World · permanent entity record · BL

Bolivia

Thirty-second orientation

Bolivia at a glance

Capital: La Paz (administrative capital); Sucre (constitutional [legislative and judicial] capital); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population: 12,581,843; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area: 1,098,581 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym: noun: Bolivian(s); adjective: Bolivian; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages: Spanish (official) 68.1%, Quechua (official) 17.2%, Aymara (official) 10.5%, Guarani (official) 0.6%, other 1.5%, unspecified 2.1%; note - Spanish and all Indigenous languages are official (2012 est.); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Bolivia through time

1945-11-14
Admitted to the United Nations
Bolivia became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

Field	Maintained Almanac value	Final CIA profile
Population	12,581,843World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025	total: 12,436,103 (2025 est.) male: 6,257,914 female: 6,178,189CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-20

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product: $64.8 billion; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person: $5,148; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth: 68.7 years; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population: 71.6%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity: 96.6%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet: 79.7%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital: La Paz (administrative capital); Sucre (constitutional [legislative and judicial] capital); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area: 1,098,581 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population: 12,581,843; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency: bolivianos (BOB); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages: Spanish (official) 68.1%, Quechua (official) 17.2%, Aymara (official) 10.5%, Guarani (official) 0.6%, other 1.5%, unspecified 2.1%; note - Spanish and all Indigenous languages are official (2012 est.); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym: noun: Bolivian(s); adjective: Bolivian; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
UN membership: 1945-11-14; United Nations, Member States · as of 2026-09-04
Continent: South America; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “South America.”
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate: varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions: Roman Catholic 65%, Protestant 19.6% (Evangelical (non-specific) 11.9%, Evangelical Baptist 2.1%, Evangelical Pentecostal 1.8%, Evangelical Methodist 0.7%, Adventist 2.8%, Protestant (non-specific) 0.3%), Believer (not belonging to the church) 0.9%, other 4.8%, atheist 1.7%, agnostic 0.6%, none 6.1%, unspecified 1.3% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors: red, yellow, green; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol: llama, Andean condor; two national flowers, the cantuta and the patuju; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Nationally recognized: Carnival of Oruro — inscribed 2008; UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity · as of 2026-09-10Inscribed heritage: a recognition this state sought and obtained, dated by its inscription on the Representative List.
Highest point: Nevado Sajama · 21,463 ft (6,542 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point: Rio Paraguay · 295 ft (90 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership: Not a member; NATO, What is NATO? · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership: Not a member; BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-20 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

Background: Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simón BOLÍVAR, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825. Much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of coups and countercoups, with the last coup occurring in 1980. Democratic civilian rule was established in 1982, but leaders have faced problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and illegal drug production. In 2005, Bolivians elected Movement Toward Socialism leader Evo MORALES as president -- by the widest margin of any leader since 1982 -- after he ran on a promise to change the country's traditional political class and empower the poor and indigenous majority. In 2009 and 2014, MORALES easily won reelection, and his party maintained control of the legislative branch. In 2016, MORALES narrowly lost a referendum to approve a constitutional amendment that would have allowed him to compete in the 2019 presidential election. A subsequent Supreme Court ruling stating that term limits violate human rights provided the justification for MORALES to run despite the referendum, but rising violence, pressure from the military, and widespread allegations of electoral fraud ultimately forced him to flee the country. An interim government, led by President Jeanine AÑEZ Chávez, held new elections in 2020, and Luis Alberto ARCE Catacora was elected president.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Geography20 fields

Location: Central South America, southwest of Brazil; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geographic coordinates: 17 00 S, 65 00 W; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Map references: South America; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area: total : 1,098,581 sq km land: 1,083,301 sq km water: 15,280 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area - comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Montana; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land boundaries: total: 7,252 km border countries (5): Argentina 942 km; Brazil 3,403 km; Chile 942 km; Paraguay 753 km; Peru 1,212 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maritime claims: none (landlocked); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Terrain: rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, lowland plains of the Amazon Basin; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Elevation: highest point: Nevado Sajama 6,542 m lowest point: Rio Paraguay 90 m mean elevation: 1,192 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural resources: lithium, tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, hydropower; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 35.8% (2023 est.) arable land: 5.1% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 30.5% (2023 est.) forest: 50.6% (2023 est.) other: 13.5% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Irrigated land: 2,972 sq km (2017); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major lakes (area sq km): fresh water lake(s): Lago Titicaca (shared with Peru) - 8,030 sq km salt water lake(s): Lago Poopo - 1,340 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Paraná (2,582,704 sq km); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major aquifers: Amazon Basin; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural hazards: flooding in the northeast (March to April) volcanism: volcanic activity in Andes Mountains on the border with Chile; historically active volcanoes in this region are Irruputuncu (5,163 m), which last erupted in 1995, and the Olca-Paruma volcanic complex (5,762 m to 5,167 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geography - note: landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

