2016 Edition

Background

Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825; much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of nearly 200 coups and countercoups. Democratic civilian rule was established in 1982, but leaders have faced difficult problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and illegal drug production. In December 2005, Bolivians elected Movement Toward Socialism leader Evo MORALES president - by the widest margin of any leader since the restoration of civilian rule in 1982 - after he ran on a promise to change the country's traditional political class and empower the nation's poor, indigenous majority. In December 2009 and October 2014, President MORALES easily won reelection. His party maintained control of the legislative branch of the government, which has allowed him to continue his process of change. In October 2011, the country held its first judicial elections to select judges for the four highest courts. MORALES has publicly described the elected judiciary as a failed experiment that has not resolved judicial backlogs or extended pre-trial detention. He has called for a public referendum on the judicial system.

Area

1,098,581 sq km 1,083,301 sq km 15,280 sq km

land

1,083,301 sq km

total

1,098,581 sq km

water

15,280 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than three times the size of Montana

Climate

varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation

1,192 m lowest point: Rio Paraguay 90 m highest point: Nevado Sajama 6,542 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Rio Paraguay 90 m

highest point

Nevado Sajama 6,542 m

mean elevation

1,192 m

Environment - current issues

the clearing of land for agricultural purposes and the international demand for tropical timber are contributing to deforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation methods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification; loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies used for drinking and irrigation

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation

Geographic coordinates

17 00 S, 65 00 W

Geography - note

landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru

Irrigated land

3,000 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

7,252 km Argentina 942 km, Brazil 3,403 km, Chile 942 km, Paraguay 753 km, Peru 1,212 km

border countries (5)

Argentina 942 km, Brazil 3,403 km, Chile 942 km, Paraguay 753 km, Peru 1,212 km

total

7,252 km

Land use

34.3% arable land 3.6%; permanent crops 0.2%; permanent pasture 30.5% 52.5% 13.2% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

34.3%

forest

52.5%

other

13.2% (2011 est.)

Location

Central South America, southwest of Brazil

Map references

South America

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

flooding in the northeast (March to April) volcanic activity in Andes Mountains on the border with Chile; historically active volcanoes in this region are Irruputuncu (elev. 5,163 m), which last erupted in 1995, and Olca-Paruma

volcanism

volcanic activity in Andes Mountains on the border with Chile; historically active volcanoes in this region are Irruputuncu (elev. 5,163 m), which last erupted in 1995, and Olca-Paruma

Natural resources

tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, hydropower

Population - distribution

a high altitude plain in the west between two cordillera of the Andes, known as the Altiplano, is the focal area for most of the population; a dense settlement pattern is also found in and around the city of Santa Cruz, located on the eastern side of the Andes

Terrain

rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, lowland plains of the Amazon Basin

Age structure

32.36% (male 1,808,567/female 1,740,760) 19.55% (male 1,086,134/female 1,058,584) 37.08% (male 1,986,514/female 2,081,415) 5.83% (male 296,197/female 343,394) 5.18% (male 250,749/female 317,335) (2016 est.)

0-14 years

32.36% (male 1,808,567/female 1,740,760)

15-24 years

19.55% (male 1,086,134/female 1,058,584)

25-54 years

37.08% (male 1,986,514/female 2,081,415)

55-64 years

5.83% (male 296,197/female 343,394)

65 years and over

5.18% (male 250,749/female 317,335) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

22.4 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

757,352 26.4% data represent children ages 5-17 (2008 est.)

note

data represent children ages 5-17 (2008 est.)

percentage

26.4%

total number

757,352

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

4.5% (2008)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

60.5% (2008)

Death rate

6.5 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Demographic profile

Bolivia ranks at or near the bottom among Latin American countries in several areas of health and development, including poverty, education, fertility, malnutrition, mortality, and life expectancy. On the positive side, more children are being vaccinated and more pregnant women are getting prenatal care and having skilled health practitioners attend their births. Bolivia's income inequality is the highest in Latin America and one of the highest in the world. Public education is of poor quality, and educational opportunities are among the most unevenly distributed in Latin America, with girls and indigenous and rural children less likely to be literate or to complete primary school. The lack of access to education and family planning services helps to sustain Bolivia's high fertility rate - approximately three children per woman. Bolivia's lack of clean water and basic sanitation, especially in rural areas, contributes to health problems. Almost 7% of Bolivia's population lives abroad, primarily to work in Argentina, Brazil, Spain, and the United States. In recent years, more restrictive immigration policies in Europe and the United States have increased the flow of Bolivian emigrants to neighboring Argentina and Brazil.

