Updated
Overview
Bolivia has about 80% more people than Paraguay: 12.58 million against 7.01 million (2025).
Bolivia's economy is 31% larger than Paraguay's, at $64.77B versus $49.28B.
Per person, Paraguay is the wealthier of the two: $7,027 against $5,148 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Bolivia | Paraguay | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $64.77B | $49.28B | 2025 | $49.67B / $44.46B |
| GDP per capita | $5,148 | Higher: $7,027 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -1.6% | Higher: 6.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 19.5% | Lower: 4.0% | 2025 | 5.1% / 3.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 3.0% | 4.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 40 | 35 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $462 | $443 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $362 | Higher: $370 | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 12.58 million | 7.01 million | 2025 | 12.44 million / 7.60 million |
| Population growth | 1.3% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 25.2 yrs | 27.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.50 | 2.39 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 68.7 yrs | Higher: 74.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 72% | 70% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 80% | Higher: 82% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,098,581 km² | 406,752 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 11.5/km² | 17.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 29 Mt | Lower: 7.94 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 2.3 t | Lower: 1.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $655.13M | $413.97M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.4% | 0.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 71,000 | 29,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Paraguay grew while the other economy contracted: 6.6% against -1.6%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Bolivia at 19.5%, while the other economy sits at 4.0%.
Average monthly earnings favour Bolivia: $462 against $443 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 25.2 (Bolivia) and 27.0 (Paraguay).
Life expectancy is 5.2 years longer in Paraguay (74.0 vs 68.7).
Geography
By land area, Bolivia is 2.7 times the size of Paraguay: 1,098,581 km² versus 406,752 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Bolivia spends about 60% more on defence than Paraguay: $655.13M versus $413.97M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Bolivia fields the larger armed forces: 71,000 personnel against 29,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Bolivia bigger than Paraguay?
- Bolivia is larger by land area. Bolivia covers 1,098,581 km² while Paraguay covers 406,752 km², so Bolivia is 2.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Bolivia or Paraguay?
- Bolivia has the larger population: 12.58 million versus 7.01 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Bolivia richer than Paraguay?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Paraguay is richer: $7,027 against $5,148. Total GDP tells a different story: $64.77B for Bolivia versus $49.28B for Paraguay.
- Who spends more on their military, Bolivia or Paraguay?
- Bolivia spends more: $655.13M versus $413.97M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).