People and Society35 fields

Population: total: 12,436,103 (2025 est.) male: 6,257,914 female: 6,178,189; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Nationality: noun: Bolivian(s) adjective: Bolivian; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed White and Indigenous ancestry) 68%, Indigenous 20%, White 5%, Cholo/Chola 2%, African descent 1%, other 1%, unspecified 3%; 44% other Indigenous group, predominantly Quechua or Aymara (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 interchangeably, providing one or the other as a response choice, or providing the two as separate response choices; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Languages: Spanish (official) 68.1%, Quechua (official) 17.2%, Aymara (official) 10.5%, Guarani (official) 0.6%, other 1.5%, unspecified 2.1%; note - Spanish and all Indigenous languages are official (2012 est.) major-language sample(s): La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Religions: Roman Catholic 65%, Protestant 19.6% (Evangelical (non-specific) 11.9%, Evangelical Baptist 2.1%, Evangelical Pentecostal 1.8%, Evangelical Methodist 0.7%, Adventist 2.8%, Protestant (non-specific) 0.3%), Believer (not belonging to the church) 0.9%, other 4.8%, atheist 1.7%, agnostic 0.6%, none 6.1%, unspecified 1.3% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Age structure: 0-14 years: 28.5% (male 1,792,803/female 1,718,081) 15-64 years: 64.5% (male 4,002,587/female 3,937,953) 65 years and over: 7% (2024 est.) (male 397,384/female 463,166); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 54 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 42.9 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 11 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 9.1 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Median age: total: 27 years (2025 est.) male: 26.2 years female: 27 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population growth rate: 1.01% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Birth rate: 17.02 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Death rate: 5.99 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Net migration rate: -0.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 71.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.87% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major urban areas - population: 1.936 million LA PAZ (capital), 1.820 million Santa Cruz, 1.400 million Cochabamba (2022); 278,000 Sucre (constitutional capital) (2018); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Mother's mean age at first birth: 21.1 years (2008 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maternal mortality ratio: 146 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 22.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 24.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 20 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.5 years (2024 est.) male: 71 years female: 74 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total fertility rate: 2.13 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 1.04 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Drinking water source: urban: 99.5% of population (2022 est.) rural: 81% of population (2022 est.) total: 94.1% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0.5% of population (2022 est.) rural: 19% of population (2022 est.) total: 5.9% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Health expenditure: 8.2% of GDP (2021) 16.4% of national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Physician density: 1.28 physicians/1,000 population (2021); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Hospital bed density: 1.4 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sanitation facility access: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 51.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 85.8% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 48.6% of population (2022 est.) total: 14.2% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 20.2% (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Alcohol consumption per capita: total: 2.98 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 2.22 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.14 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.54 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.08 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Tobacco use: total: 11% (2025 est.) male: 18.9% (2025 est.) female: 3.2% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 3.4% (2016 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49): 50.2% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 3.4% (2016) women married by age 18: 19.7% (2016) men married by age 18: 5.2% (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Education expenditure: 8.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 10.8% national budget (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Literacy: total population: 95.6% (2023 est.) male: 97.8% (2023 est.) female: 93.5% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Environment11 fields

Environmental issues: deforestation from agricultural clearing and international demand for timber; 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International environmental agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 35.8% (2023 est.) arable land: 5.1% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 30.5% (2023 est.) forest: 50.6% (2023 est.) other: 13.5% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 71.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.87% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 21.552 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 24,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 13.647 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 7.881 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Particulate matter emissions: 24.6 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Methane emissions: energy: 122.8 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 673.4 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 73.1 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 150.3 kt (2019-2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 2.219 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 34.4% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 252.91 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 32 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 1.92 billion cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total renewable water resources: 574 billion cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Government25 fields