Dependency ratios

63.7% 53.1% 10.6% 9.4% (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

10.6%

potential support ratio

9.4% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

63.7%

youth dependency ratio

53.1%

Drinking water source

urban: 96.7% of population rural: 75.6% of population total: 90% of population urban: 3.3% of population rural: 24.4% of population total: 10% of population (2015 est.)

rural

24.4% of population

total

10% of population (2015 est.)

urban

3.3% of population

Education expenditures

7.3% of GDP (2014)

Ethnic groups

mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry) 68%, indigenous 20%, white 5%, cholo/chola 2%, black 1%, other 1%, unspecified 3% ; 44% of respondents indicated feeling part of some indigenous group, predominantly Quechua or Aymara results among surveys vary based on the wording of the ethnicity question and the available response choices; the 2001 national census did not provide "mestizo" as a response choice, resulting in a much higher proportion of respondents identifying themselves as belonging to one of the available indigenous ethnicity choices; the use of "mestizo" and "cholo" varies among response choices in surveys, with surveys using the terms interchanageably, providing one or the other as a response choice, or providing the two as separate response choices (2009 est.)

note

results among surveys vary based on the wording of the ethnicity question and the available response choices; the 2001 national census did not provide "mestizo" as a response choice, resulting in a much higher proportion of respondents identifying themselves as belonging to one of the available indigenous ethnicity choices; the use of "mestizo" and "cholo" varies among response choices in surveys, with surveys using the terms interchanageably, providing one or the other as a response choice, or providing the two as separate response choices (2009 est.)

Health expenditures

6.3% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.29% (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

800 (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

18,200 (2015 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.1 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

36.4 deaths/1,000 live births 39.9 deaths/1,000 live births 32.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

female

32.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

male

39.9 deaths/1,000 live births

total

36.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Spanish (official) 60.7%, Quechua (official) 21.2%, Aymara (official) 14.6%, foreign languages 2.4%, Guarani (official) 0.6%, other native languages 0.4%, none 0.1% Bolivia's 2009 constitution designates Spanish and all indigenous languages as official; 36 indigenous languages are specified, including some that are extinct (2001 est.)

note

Bolivia's 2009 constitution designates Spanish and all indigenous languages as official; 36 indigenous languages are specified, including some that are extinct (2001 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

69.2 years 66.4 years 72.1 years (2016 est.)

female

72.1 years (2016 est.)

male

66.4 years

total population

69.2 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 95.7% 97.8% 93.6% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

93.6% (2015 est.)

male

97.8%

total population

95.7%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A

note

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever

Major urban areas - population

Santa Cruz 2.107 million; LA PAZ (capital) 1.816 million; Cochabamba 1.24 million; Sucre (constitutional capital) 372,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

206 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

24 years 23.3 years 24.7 years (2016 est.)

female

24.7 years (2016 est.)

male

23.3 years

total

24 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

21.2 median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2008 est.)

note

median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2008 est.)

Nationality

Bolivian(s) Bolivian

adjective

Bolivian

noun

Bolivian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

15.8% (2014)

Physicians density

0.47 physicians/1,000 population (2011)

Population

10,969,649 (July 2016 est.)

