Which institutions measure and manage Paraguay's labor market?

INE and the EPHC provide the main labor-market statistics. MTESS and its Labor Observatory support policy and monitoring, while DGE operates the Servicio Público de Empleo; no single national institution performs all of these functions.

How is informal employment measured in Paraguay's labor market?

INE classifies an independent worker as informal when the worker lacks a RUC or DNIT registration, and a dependent worker as informal when the worker lacks a retirement or pension contribution. In 2025, the rate was 60.1% among non-agricultural employed people.

What private-sector minimum wage figures apply in Paraguay's labor market from 1 July 2026?

For activities without a separate specified rate, the monthly figure is Gs. 3,044,000, the daily rate is Gs. 117,077 and the hourly rate is Gs. 12,683. Night work and apprenticeship have different figures, and the applicable rate can also depend on the activity or profession.

How can a job seeker use Paraguay's public labor-market matching service?

A job seeker can use EmpleaPy to create a profile and CV, search vacancies, apply, receive guidance and access intermediation or job fairs. The service is free, but it does not guarantee employment.

Which documents can a foreign worker use to enter Paraguay's labor market under MERCOSUR residence rules?

An employee can generally provide IPS records or an employment contract reviewed, approved or registered by MTESS. An independent worker can provide a RUC with IVA or IRP records, while a remote worker or digital nomad needs work and income evidence; foreign documents generally require apostille or legalization and Spanish translation.

Labor market in Paraguay

Paraguay's labor market combines formal employment, self-employment and a large informal sector across urban and rural areas. In the second quarter of 2026, 3,406,553 people aged 15 and over were in the labor force, including 3,267,192 employed people and 139,361 unemployed people. Services and commerce provide more than half of employment, while access to training, public job matching and residence documentation affects how people enter and move through the market.

byAna&Carlos

Foreign workers use the National Migration Directorate, DNM, for residence procedures. MERCOSUR residence arrangements cover nationals of Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador for lawful activities. An employed applicant can show IPS records or an employment contract reviewed, approved or registered by MTESS. An independent worker can show a RUC together with IVA or IRP records. Remote workers and digital nomads need evidence of their work and income. Foreign documents generally require apostille or legalization and a Spanish translation, and the procedure is personal and in person. Permanent MERCOSUR residence costs Gs. 2,926,925, and applicants generally have a 90-day window before temporary MERCOSUR residence expires. Resolution DNM 407/2026 standardized the financial-solvency requirement from 6 July 2026.

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