Country name: conventional long form: Plurinational State of Bolivia conventional short form: Bolivia local long form: Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia local short form: Bolivia former: Upper Peru etymology: the country is named in honor of Simón BOLÍVAR, a 19th-century leader in the South American wars for independence; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Government type: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Capital: name: La Paz (administrative capital); Sucre (constitutional [legislative and judicial] capital) geographic coordinates: 16 30 S, 68 09 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: La Paz is a shortening of the original name of the city, Pueblo Nuevo de Nuestra Señora de La Paz (New Town of Our Lady of Peace); Sucre is named after Antonio José de SUCRE (1795-1830), the second president of Bolivia note: at approximately 3,630 m above sea level, La Paz's elevation makes it the highest capital city in the world; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Administrative divisions: 9 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Beni, Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, Tarija; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legal system: civil law system with influences from Roman, Spanish, canon (religious), French, and ethnic groups' pre-colonial law; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Constitution: history: many previous; latest drafted 6 August 2006 to 9 December 2008, approved by referendum 25 January 2009, effective 7 February 2009 amendment process: proposed through public petition by at least 20% of voters or by the Plurinational Legislative Assembly; passage requires approval by at least two-thirds majority vote of the total membership of the Assembly and approval in a referendum; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 3 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: President Rodrigo PAZ Pereira (since 8 November 2025) head of government: President Rodrigo PAZ Pereira (since 8 November 2025) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president election/appointment process: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot one of 3 ways: candidate wins at least 50% of the vote, or at least 40% of the vote and 10% more than the next highest candidate; otherwise, a second round is held and the winner determined by simple majority vote; president and vice president are elected by majority vote to serve a 5-year term; no term limits most recent election date: 17 August 2025 election results: 2025: Rodrigo PAZ Pereira elected president in second round; percent vote in first round - Rodrigo PAZ Pereira (PDC) 32.1%, Jorge Fernando QUIROGA Ramírez (LIBRE) 26.7%, Samuel DORIA MEDINA Auza (UN) 19.7%, Andrónico RODRÌGUEZ Ledezma (AP) 8.5%, Manfred REYES Villa (APB Súmate) 6.8%, Eduardo DEL CASTILLO (MAS) 3.2%, other 3%; percent of vote in second round - Rodrigo PAZ Pereira 55%, Jorge Fernando QUIROGA Ramírez 45% 2020: Luis Alberto ARCE Catacora elected president; percent of vote - Luis Alberto ARCE Catacora (MAS) 55.1%; Carlos Diego MESA Gisbert (CC) 28.8%; Luis Fernando CAMACHO Vaca (Creemos) 14%; other 2.1% 2019: Juan Evo MORALES Ayma reelected president; percent of vote - Juan Evo MORALES Ayma (MAS) 61%; Samuel DORIA MEDINA Arana (UN) 24.5%; Jorge QUIROGA Ramirez (POC) 9.1%; other 5.4% expected date of next election: 2030 note: the president is both chief of state and head of government; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch: legislature name: Plurinational Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa Plurinacional) legislative structure: bicameral; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch - lower chamber: chamber name: Chamber of Deputies (Cámara de Diputados) number of seats: 130 (all directly elected) electoral system: mixed system scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 8/17/2025 parties elected and seats per party: Christian Democratic Party (PDC) (49); LIBRE (39); Unity (26); Popular Alliance (8); Other (8) percentage of women in chamber: 50.8% expected date of next election: August 2030; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch - upper chamber: chamber name: Chamber of Senators (Cámara de Senadores) number of seats: 36 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 8/17/2025 parties elected and seats per party: Christian Democratic Party (PDC) (16); LIBRE (12); Unity (7); Other (1) percentage of women in chamber: 58.3% expected date of next election: August 2030; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Judicial branch: highest court(s): Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (consists of 12 judges organized into civil, penal, social, and administrative chambers); Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal (consists of 7 primary and 7 alternate magistrates); Plurinational Electoral Organ (consists of 7 members and 6 alternates); National Agro-Environment Court (consists of 5 primary and 5 alternate judges; Council of the Judiciary (consists of 3 primary and 3 alternate judges) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court, Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal, National Agro-Environmental Court, and Council of the Judiciary candidates pre-selected by the Plurinational Legislative Assembly and elected by direct popular vote; judges elected for 6-year terms; Plurinational Electoral Organ judges appointed - 6 by the Legislative Assembly and 1 by the president of the republic; members serve single 6-year terms subordinate courts: National Electoral Court; District Courts (in each of the 9 administrative departments); agro-environmental lower courts; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Political parties: Autonomy for Bolivia – Súmate or APB Súmate Christian Democratic Party or PDC Community Citizen Alliance or ACC Freedom and Democracy or LIBRE Front for Victory or FPV Movement Toward Socialism or MAS National Unity or UN Popular Alliance or AP Revolutionary Left Front or FRI Revolutionary Nationalist Movement or MNR Social Democrat Movement or MDS Third System Movement or MTS We Believe or Creemos note: We Believe or Creemos [Luis Fernando CAMACHO Vaca] is a coalition comprised of several opposition parties that participated in the 2020 election, which includes the Christian Democratic Party (PDC) and Solidarity Civic Unity (UCS); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Henry BALDELOMAR CHÁVEZ (since 11 October 2023) chancery: 3014 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4410 FAX: [1] (202) 328-3712 email address and website: embolivia.wdc@gmail.com https://www.boliviawdc.org/en-us/ consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Debra HEVIA (since September 2023) embassy: Avenida Arce 2780, Casilla 425, La Paz mailing address: 3220 La Paz Place, Washington DC 20512-3220 telephone: [591] (2) 216-8000 FAX: [591] (2) 216-8111 email address and website: ConsularLaPazACS@state.gov https://bo.usembassy.gov/ note: in September 2008, the Bolivian Government expelled the US Ambassador to Bolivia, Philip GOLDBERG, and both countries have yet to reinstate their ambassadors; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMID, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Independence: 6 August 1825 (from Spain); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National holiday: Independence Day, 6 August (1825); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Flag: description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green, with the coat of arms centered on the yellow band meaning: red stands for bravery and the blood of national heroes, yellow for the nation's mineral resources, and green for the land's fertility history: in 2009, a presidential decree made it mandatory for a wiphala -- a square, multi-colored flag representing the country's ethnic groups -- to be used alongside the national flag note: similar to the flag of Ghana, which has a large, five-pointed black star centered in the yellow band; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National symbol(s): llama, Andean condor; two national flowers, the cantuta and the patuju; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National color(s): red, yellow, green; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National anthem(s): title: "Cancion Patriotica" (Patriotic Song) lyrics/music: Jose Ignacio de SANJINES/Leopoldo Benedetto VINCENTI history: adopted 1852; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 7 (6 cultural, 1 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: City of Potosi (c); El Fuerte de Samaipata (c); Historic Sucre (c); Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos (c); Noel Kempff Mercado National Park (n); Tiahuanacu (c); Qhapaq Ñan/Andean Road System (c); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Economy31 fields