Population distribution

a high altitude plain in the west between two cordillera of the Andes, known as the Altiplano, is the focal area for most of the population; a dense settlement pattern is also found in and around the city of Santa Cruz, located on the eastern side of the Andes

Population growth rate

1.54% (2016 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 76.8%, Evangelical and Pentecostal 8.1%, Protestant 7.9%, other 1.7%, none 5.5% (2012 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 60.8% of population rural: 27.5% of population total: 50.3% of population urban: 39.2% of population rural: 72.5% of population total: 49.7% of population (2015 est.)

rural

72.5% of population

total

49.7% of population (2015 est.)

urban

39.2% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 14 years 14 years (2007)

female

14 years (2007)

male

14 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 0.79 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.03 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.95 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.86 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.79 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.68 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

6.2% 5.1% 7.8% (2011 est.)

female

7.8% (2011 est.)

male

5.1%

total

6.2%

Urbanization

68.5% of total population (2015) 2.26% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.26% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

68.5% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

9 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Beni, Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, Tarija

Capital

La Paz (administrative capital); Sucre (constitutional [legislative and judicial] capital) 16 30 S, 68 09 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

16 30 S, 68 09 W

name

La Paz (administrative capital); Sucre (constitutional [legislative and judicial] capital)

time difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

yes yes yes 3 years

citizenship by birth

yes

citizenship by descent

yes

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

3 years

Constitution

many previous; latest drafted 6 August 2006 - 9 December 2008, approved by referendum 25 January 2009, effective 7 February 2009; amended 2013; note - in early 2016, a proposed amendment allowing the president and vice-president to run for a third term was defeated in a referendum (2016)

Country name

Plurinational State of Bolivia Bolivia Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia Bolivia the country is named after Simon BOLIVAR, a 19th-century leader in the South American wars for independence

conventional long form

Plurinational State of Bolivia

conventional short form

Bolivia

etymology

the country is named after Simon BOLIVAR, a 19th-century leader in the South American wars for independence

local long form

Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia

local short form

Bolivia

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Peter Brennan (since June 2014 Avenida Arce 2780, Casilla 425, La Paz P. O. Box 425, La Paz; APO AA 34032 [591] (2) 216-8000 [591] (2) 216-8111 in September 2008, the Bolivian Government expelled the US Ambassador to Bolivia, and the countries have yet to reinstate ambassadors

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Peter Brennan (since June 2014

embassy

Avenida Arce 2780, Casilla 425, La Paz

FAX

[591] (2) 216-8111

mailing address

P. O. Box 425, La Paz; APO AA 34032

note

in September 2008, the Bolivian Government expelled the US Ambassador to Bolivia, and the countries have yet to reinstate ambassadors

telephone

[591] (2) 216-8000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Freddy BERSATTI Tudela 3014 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 328-4155 [1] (202) 328-3712 Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington,DC as of September 2008, the US expelled the Bolivian ambassador to the US

chancery

3014 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Freddy BERSATTI Tudela

consulate(s) general

Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington,DC

FAX

[1] (202) 328-3712

note

as of September 2008, the US expelled the Bolivian ambassador to the US

telephone

[1] (202) 328-4155

Executive branch

President Juan Evo MORALES Ayma (since 22 January 2006); Vice President Alvaro GARCIA Linera (since 22 January 2006); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President Juan Evo MORALES Ayma (since 22 January 2006); Vice President Alvaro GARCIA Linera (since 22 January 2006) Cabinet appointed by the president president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 12 October 2014 (next to be held in 2019); note - a presidential candidate wins an election one of 3 ways Juan Evo MORALES Ayma reelected president; percent of vote - Juan Evo MORALES Ayma 61%; Samuel DORIA MEDINA Arana 24.5%; Jorge QUIROGA 9.1%; other 5.4%

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president

chief of state

President Juan Evo MORALES Ayma (since 22 January 2006); Vice President Alvaro GARCIA Linera (since 22 January 2006); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Juan Evo MORALES Ayma reelected president; percent of vote - Juan Evo MORALES Ayma 61%; Samuel DORIA MEDINA Arana 24.5%; Jorge QUIROGA 9.1%; other 5.4%

elections/appointments

president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 12 October 2014 (next to be held in 2019); note - a presidential candidate wins an election one of 3 ways

head of government

President Juan Evo MORALES Ayma (since 22 January 2006); Vice President Alvaro GARCIA Linera (since 22 January 2006)

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with the coat of arms centered on the yellow band; red stands for bravery and the blood of national heroes, yellow for the nation's mineral resources, and green for the fertility of the land similar to the flag of Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; in 2009, a presidential decree made it mandatory for a so-called wiphala - a square, multi-colored flag representing the country's indigenous peoples - to be used alongside the traditional flag

note

similar to the flag of Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; in 2009, a presidential decree made it mandatory for a so-called wiphala - a square, multi-colored flag representing the country's indigenous peoples - to be used alongside the traditional flag

Government type

presidential republic

Independence

6 August 1825 (from Spain)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

CAN, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (consists of 12 judges); Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal (consists of 7 primary and 7 alternate magistrates); Plurinational Electoral Organ (consists of 7 members) Supreme Court and Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal judges elected by popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Plurinational Legislative Assembly for 6-year terms); Plurinational Electoral Organ members - 6 judges elected by the Assembly and 1 appointed by the president; judges and members serve 6-year terms; note - the 2009 constitution reformed the procedure for selecting judicial officials for the Supreme Court, Constitutional Tribunal, and the Plurinational Electoral Organ by direct national vote, which occurred in October 2011 Agro-Environmental Court; Council of the Judiciary; District Courts (in each of the 9 administrative departments)

highest court(s)

Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (consists of 12 judges); Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal (consists of 7 primary and 7 alternate magistrates); Plurinational Electoral Organ (consists of 7 members)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court and Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal judges elected by popular vote from list of candidates pre-selected by Plurinational Legislative Assembly for 6-year terms); Plurinational Electoral Organ members - 6 judges elected by the Assembly and 1 appointed by the president; judges and members serve 6-year terms; note - the 2009 constitution reformed the procedure for selecting judicial officials for the Supreme Court, Constitutional Tribunal, and the Plurinational Electoral Organ by direct national vote, which occurred in October 2011

subordinate courts

Agro-Environmental Court; Council of the Judiciary; District Courts (in each of the 9 administrative departments)

Legal system

civil law system with influences from Roman, Spanish, canon (religious), French, and indigenous law

Legislative branch

bicameral Plurinational Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa Plurinacional consists of the Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (36 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (130 seats; 70 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 53 indirectly elected in single-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote, and 7 - apportioned to non-contiguous, rural areas in 7 of the 9 states - directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms) Chamber of Senators and Chamber of Deputies - last held on 12 October 2014 (next to be held in 2019) Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MAS 25, UD 9, PDC 2; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MAS 88, UD 32, PDC 10

description

bicameral Plurinational Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa Plurinacional consists of the Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (36 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (130 seats; 70 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 53 indirectly elected in single-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote, and 7 - apportioned to non-contiguous, rural areas in 7 of the 9 states - directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms)

election results

Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MAS 25, UD 9, PDC 2; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MAS 88, UD 32, PDC 10

elections

Chamber of Senators and Chamber of Deputies - last held on 12 October 2014 (next to be held in 2019)

National anthem

"Cancion Patriotica" (Patriotic Song) Jose Ignacio de SANJINES/Leopoldo Benedetto VINCENTI adopted 1852

lyrics/music

Jose Ignacio de SANJINES/Leopoldo Benedetto VINCENTI

name

"Cancion Patriotica" (Patriotic Song)

note

adopted 1852

National holiday

Independence Day, 6 August (1825)

National symbol(s)

llama, Andean condor; national colors: red, yellow, green

llama, Andean condor; national colors

red, yellow, green

Political parties and leaders

Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Jorge Fernando QUIROGA Ramirez] Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Juan Evo MORALES Ayma] United Democrats or UD [Samuel DORIA MEDINA Arana]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Bolivian Workers Central or COB Federation of Neighborhood Councils of El Alto or FEJUVE Landless Movement or MST National Coordinator for Change or CONALCAM Sole Confederation of Campesino Workers of Bolivia or CSUTCB Cocalero groups; indigenous organizations (including Confederation of Indigenous Peoples of Eastern Bolivia or CIDOB and National Council of Ayullus and Markas of Quollasuyu or CONAMAQ); Interculturales union or CSCIB; labor unions (including the Central Bolivian Workers' Union or COB and Cooperative Miners Federation or FENCOMIN)

other

Cocalero groups; indigenous organizations (including Confederation of Indigenous Peoples of Eastern Bolivia or CIDOB and National Council of Ayullus and Markas of Quollasuyu or CONAMAQ); Interculturales union or CSCIB; labor unions (including the Central Bolivian Workers' Union or COB and Cooperative Miners Federation or FENCOMIN)

Suffrage

18 years of age, universal and compulsory

Agriculture - products

soybeans, quinoa, Brazil nuts, sugarcane, coffee, corn, rice, potatoes, chia, coca

Budget

$15.78 billion $18.05 billion (2015 est.)

expenditures

$18.05 billion (2015 est.)

revenues

$15.78 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-6.8% of GDP (2015 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4.5% (31 December 2013) 4% (31 december 2012)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

8.07% (31 December 2015 est.) 9.69% (31 December 2014 est.)

Current account balance

-$2.286 billion (2015 est.) $61 million (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$9.035 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $8.781 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

46.6 (2012) 57.9 (1999)

Economy - overview

Bolivia is a resource rich country with strong growth attributed to captive markets for natural gas exports – to Brazil and Argentina. Gas accounts for roughly 50% of Bolivia's total exports and will fund more than half of its 2015 budget. However, the country remains one of the least developed countries in Latin America because of state-oriented policies that deter investment and growth. Following a disastrous economic crisis during the early 1980s, reforms spurred private investment, stimulated economic growth, and cut poverty rates in the 1990s. The period 2003-05 was characterized by political instability, racial tensions, and violent protests against plans - subsequently abandoned - to export Bolivia's newly discovered natural gas reserves to large Northern Hemisphere markets. In 2005, the government passed a controversial hydrocarbons law that imposed significantly higher royalties and required foreign firms then operating under risk-sharing contracts to surrender all production to the state energy company in exchange for a predetermined service fee. The global recession slowed growth, but Bolivia recorded the highest growth rate in South America during 2009 and has averaged 5.3% growth each year since 2009. High commodity prices between 2010 and 2013 sustained rapid growth and large trade surpluses. The global decline in oil prices in late 2014 exerted downward pressure on the price Bolivia receives for exported gas and resulted in lower GDP growth rates and losses in government revenue in 2015. A lack of foreign investment in the key sectors of mining and hydrocarbons, along with conflict among social groups, pose challenges for the Bolivian economy. In 2015, President Evo MORALES expanded efforts to court international investment and boost Bolivia’s energy production capacity. MORALES passed an investment law and promised not to nationalize additional industries in an effort to improve the investment climate.

Exchange rates

bolivianos (BOB) per US dollar - 6.91 (2015 est.) 6.91 (2014 est.) 6.91 (2013 est.) 6.94 (2012 est.) 6.9875 (2011 est.)

Exports

$8.197 billion (2015 est.) $12.15 billion (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

natural gas, mineral ores, gold, soybeans and soy products, tin

Exports - partners

Brazil 28.1%, Argentina 16.9%, US 12.1%, Colombia 6.3%, China 5.3%, Japan 4.7%, South Korea 4.3% (2015)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

69.3% 17.5% 21.3% -2.1% 30.9% -36.9% (2015 est.)

exports of goods and services

30.9%

government consumption

17.5%

household consumption

69.3%

imports of goods and services

-36.9% (2015 est.)

investment in fixed capital

21.3%

investment in inventories

-2.1%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

13.5% 38.6% 53.2% (2015 est.)

agriculture

13.5%

industry

38.6%

services

53.2% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$6,500 (2015 est.) $6,300 (2014 est.) $6,100 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.8% (2015 est.) 5.5% (2014 est.) 6.8% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$33.21 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$74.39 billion (2015 est.) $70.98 billion (2014 est.) $67.31 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

Gross national saving

12.7% of GDP (2015 est.) 21% of GDP (2014 est.) 22.5% of GDP (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

0.8% 33.6% (2012 est.)

highest 10%

33.6% (2012 est.)

lowest 10%

0.8%

Imports

$9.069 billion (2015 est.) $9.935 billion (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery, petroleum products, vehicles, iron and steel, plastics

Imports - partners

China 17.9%, Brazil 16.5%, Argentina 11.8%, US 10.6%, Peru 6.2%, Japan 5.2%, Chile 4.6% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

2.6% (2015 est.)

Industries

mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverages, tobacco, handicrafts, clothing, jewelry

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.1% (2015 est.) 5.8% (2014 est.)

