June 20, 2026 at – 01:00
Credits in the financial system show a sustained expansion between January 2025 and May 2026, both in the number of people with credit and in the number of operations, according to data from the Central Bank of Paraguay (BCP). In May 2026, the total number of people with credit reached 2,320,994, compared to 1,979,080 in January 2025, an absolute increase of 341,914 people and a relative variation of 17.3% in the period.
The advance was explained almost entirely by individuals, who went from 1,961,620 to 2,300,575 with an increase of 338,955 people and a rise of 17.3%. Legal entities also grew: from 17,460 to 20,419, that is, 2,959 more, equivalent to 16.9%.
The dynamic was even more marked in the number of operations. The total increased from 5,184,877 in January 2025 to 7,045,616 in May 2026. The difference was 1,860,739 operations, representing an expansion of 35.9%. This rate doubles the growth in the number of people with credit, which reflects a greater intensity of use of formal financing. In the case of individuals, operations rose from 5,091,443 to 6,943,355, with an increase of 1,851,912 operations and a variation of 36.4%. In legal entities, the increase was smaller: from 93,434 to 102,261, with 8,827 additional operations and an increase of 9.4%.
The closing of 2025 left a sign of moderation. Between November and December of that year, the total number of people with credit fell from 2,217,463 to 2,193,420, a reduction of 24,043 people or 1.1%. In parallel, operations fell from 6,633,160 to 6,458,811, with a decrease of 174,349 operations, equivalent to 2.6%. However, the beginning of 2026 reversed that correction: in January, the total number of people with credit increased by 34,888 compared to December, with an increase of 1.6%, and operations grew by 180,062, with an increase of 2.8%.
In the year-on-year comparison, the growth is also significant. Between May 2025 and May 2026, the total number of people with credit increased from 2,061,160 to 2,320,994, with 259,834 additional people. Individuals increased by 257,396, going from 2,043,179 to 2,300,575. Legal entities grew from 17,981 to 20,419, with 2,438 more.
The year-on-year jump was stronger in operations. In May 2025, 5,732,736 operations were registered and in May 2026 the total reached 7,045,616. The difference was 1,312,880 operations. Transactions by natural persons increased by 1,306,710, from 5,636,645 to 6,943,355. Operations of legal entities went from 96,091 to 102,261, with 6,170 additional operations.
During the first five months of 2026, credit maintained a positive trajectory, although at a slower pace towards May, as can be seen in the infographic.
Furthermore, BCP data show that credit expansion not only incorporated more debtors into the system, but also increased the frequency of use of formal financial products.
*This material was prepared by MF Economía e Inversiones.
