Bolivia
BASIC FACTS
Sucre is the constitutional capital and seat of the judiciary. La Paz is the seat of government.
Area size
1084380 sq. km
Area comparison
Slightly larger than Scandinavia
PEOPLE
Language
The official languages are Spanish, Quechua and Aymara. Guarani is also spoken.
Source: New Internationalist World Guide
Population
Future population estimates
14.9 million (2050)
Source: U.N. DESA (2004)
Ethnic groups
More than half of the population are Quechua and Aymara. Some 25 percent are of mixed Spanish and indigenous descent.
Source: NI World Guide
Religion
Mainly Catholic (95 percent), with syncretism in indigenous communities. There are Protestant and Jewish minorities.
Source: NI World Guide
Percentage urban population
Year women granted right to vote
1938 1952
Source: U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report
Where two figures are shown, the first refers to a partial recognition of the right to vote and the second to the year women received the right to vote on a universal and equal basis.
Net percentage of girls enrolled in primary education
96 (2004)
Source: U.N. Education
Percentage of population under 15
The official languages are Spanish, Quechua and Aymara. Guarani is also spoken.
Source: New Internationalist World Guide
Population
| 2006 | 9.4 million | U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2004) |
| 2005 | 9.2 million | U.N. DESA (2004) |
| 2004 | 9.0 million | U.N. DESA (2004) |
| 2003 | 8.8 million | U.N. DESA (2004) |
| 2002 | 8.7 million | U.N. DESA (2004) |
| 2001 | 8.5 million | U.N. DESA (2004) |
| 2000 | 8.3 million | U.N. DESA (2004) |
Future population estimates
14.9 million (2050)
Source: U.N. DESA (2004)
Ethnic groups
More than half of the population are Quechua and Aymara. Some 25 percent are of mixed Spanish and indigenous descent.
Source: NI World Guide
Religion
Mainly Catholic (95 percent), with syncretism in indigenous communities. There are Protestant and Jewish minorities.
Source: NI World Guide
Percentage urban population
| 2007 | 65.2 percent | U.N. DESA - World Urbanisation Prospects 2005 |
| 2006 | 64.7 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2005 | 64.2 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2004 | 63.7 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2003 | 63.3 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2002 | 62.8 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2001 | 62.3 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2000 | 61.8 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
Year women granted right to vote
1938 1952
Source: U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report
Where two figures are shown, the first refers to a partial recognition of the right to vote and the second to the year women received the right to vote on a universal and equal basis.
Net percentage of girls enrolled in primary education
96 (2004)
Source: U.N. Education
Percentage of population under 15
| 2004 | 38.5 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 38.8 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 39 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 39.3 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 39.6 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
USEFUL INFORMATION
Time zone
GMT +4
Climate description
Humid and tropical in the northern and eastern lowlands to cool and cold in the Andes mountains above 3,500 meters; rainfalls between November and March.
Currency
Boliviano
Telephone dialling code
(+) 591
Driving (left/right)
Right
GMT +4
Climate description
Humid and tropical in the northern and eastern lowlands to cool and cold in the Andes mountains above 3,500 meters; rainfalls between November and March.
Currency
Boliviano
Telephone dialling code
(+) 591
Driving (left/right)
Right
STANDARD OF LIVING
Average life expectancy
Life expectancy - male
Life expectancy - female
Infant mortality
Child mortality - deaths before the age of five
Births attended by skilled personnel
Maternal mortality
420 per 100,000 live births (2000)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
Human development index (HDI rank)
Percentage of children under weight for age (under age 5)
Percentage of undernourished population
Food intake falls below the minimum requirement.