Economic overview: resource-rich economy benefits during commodity booms; has bestowed juridical rights to Mother Earth, impacting extraction industries; increasing Chinese lithium mining trade relations; hard hit by COVID-19; increased fiscal spending amid poverty increases; rampant banking and finance corruption; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $122.2 billion (2024 est.) $120.531 billion (2023 est.) $116.927 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP growth rate: 1.4% (2024 est.) 3.1% (2023 est.) 3.6% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP per capita: $9,800 (2024 est.) $9,800 (2023 est.) $9,700 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $49.668 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.1% (2024 est.) 2.6% (2023 est.) 1.7% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 13.5% (2023 est.) industry: 24.2% (2023 est.) services: 51.1% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 68.5% (2023 est.) government consumption: 19.3% (2023 est.) investment in fixed capital: 17.5% (2023 est.) investment in inventories: 0.1% (2023 est.) exports of goods and services: 25.5% (2023 est.) imports of goods and services: -30.9% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Agricultural products: sugarcane, soybeans, maize, potatoes, sorghum, rice, milk, chicken, plantains, beef (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industries: mining, smelting, electricity, petroleum, food and beverages, handicrafts, clothing, jewelry; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industrial production growth rate: 1.1% (2023 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Labor force: 6.859 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Unemployment rate: 3.1% (2024 est.) 3.1% (2023 est.) 3.6% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total: 5.2% (2024 est.) male: 4.8% (2024 est.) female: 5.8% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population below poverty line: 37.7% (2022 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 42.1 (2023 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Average household expenditures: on food: 29.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 2.2% of household expenditures (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.8% (2023 est.) highest 10%: 31.3% (2023 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Remittances: 3.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 3.3% of GDP (2022 est.) 3.5% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Budget: revenues: $11.796 billion (2019 est.) expenditures: $14.75 billion (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Public debt: 49% of GDP (2017 est.) 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Current account balance: -$1.15 billion (2023 est.) $939.084 million (2022 est.) $1.581 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports: $11.905 billion (2023 est.) $14.465 billion (2022 est.) $11.594 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - partners: Brazil 15%, India 13%, China 11%, Argentina 11%, UAE 8% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - commodities: gold, natural gas, precious metal ore, zinc ore, soybean meal (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports: $12.988 billion (2023 est.) $13.462 billion (2022 est.) $10.187 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - partners: China 22%, Brazil 18%, Chile 13%, USA 7%, Peru 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cars, pesticides, trucks, plastics (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.977 billion (2024 est.) $1.8 billion (2023 est.) $3.752 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Debt - external: $11.174 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exchange rates: bolivianos (BOB) per US dollar - 6.91 (2024 est.) 6.91 (2023 est.) 6.91 (2022 est.) 6.91 (2021 est.) 6.91 (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Energy7 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 99.9% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 100% electrification - rural areas: 95.6%; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 4.375 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 10.863 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 1.079 billion kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 65% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 2.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 3.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 24.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 3.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coal: consumption: 9,000 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 7,000 metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 1 million metric tons (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 58,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 100,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 240.9 million barrels (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural gas: production: 12.302 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 4.025 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) exports: 7.816 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 302.99 billion cubic meters (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Energy consumption per capita: 29.34 million Btu/person (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 369,000 (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 12.2 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 98 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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 (2019); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet country code: .bo; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 70% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1.33 million (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transportation5 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: CP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Airports: 201 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Heliports: 3 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Railways: total: 3,960 km (2019) narrow gauge: 3,960 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Merchant marine: total: 50 (2023) by type: general cargo 30, oil tanker 2, other 18; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Military and Security6 fields

