Bolivia profile

Demography and Health

Bolivia’s population was about 12.41 million in 2024, indicating a sizable domestic market with notable regional diversity in size and development. The country’s birth rate stands at 21.2 per 1,000 people (2023) while the death rate is 7.17 per 1,000, and life expectancy at birth is 68.6 years (2023). The under-5 mortality rate is 23.1 per 1,000 live births, underscoring significant child-health challenges relative to many peers. Unemployment sits at 3.02% (2023), a figure that, taken alone, may conceal informal employment and job quality issues rather than broad labor slack. Poverty remains a substantial constraint, with 37.7% of people living under national poverty lines in 2022, and 23% of the population experiencing undernourishment (2022), signaling persistent vulnerabilities that affect health outcomes and resilience to shocks. Health infrastructure shows 1.35 hospital beds per 1,000 people (2021) and 1.27 physicians per 1,000 people (2021). Domestic health expenditure per capita is 580 international dollars (PPP, 2022), and current health expenditure accounts for 8.43% of GDP (2022), suggesting a moderate but improving commitment to health services. Taken together, these indicators describe a young but economically uneven society where improving nutrition, maternal and child health, and access to care will be key pillars of development.

Economy

Bolivia’s GDP per capita is 4,001 current US$ in 2024, with a GDP per capita at PPP of 11,190 international dollars, placing the country in the lower‑middle-income tier with substantial room for growth and income convergence. The exports of goods and services amount to 25.5% of GDP (2023), while imports account for 30.9% of GDP (2023), indicating a trade profile that is open to global markets but not fully balanced, with a reliance on imported goods and inputs. High-technology exports are modest, totaling about 27.3 million US$ in 2023, signaling limited mature tech‑driven manufacturing yet some participation in global tech value chains. Foreign direct investment net inflows are 0.532% of GDP (2023), reflecting modest investment activity that could be amplified by improvements in governance, policy certainty, and project pipelines. The current account balance stands at −2.55% of GDP (2023), consistent with a growing economy that imports capital goods and consumer goods while exporting commodities. Inflation sits at 5.1% in 2024, indicating price stability on a reasonable trajectory for macroeconomic planning. Military expenditure was 644 million US$ in 2023, representing a relatively small share of GDP and suggesting defense spending is not a primary driver of macroeconomic policy. