $1,433 -
1973 $389 - $1,397 -
1972 $308 - $776 -
1971 $272.1 - $1,000 -
1970 $249 - $766 -
1969 $238.2 - $723 -
1968 $226.8 - $579 -
1967 $220.9 - $585 -
1966 $213.9 - $668 -
1965 $208.7 - $705 -
1964 $197 - $745 -
1963 $189.9 - $587 -
1962 $182.8 - $659 -
1961 $167.1 - $604 -
1960 $153.4 - $491 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/paraguay/uruguay | CC BY

Paraguay's GDP per capita is $6,416, ranking 109/197, compared to $23,907 in Uruguay, ranking 52/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Paraguay ranks 102nd at $18,524, while Uruguay ranks 61st at $36,418.

Economic indicators

Paraguay Uruguay
Gross domestic product
$44.5B
2024
$81B
2024
GDP rank
98/197
2024
81/197
2024
GDP growth
4.25%
2023-2024
3.11%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,416
2024
$23,907
2024
GDP per capita rank
109/197
2024
52/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$18,524
2024
$36,418
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
102/197
2024
61/197
2024
Government debt
$19.9B
2024
$55.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
44.8%
2024
68.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,872
2024
$16,421
2024
Government debt per person rank
103/185
2024
38/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,136
2026
$12,433
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$313M
1999
$284M
1996
Income share by richest 10%
35%
2024
30%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2%
2024
2.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21%
2024
31.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.84%
2023-2024
4.85%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2024
8.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.69%
2024
8.21%
2024
Population
7120169
3382789

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Paraguay
Spending

Debt
Uruguay
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Paraguay Uruguay
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21% 44.8% 31.1% 68.7%
2023 21.5% 41.1% 30.5% 64%
2022 20.2% 40.5% 30% 59.9%
2021 20.4% 37.5% 30.2% 64.1%
2020 22.6% 36.9% 32.8% 68.2%
2019 20.1% 25.8% 30.6% 59.6%
2018 18.5% 22.3% 30.3% 57.9%
2017 18.1% 19.8% 29.7% 55.8%
2016 17.7% 19.4% 29.7% 56.4%
2015 18% 18.6% 28.4% 57.8%
2014 17.1% 15.6% 29.1% 51.1%
2013 17.1% 13.5% 28.8% 50%
2012 17.6% 12.3% 27.7% 49.8%
2011 14.7% 11.1% 26.3% 41.3%
2010 13.3% 13% 27.4% 40.9%
2009 14.3% 14.9% 27.2% 46.2%
2008 11.8% 16% 26.3% 46.2%
2007 13.1% 16.8% 26.8% 52.8%
2006 14.1% 21% 26.8% 61.1%
2005 14% 28.3% 26.3% 66.2%
2004 14% 36% 26.6% 73.7%
2003 14.6% 37.5% 27.7% 91.9%
2002 17.6% 50.5% 27.6% 90.1%
2001 19% 37.1% 27.8% 39.4%
2000 19.6% 33.6% 26.6% 30.5%
1999 19.2% 32% 27.2% 24.1%
1998 18% 22.1% 27.3% 19.4%
1997 18.1% 18% 27.6% 18.8%
1996 16.9% 16.8% 26.5% 18.3%
1995 15.7% 17.6% 26.2% 18.5%
1994 14.5% 18.7% 29.5% 19.3%
1993 12.9% 26.6% 27.7% 20%
1992 13% 34.4% 23.6% 22.2%
1991 11.4% 49.4% 22.2% 20.4%
1990 10.5% 67% 21.1% 26.2%
1989 11.8% 52.9% 37% -
1988 9.75% 58.9% 26% 34.8%
1987 10.1% 68.7% 24.4% 37.3%
1986 9.25% 57.1% 25.1% 34.6%
1985 11.4% 54.7% 24.6% 29%
1984 13% 31% 25.6% 39.5%
1983 13% 22.6% 26.5% 21.2%
1982 13.2% 21.3% 29.5% 13.5%
1981 13.3% 17.4% 25% 4.32%
1980 11.6% 17.4% 21.8% 4.59%
1979 11.7% 19.7% 20.2% 3.98%
1978 11.9% 20.9% 22.9% 5.64%
1977 11.2% 18.8% 23.5% 7.26%
1976 9.8% 14.1% 24.2% 8.67%
1975 10.5% 12.6% 23% 8.13%
1974 9.44% 12.5% 23.8% 7.61%
1973 11.2% 15.4% 22.6% 7%
1972 12.5% 18.2% 24.6% 9.12%
1971 12.3% 18.9% 20.1% 9.3%
1970 13.3% 19.2% 15.1% 6.11%
1969 14% - 14.6% -
1968 13.5% - 14.1% -
1967 12.2% - 14.7% -
1966 - - 14.1% -
1965 - - 15.6% -
1964 - - 14.3% -
1963 - - 14.6% -
1962 - - 16% -
1961 - - 13% -
1960 - - 9.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/paraguay/uruguay | CC BY

In 2024, Paraguay's government spending was $9.33B, accounting for 21% of its GDP, while Uruguay spent $25.2B, or 31.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 44.8% in Paraguay and 68.7% in Uruguay, ranking 120/185 and 59/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Paraguay

Uruguay
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Paraguay Uruguay
2024 -2.12% -3.22%
2023 -3.81% -3.13%
2022 -2.64% -2.52%
2021 -3.39% -2.61%
2020 -5.72% -4.64%
2019 -2.44% -2.71%
2018 -1.01% -1.89%
2017 -0.44% -2.51%
2016 -0.37% -2.68%
2015 -0.44% -1.86%
2014 -0.27% -2.6%
2013 -1.16% -1.72%
2012 -0.58% -2.17%
2011 1.29% -0.33%
2010 1.54% -0.39%
2009 0.59% -1.39%
2008 2.29% -1.31%
2007 1.27% -0.16%
2006 0.91% -0.64%
2005 0.74% -0.28%
2004 1.33% -0.87%
2003 -0.07% -2.19%
2002 -1.89% -3.19%
2001 0.07% -2.85%
2000 -0.55% -2.76%
1999 2.67% -2.76%
1998 4.28% -0.76%
1997 3% -0.97%
1996 2.43% -1.32%
1995 2.78% -1.08%
1994 4.59% -2.37%
1993 4.27% -0.47%
1992 3.1% 0.6%
1991 3.41% 0.88%
1990 7.56% 0.49%
1989 5.48% -13.1%
1988 3.01% -1.47%
1987 2.68% -0.66%
1986 3.08% -0.34%
1985 0.85% -1.88%
1984 -0.42% -4.94%
1983 0.27% -3.54%
1982 1.52% -8.22%
1981 0.15% -1.15%
1980 3.4% 0.43%
1979 4.13% 0.99%
1978 -3.42% -0.47%
1977 -0.19% -0.69%
1976 -0.06% -2.01%
1975 -1.24% -4.38%
1974 1.67% -3.74%
1973 -0.91% -1.09%
1972 -2.51% -2.25%
1971 -1.25% -5.86%
1970 -1.26% -1.33%
1969 -1.62% -2.37%
1968 -2.34% -2.93%
1967 -1.7% -4.12%
1966 - -2.01%
1965 - -5.14%
1964 - -3.61%
1963 - -4.4%
1962 - -5.02%
1961 - -0.86%
1960 - 0.79%
1959 - 0.64%
1958 - -1.38%
1957 - -0.72%
1956 - 0.04%
1955 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1955–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/paraguay/uruguay | CC BY

In 2024, Paraguay's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $942M, equivalent to 2.12% of GDP. This compares to Uruguay's deficit of $2.6B, or 3.22% of GDP.

