Updated
Overview
Brazil has 30 times the population of Paraguay: 212.81 million people against 7.01 million (2025).
Brazil's economy is 46 times the size of Paraguay's, at $2.28T versus $49.28B.
Per person, Brazil is the wealthier of the two: $10,713 against $7,027 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Brazil | Paraguay | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.28T | $49.28B | 2025 | $2.18T / $44.46B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $10,713 | $7,027 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.3% | Higher: 6.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 5.0% | Lower: 4.0% | 2025 | 4.4% / 3.8% |
| Unemployment | 6.0% | Lower: 4.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | 35 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $607 | $443 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $262 | Higher: $370 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.71 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 212.81 million | 7.01 million | 2025 | 221.36 million / 7.60 million |
| Population growth | 0.4% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.8 yrs | 27.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.60 | 2.39 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 76.0 yrs | 74.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 88% | 70% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 84% | 82% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 8,515,767 km² | 406,752 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 25.0/km² | 17.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 483 Mt | Lower: 7.94 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 2.3 t | Lower: 1.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $20.95B | $413.97M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 0.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 762,000 | 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 is growing much faster: 6.6% annual GDP growth versus 2.3%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 5.0% in Brazil and 4.0% in Paraguay.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Paraguay: a price level of 35 versus 46 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Brazil: $607 against $443 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Paraguay is the younger society: median age 27.0 versus 34.8 years.
Life expectancy is 2.0 years longer in Brazil (76.0 vs 74.0).
Brazil is considerably more urbanized: 88% of people live in cities, against 70%.
Geography
By land area, Brazil is 21 times the size of Paraguay: 8,515,767 km² versus 406,752 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Brazil spends 51 times as much on defence as Paraguay: $20.95B versus $413.97M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Brazil fields the larger armed forces: 762,000 personnel against 29,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Brazil bigger than Paraguay?
- Brazil is larger by land area. Brazil covers 8,515,767 km² while Paraguay covers 406,752 km², so Brazil is 21 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Brazil or Paraguay?
- Brazil has the larger population: 212.81 million versus 7.01 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Brazil richer than Paraguay?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Brazil is richer: $10,713 against $7,027. Total GDP tells the same story: $2.28T for Brazil versus $49.28B for Paraguay.
- Who spends more on their military, Brazil or Paraguay?
- Brazil spends more: $20.95B versus $413.97M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).