Military and security forces: Bolivian Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas de Bolivia or FAB): Bolivian Army (Ejercito de Boliviano), Bolivian Navy (Armada Boliviana), Bolivian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Boliviana) Ministry of Government: National Police (Policía Nacional de Bolivia, PNB) (2025) note: the PNB is part of the reserves for the Armed Forces; the police and military share responsibility for border enforcement; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military expenditures: 1.2% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.4% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.4% of GDP (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 30-35,000 active-duty Armed Forces (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the military is equipped with a mix of mostly older Brazilian, Chinese, European, and US armaments (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military service age and obligation: voluntary service for men and women 18-22 years of age; selective 12-month compulsory service for men, 18-22 (24 months of search and rescue service can be substituted for military service) (2025) note: as of 2024, women comprised about 11% of the Bolivian military's personnel; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military - note: the Bolivian Armed Forces (FAB) are responsible for territorial defense but also have some internal security duties, particularly counternarcotics and border security; the FAB shares responsibility for border enforcement with the National Police (PNB), and it may be called out to assist the PNB with maintaining public order in critical situations land-locked Bolivia has a naval force for patrolling some 5,000 miles of navigable rivers to combat narcotics trafficking and smuggling, provide disaster relief, and deliver supplies to remote rural areas, as well as for maintaining a presence on Lake Titicaca; the Navy also exists in part to cultivate a maritime tradition and as a reminder of Bolivia’s defeat at the hands of Chile in the War of the Pacific (1879-1883), and its desire to regain access to the Pacific Ocean; every year on 23 March, the Navy participates in parades and government ceremonies commemorating the Día Del Mar (Day of the Sea) holiday that remembers the loss (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Space3 fields

Space agency/agencies: Bolivian Space Agency (la Agencia Boliviana Espacial, ABE; established 2010 as a national public company under Ministry of Public Works, Services and Housing) (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Space program overview: has a small space program focused on acquiring and operating satellites; operates a telecommunications satellite and ground stations; has cooperated with China and India and member states of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Key space-program milestones: 2013 - first communications satellite (Túpac Katari, TKSAT-1) built and launched by China 2016 - began independently operating the TKSAT-1 satellite 2021 - signed protocols for establishment of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Terrorism1 fields

Terrorist group(s): Tren de Aragua (TdA) note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transnational Issues3 fields

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees: 1,163 (2024 est.) IDPs: 12,070 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Trafficking in persons: tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Bolivia did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period and was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/bolivia/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Illicit drugs: USG identification: major illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit country major precursor-chemical producer (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

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Bolivia at a glance

Bolivia through time

Admitted to the United Nations

Changes since the final CIA profile

People, economy, and access

Maintained profile