Historically, the migratory history of Paraguay has been ambiguous, since it has had periods of large scale emigration as well as small waves of immigrants, primarily from Europe.

Although the majority of people mostly descended from Native Americans, Paraguay considers itself as a mestizo country, the result of small scale intermarriage with Europeans (mostly of Spanish origin). Unlike neighbouring countries like Argentina or Brazil, Paraguay did not attract massive numbers of immigrants. However, during the 19th century the country suffered a devastating war that greatly reduced its population, having to rise from the ashes and repopulate their territory with large birthrates.

During the 20th century, Paraguay became a recipient of immigrants, especially Europeans fleeing wars occurring in the Old World, in search of a better life and peace. Among European groups in the country, this includes those of Spanish, German (many of them being Mennonites), Italian, French and Slavic origin. Other groups included these of Levantine/Arabs roots (mostly Christian Lebanese and Syrians) and East Asians (such as the Chinese and Japanese), among others.

Today, immigration to Paraguay has not ceased, but the places of origin of the newcomers have changed. According to the 2002 census, 84,2% of immigrants in Paraguay come from Brazil and Argentina.

History The first Europeans to arrive in what is now Paraguayan territory were Spaniards who left a palpable cultural heritage even today.

The government of Carlos Antonio López was marked by a period of international openness including immigration and attracting settlers to populate the country.

Settlement in the Paraguayan Chaco

Geographically, Paraguay can be divided into two parts: The Chaco or Western Region, and the Eastern Region, where Asunción is located, as well as the other main cities of the country.

The Chaco is the largest region by area with about 60% of the total territory but, on the other hand, it is the least populated region being home to less than 2% of the total population. Because of this, one of the main goals of the government of Paraguay was to populate this vast and immense region, which comprises the departments of Presidente Hayes, Boquerón, and Alto Paraguay (also known in English as Upper Paraguay).

The colonisation of the Chaco began with the founding of several colonies, including Nueva Burdeos (, present-day Villa Hayes), which was founded by French immigrants. The first settlers came to this colony through the port of Asunción in 1856. In the years 1927, 1930 and 1947, three waves of German-speaking Mennonites originally Russia came from Canada and the Soviet Union to the Chaco and started three colonies there. In the 2020s about a third of the Chaco population belongs to these Chaco Mennonites who are an important part of the population of Mennonites in Paraguay.

Figures The table below obviously only shows the official numbers in individual immigrants. Most of the often German Brasiguayos, who came as early as around the year 1900 are not included. Also some 8,300 German speaking Mennonites who came from Canada in 1927 (1,778 people) and from Russia in 1930 and 1932 (ca. 2,000) and in 1947 (ca. 4,500 via Germany) are not in the table.Paraguay at GAMEO.

Place of origin1870-18791880-18891890-18991900-19091910-19191920-19291930-19391940-19491950-1959 Paraguayan returnees 0 0 0 51 193 105 111 0 0 Argentina 0 4,895 18 364 1,122 100 141 512 2,036 Brazil 0 530 0 29 44 0 12 77 474 Uruguay 0 198 0 59 68 40 12 43 188 Bolivia 0 0 0 4 0 0 8 13 75 United States 0 0 6 37 3 35 9 60 385 Canada 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 20 99 Rest of the Americas 0 0 0 2 4 0 5 36 136 Total from the Americas 0 5,623 24 546 1,434 281 298 671 3,393 Italy 0 824 251 1,115 973 37 41 238 580 Spain 0 321 9 809 1,494 37 73 159 1,287 France 0 228 10 124 111 15 109 63 148 Germany 0 467 11 479 811 814 1,038 186 661 United Kingdom 800 39 28 35 31 9 8 84 160 Austria 0 0 1 122 318 137 533 50 32 Russia 0 53 0 99 252 46 515 288 319 Belgium 0 0 0 15 46 14 12 168 80 Switzerland 0 0 3 22 85 137 96 30 38 Czech Republic 0 0 0 0 0 44 527 126 90 Poland 0 0 0 0 0 34 8,079 461 188 Rest of Europe 0 146 0 14 14 44 332 279 480 Total from Europe 800 2,078 313 2,834 4,135 1,368 11,363 2,132 4,063 SyriaLebanon 0 0 0 0 0 2 52 17 75 Rest of the Western Asia 0 0 0 15 4 2 2 3 0 Total from Western Asia 0 0 0 15 4 4 54 20 75 Japan 0 0 0 25 0 0 533 161 4,085 Rest of East Asia 0 73 78 0 127 0 0 18 72 Total from East Asia 0 73 78 0 127 0 0 18 4,157 Mennonites 0 0 0 0 0 1,876 381 4,258 7 Total of immigrants 0<ref name= Pidoux > Lyra Pidoux de Drachenberg: Inmigración y colonización en el Paraguay 1870-1970'', Revista Paraguaya de Sociología 12: 65-124., 1975.</ref>-800 | 4,808-7,774 | 415-3,743 | 3,420-7,115 | 5,700-6,306 | 3,264-3,529 | 12,629-20,141 | 7,280-7,555 | 10,044-11,665 |- | Paraguayan population'''? 239,774? 490,719 651,040 843,905 987,824 1,259,826 1,816,890

See also

Demographics of Paraguay

References