중남미

Paraguay has made considerable economic and social progress over the past fifteen years. The country is blessed with a considerable endowment of natural resources, vast energy potential, ample fertile land, and a young population. If well-managed, these resources can contribute to economic growth and shared prosperity, giving Paraguay the opportunity to reach the level of high-income country within a generation. Paraguay's socio-economic structure is gradually transforming. The economy is moving away from agriculture towards services and, to a lesser degree, manufacturing. The socio-demographic structure, characterized by a young population, creates the potential for a "demographic dividend;" and the emergence of a middle class in urban centers provides positive socio-economic externalities. The task at hand is to begin to steer the process of creation of quality opportunities and rising productivity throughout the economy. Against this backdrop, the international commission for Paraguay's growth, equity and development was set up to help understand the long-run socio-economic forces and growth challenges faced by Paraguay in a context of economic uncertainties and emerging trends in the global economy This report is the result of that process and reflects active discussions among the members of the commission. The report focuses on the points of consensus that emerged in those discussions and highlights seven priority areas that the commission has determined are critical to support a socio-economic transformation towards a high-income economy with a resilient middle-class, and to avoid the middle-income trap.