Over the past 58 years, Paraguay recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Uruguay ran a deficit in 53 years. On average, Paraguay posted an annual surplus equal to 0.53% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.13% of GDP for Uruguay.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Paraguay

Uruguay
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Paraguay Uruguay
2024 3.84% 4.85%
2023 4.63% 5.87%
2022 9.77% 9.1%
2021 4.79% 7.75%
2020 1.77% 9.76%
2019 2.76% 7.88%
2018 3.98% 7.61%
2017 3.6% 6.22%
2016 4.09% 9.64%
2015 3.13% 8.67%
2014 5.03% 8.88%
2013 2.68% 8.58%
2012 3.68% 8.1%
2011 8.25% 8.09%
2010 4.65% 6.7%
2009 2.59% 7.06%
2008 10.2% 7.88%
2007 8.13% 8.11%
2006 9.59% 6.4%
2005 6.81% 4.7%
2004 4.32% 9.16%
2003 14.2% 19.4%
2002 10.5% 14%
2001 7.27% 4.36%
2000 8.98% 4.76%
1999 6.75% 5.66%
1998 11.6% 10.8%
1997 6.95% 19.8%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/paraguay/uruguay | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Paraguay has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.23%, compared with 8.56% in Uruguay. In 2024, inflation was 3.84% in Paraguay and 4.85% in Uruguay.

Top exports between countries

Paraguay
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $48.1M
Raw agricultural goods $46M
Animal & marine products $31.9M
Chemicals & pharma $13.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $8.38M
Metals $7.17M
Wood & paper products $6.53M
Machinery & equipment $4.57M
Raw materials & minerals $262K
Precious metals & jewellery $51K
Uruguay
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $50.8M
Raw agricultural goods $20.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $18.1M
Animal & marine products $9.28M
Raw materials & minerals $8.26M
Machinery & equipment $5.5M
Miscellaneous $4.63M
Wood & paper products $3.68M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.4M
Metals $615K

Balance of trade

Paraguay Uruguay
Current account balance
-$1.53B
2024
-$633M
2024
Current account balance ranking
133/190
2024
111/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.44%
2024
-0.78%
2024
Goods imports
$15.8B
2024
$13B
2024
Goods exports
$14.9B
2024
$16.3B
2024
Service imports
$2.54B
2024
$6.22B
2024
Service exports
$2.65B
2024
$7.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.6%
2024
23.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.2%
2024
28.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Paraguay Uruguay
Economic freedom 66.4 69.8
Economic freedom ranking 61/197 39/197
Property rights 44.2 87.4
Government integrity 27.3 79
Judicial effectiveness 38.4 80.9
Tax burden 95.9 73.3
Government spending 86.9 72
Fiscal health 83 76.6
Business freedom 72 83.8
Labor freedom 44.1 61.7
Monetary freedom 76.5 70.2
Trade freedom 78.4 73.2
Investment freedom 80 50
Financial freedom 70 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Paraguay
Uruguay
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Paraguay Uruguay
2026 66.4 69.8
2025 65.2 70.2
2024 60.1 69.8
2023 61 70.2
2022 62.9 70
2021 62.6 69.3
2020 63 69.1
2019 61.8 68.6
2018 62.1 69.2
2017 62.4 69.7
2016 61.5 68.8
2015 61.1 68.6
2014 62 69.3
2013 61.1 69.7
2012 61.8 69.9
2011 62.3 70
2010 61.3 69.8
2009 61 69.1
2008 60 67.9
2007 58.3 68.4
2006 55.6 65.3
2005 53.4 66.9
2004 56.7 66.7
2003 58.2 69.8
2002 59.6 68.7
2001 60.3 70.7
2000 64 69.3
1999 63.7 68.5
1998 65.2 68.6
1997 67.3 67.5
1996 67.1 63.7
1995 65.9 62.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/paraguay/uruguay | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Paraguay is 66.4, ranking 61/197, compared to 69.8 for Uruguay, ranking 39/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Paraguay Uruguay
Services, % of GDP
48.7%
2024
65.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
32.5%
2024
16.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.7%
2024
6.42%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$43.7B
2024
$73.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$17,930
2024
$34,170
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.89B
2023
$17.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
76/177
2023
66/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$335M
2024
$2.58B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.1B
2024
-$3.94B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$166M
2024
-$1.37B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.58%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.1%
2024
17.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.8%
2024
15.6%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/paraguay/uruguay | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1955–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.