Population with access to improved water
Population with access to improved sanitation
Literacy - average
Literacy - male
Literacy - female
Landlines telephones
Cellular telephone subscribers
Internet users
Transparency International corruption ranking (1=least corrupt, 145=most corrupt)
Signatory of International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment for the crime of Genocide
Yes (1948)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
Signatory of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Yes (1984)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
Signatory of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Yes (1989)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
| 2004 | 64.4 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 64.1 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 63.9 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 63.3 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 62.4 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Life expectancy - male
| 2004 | 62.3 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 62.0 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 61.6 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 61.3 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 60.8 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Life expectancy - female
| 2004 | 66.5 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 66.2 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 65.8 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 65.4 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
Infant mortality
| 2005 | 52 per 1,000 live births | U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2007 |
| 2004 | 54 per 1,000 live births | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006 |
| 2003 | 53 per 1,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 56 per 1,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
Child mortality - deaths before the age of five
| 2005 | 65 per 1,000 live births | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007 |
| 2003 | 66 per 1,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 71 per 1,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
Births attended by skilled personnel
| 1996-2004 | 67 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 1995-2003 | 65 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 1995-2002 | 69 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 1995-2001 | 59 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 1995-2000 | 59 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Maternal mortality
420 per 100,000 live births (2000)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
Human development index (HDI rank)
| 2004 | 115 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 113 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 114 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 114 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 114 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Percentage of children under weight for age (under age 5)
| 1996-2005 | 8 percent | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007 |
| 1995-2003 | 8 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 1995-2002 | 10 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
Percentage of undernourished population
| 2002-2004 average | 23 percent | U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 2006 |
| 2001-2003average | 23 percent | FAO 2006 |
Food intake falls below the minimum requirement.
Population with access to improved water
| 2004 | 85 percent | UNICEF and World Health Organisation (WHO) 2006 |
| 2002 | 85 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2000 | 83 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
Population with access to improved sanitation
| 2004 | 46 percent | UNICEF and WHO 2006 |
| 2002 | 45 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2000 | 70 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
Literacy - average
| 2004 | 86.7 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 86.5 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 86.7 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 86.0 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 85.5 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Literacy - male
| 2004 | 93.1 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 92.9 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 93.1 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 92.3 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 92.0 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Literacy - female
| 2004 | 80.7 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 80.4 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 80.7 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 79.9 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | 79.3 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2002 |
Landlines telephones
| 2005 | 70 per 1,000 people | International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 2006 |
| 2004 | 69 per 1,000 people | ITU 2006 |
| 2003 | 69 per 1,000 people | ITU 2006 |
| 2002 | 68 per 1,000 people | ITU 2006 |
| 2001 | 62 per 1,000 people | ITU 2006 |
| 2000 | 61 per 1,000 people | ITU 2006 |
Cellular telephone subscribers
| 2005 | 264 per 1,000 people | ITU 2006 |
| 2004 | 200 per 1,000 people | ITU 2006 |
| 2003 | 145 per 1,000 people | ITU 2006 |
| 2002 | 118 per 1,000 people | ITU 2006 |
| 2001 | 92 per 1,000 people | ITU 2006 |
| 2000 | 70 per 1,000 people | ITU 2006 |
Internet users
| 2005 | 52 per 1,000 people | ITU 2006 |
| 2004 | 44 per 1,000 people | ITU 2006 |
| 2003 | 35 per 1,000 people | ITU 2006 |
| 2002 | 31 per 1,000 people | ITU 2006 |
| 2001 | 21 per 1,000 people | ITU 2006 |
| 2000 | 14 per 1,000 people | ITU 2006 |
Transparency International corruption ranking (1=least corrupt, 145=most corrupt)
| 2006 | 105 (joint) | Transparency International |
| 2005 | 107 (joint) | Transparency International |
| 2004 | 122 (joint) | Transparency International |
| 2003 | 106 (joint) | Transparency International |
| 2002 | 89 (joint) | Transparency International |
| 2001 | 84 (joint) | Transparency International |
| 2000 | 71 (joint) | Transparency International |
Signatory of International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment for the crime of Genocide
Yes (1948)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
Signatory of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Yes (1984)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
Signatory of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Yes (1989)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
ECONOMY & AID
Percentage of population living on less than US$1 a day
GNI per capita, Atlas method
The purpose of the Atlas conversion factor is to reduce the impact of exchange rate fluctuations in a cross-country comparison of national incomes. The Atlas conversion factor for any year is the average of a country�s exchange rate (or alternative conversion factor) for that year and its exchange rates for the two preceding years.
GDP
Annual GDP growth
Annual inflation
Share of income or consumption (poorest 10 percent)
0.3 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
Share of income or consumption (richest 10 percent)
47.2 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
| 1990-2004 | 23.2 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 1990-2003 | 14.4 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 1990-2002 | 14.4 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 1990-2001 | 14.4 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
GNI per capita, Atlas method
| 2005 | 1010 current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006 |
| 2004 | 960 current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006 |
| 2003 | 920 current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006 |
| 2002 | 930 current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006 |
| 2001 | 960 current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006 |
| 2000 | 1000 current US$ | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006 |
The purpose of the Atlas conversion factor is to reduce the impact of exchange rate fluctuations in a cross-country comparison of national incomes. The Atlas conversion factor for any year is the average of a country�s exchange rate (or alternative conversion factor) for that year and its exchange rates for the two preceding years.