Labor force

4.915 million (2015 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

32% 20% 47.9% (2009 est.)

agriculture

32%

industry

20%

services

47.9% (2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$9.684 billion (31 December 2013) $7.689 billion (31 December 2012) $6.089 billion (31 December 2011)

Population below poverty line

45% based on percent of population living on less than the international standard of $2/day (2011 est.)

note

based on percent of population living on less than the international standard of $2/day (2011 est.)

Public debt

38.5% of GDP (2015 est.) 35.2% of GDP (2014 est.) data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities

note

data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$13.06 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $15.12 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

$20.19 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $17.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$0 (31 December 2013 est.) $0 (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$10.56 billion (31 December 2013) $8.809 billion (31 December 2012)

Stock of domestic credit

$18.9 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $14.55 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$8.946 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $8.386 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

47.5% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

7.4% (2015 est.) 7.3% (2014 est.) data are for urban areas; widespread underemployment

note

data are for urban areas; widespread underemployment

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

16 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - production

55,610 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

209.8 million bbl (1 January 2016 es)

Electricity - consumption

7.5 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

68.8% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

30% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

1.3% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

2.2 million kW (2014 est.)

Electricity - production

8.4 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity access

1,200,000 90% 99% 72% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

72% (2013)

electrification - total population

90%

electrification - urban areas

99%

population without electricity

1,200,000

Natural gas - consumption

3.536 billion cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - exports

17.86 billion cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

21.4 billion cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

295.9 billion cu m (1 January 2016 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

78,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

7,292 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

19,940 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

54,210 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Broadcast media

large number of radio and TV stations broadcasting with private media outlets dominating; state-owned and private radio and TV stations generally operating freely, although both pro-government and anti-government groups have attacked media outlets in response to their reporting (2010)

Internet country code

.bo

Internet users

4.871 million 45.1% (July 2015 est.)

percent of population

45.1% (July 2015 est.)

total

4.871 million

Telephone system

Bolivian National Telecommunications Company was privatized in 1995 but re-nationalized in 2007; the primary trunk system is being expanded and employs digital microwave radio relay; some areas are served by fiber-optic cable; system operations, reliability, and coverage have steadily improved most telephones are concentrated in La Paz, Santa Cruz, and other capital cities; mobile-cellular telephone use expanding rapidly and, in 2015, teledensity reached about 95 per 100 persons country code - 591; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2015)

domestic

most telephones are concentrated in La Paz, Santa Cruz, and other capital cities; mobile-cellular telephone use expanding rapidly and, in 2015, teledensity reached about 95 per 100 persons

general assessment

Bolivian National Telecommunications Company was privatized in 1995 but re-nationalized in 2007; the primary trunk system is being expanded and employs digital microwave radio relay; some areas are served by fiber-optic cable; system operations, reliability, and coverage have steadily improved

international

country code - 591; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

881,084 8 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

8 (July 2015 est.)

total subscriptions

881,084

Telephones - mobile cellular

10.163 million 94 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

94 (July 2015 est.)

total

10.163 million

Airports

855 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

6 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

6

2,438 to 3,047 m

4

914 to 1,523 m

6 (2013)

over 3,047 m

5

total

21

Airports - with unpaved runways

631 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

47

2,438 to 3,047 m

4

914 to 1,523 m

151

over 3,047 m

1

total

834

under 914 m

631 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

CP (2016)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 1, cargo 14, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 2 5 (Syria 4, UK 1, (2010)

by type

bulk carrier 1, cargo 14, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 2

foreign-owned

5 (Syria 4, UK 1, (2010)

total

18

National air transport system

2,578,959 9,456,548 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

9,456,548 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

2,578,959

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

39

number of registered air carriers

7

Pipelines

gas 5,457 km; liquid petroleum gas 51 km; oil 2,511 km; refined products 1,627 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Puerto Aguirre (Paraguay/Parana) Bolivia has free port privileges in maritime ports in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay

note

Bolivia has free port privileges in maritime ports in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay

river port(s)

Puerto Aguirre (Paraguay/Parana)

Railways

3,504 km 3,504 km 1.000-m gauge (2014)

narrow gauge

3,504 km 1.000-m gauge (2014)

total

3,504 km

Roadways

80,488 km 6,850 km 73,638 km (2010)

paved

6,850 km

total

80,488 km

unpaved

73,638 km (2010)

Waterways

10,000 km (commercially navigable almost exclusively in the northern and eastern parts of the country) (2012)

Military branches

Bolivian Armed Forces: Bolivian Army (Ejercito Boliviano, EB), Bolivian Naval Force (Fuerza Naval Boliviana, FNB; includes Marines), Bolivian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Boliviana, FAB) (2013)

Bolivian Armed Forces

Bolivian Army (Ejercito Boliviano, EB), Bolivian Naval Force (Fuerza Naval Boliviana, FNB; includes Marines), Bolivian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Boliviana, FAB) (2013)

Military expenditures

1.47% of GDP (2012) 1.47% of GDP (2011) 1.47% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18-49 years of age for 12-month compulsory male and female military service; Bolivian citizenship required; 17 years of age for voluntary service; when annual number of volunteers falls short of goal, compulsory recruitment is effected, including conscription of boys as young as 14; 15-19 years of age for voluntary premilitary service, provides exemption from further military service (2013)

Disputes - international

Chile and Peru rebuff Bolivia's reactivated claim to restore the Atacama corridor, ceded to Chile in 1884, but Chile offers instead unrestricted but not sovereign maritime access through Chile for Bolivian natural gas; contraband smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal narcotic trafficking are problems in the porous areas of the border with Argentina

Illicit drugs

world's third-largest cultivator of coca (after Colombia and Peru) with an estimated 30,000 hectares under cultivation in 2011, a decrease of 13 percent over 2010; third largest producer of cocaine, estimated at 265 metric tons potential pure cocaine in 2011, a 29 percent increase over 2010; transit country for Peruvian and Colombian cocaine destined for Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Europe; weak border controls; some money-laundering activity related to narcotics trade; major cocaine consumption (2013)

Trafficking in persons

Bolivia is a source country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking domestically and abroad; indigenous children are particularly vulnerable; Bolivia is a source country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking domestically and abroad; rural and poor Bolivians, most of whom are indigenous, and LGBT youth are particularly vulnerable; Bolivians perform forced labor domestically in mining, ranching, agriculture, and domestic service, and a significant number are in forced labor abroad in sweatshops, agriculture, domestic service, and the informal sector; women and girls are sex trafficked within Bolivia and in neighboring countries, such as Argentina, Peru, and Chile; a limited number of women from nearby countries are sex trafficked in Bolivia Tier 2 Watch List – Bolivia does not comply fully with the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government did not demonstrate overall increasing anti-trafficking efforts, and poor data collection made it difficult to assess the number of investigations, prosecutions, and victim identifications and referrals to care services; authorities did not adequately differentiate between human trafficking and other crimes, such as domestic violence and child abuse; law enforcement failed to implement an early detection protocol for identifying trafficking cases and lacked a formal process for identifying trafficking victims among vulnerable populations; specialized victim services were inadequately funded and virtually non-existent for adult women and male victims (2015)

current situation

Bolivia is a source country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking domestically and abroad; indigenous children are particularly vulnerable; Bolivia is a source country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking domestically and abroad; rural and poor Bolivians, most of whom are indigenous, and LGBT youth are particularly vulnerable; Bolivians perform forced labor domestically in mining, ranching, agriculture, and domestic service, and a significant number are in forced labor abroad in sweatshops, agriculture, domestic service, and the informal sector; women and girls are sex trafficked within Bolivia and in neighboring countries, such as Argentina, Peru, and Chile; a limited number of women from nearby countries are sex trafficked in Bolivia

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List – Bolivia does not comply fully with the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government did not demonstrate overall increasing anti-trafficking efforts, and poor data collection made it difficult to assess the number of investigations, prosecutions, and victim identifications and referrals to care services; authorities did not adequately differentiate between human trafficking and other crimes, such as domestic violence and child abuse; law enforcement failed to implement an early detection protocol for identifying trafficking cases and lacked a formal process for identifying trafficking victims among vulnerable populations; specialized victim services were inadequately funded and virtually non-existent for adult women and male victims (2015)