GDP
| 2005 | 9.3 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006 |
| 2004 | 8.7 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006 |
| 2003 | 8.1 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006 |
| 2002 | 7.9 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006 |
| 2001 | 8.1 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006 |
| 2000 | 8.4 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006 |
Annual GDP growth
| 2005 | 4.1 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006 |
| 2004 | 3.9 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006 |
| 2003 | 2.9 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006 |
| 2002 | 2.4 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006 |
| 2001 | 1.7 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006 |
| 2000 | 2.5 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006 |
Annual inflation
| 2005 | 4.6 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006 |
| 2004 | 7.4 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006 |
| 2003 | 6.1 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006 |
| 2002 | 3.1 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006 |
| 2001 | 1.9 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006 |
| 2000 | 5.2 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2006 |
Share of income or consumption (poorest 10 percent)
0.3 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
Share of income or consumption (richest 10 percent)
47.2 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
HEALTH
Physicians
Percentage HIV+ (adults aged 15-49)
Malaria
Risk from P.vivax throughout the year below 2500m in the departments of Beni, Pando, Santa Cruz, Tarija and in the provinces of Lacareja, Rurenabaque and North and South Yungas in La Paz Department. Lower risk in Cochabamba and Chuquisaca. P.falciparum malaria occurs in Beni and Pando. P. falciparum resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine reported.
Source: WHO
TB cases
| 1990-2004 | 122 per 100,000 people | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 1990-2003 | 76 per 100,000 people | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 1990-2002 | 130 per 100,000 people | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
Percentage HIV+ (adults aged 15-49)
| 2005 | 0.1 percent | U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2006 |
| 2003 | 0.1 percent | UNAIDS 2006 |
Malaria
Risk from P.vivax throughout the year below 2500m in the departments of Beni, Pando, Santa Cruz, Tarija and in the provinces of Lacareja, Rurenabaque and North and South Yungas in La Paz Department. Lower risk in Cochabamba and Chuquisaca. P.falciparum malaria occurs in Beni and Pando. P. falciparum resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine reported.
Source: WHO
TB cases
| 2004 | 217 per 100,000 people | WHO 2006 |
| 2003 | 222 per 100,000 people | WHO 2006 |
| 2002 | 227 per 100,000 people | WHO 2006 |
| 2001 | 232 per 100,000 people | WHO 2006 |
| 2000 | 237 per 100,000 people | WHO 2006 |
CONFLICT & MIGRATION
Number of refugees originating here
Number of refugees residing here
Number of internally displaced people\Estimate
No data available
Landmine casualties per year
Casualty figures may include both civilians and military personnel injured or killed by landmines and unexploded ordnance.
Signatory to landmine convention?
Yes (1997)
Source: Landmine Monitor Report
Percentage of GDP spent on military
Percentage of GDP spent on education
Percentage of GDP spent on health
| 2005 | 269 | Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) |
| 2004 | 285 | UNHCR |
| 2003 | 264 | UNHCR |
| 2002 | 219 | UNHCR |
| 2001 | 156 | UNHCR |
| 2000 | 175 | UNHCR |
Number of refugees residing here
| 2005 | 535 | UNHCR |
| 2004 | 524 | UNHCR |
| 2003 | 527 | UNHCR |
| 2002 | 350 | UNHCR |
| 2001 | 347 | UNHCR |
| 2000 | 351 | UNHCR |
Number of internally displaced people\Estimate
No data available
Landmine casualties per year
| 2004 | 0 | Landmine Monitor Report 2005 |
| 2003 | 2 | Landmine Monitor Report 2004 |
Casualty figures may include both civilians and military personnel injured or killed by landmines and unexploded ordnance.
Signatory to landmine convention?
Yes (1997)
Source: Landmine Monitor Report
Percentage of GDP spent on military
| 2004 | 2 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 1.7 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
Percentage of GDP spent on education
| 2002-2004 | 6.4 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2000-2002 | 6.3 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 1999-2001 | 6.0 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 1998-2000 | 5.5 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
Percentage of GDP spent on health
| 2003-2004 | 4.3 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2002 | 4.2 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2001 | 3.5 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2000 | 4.9 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
AlertNet makes every effort to ensure statistics are updated from the relevant sources as soon as they are available.
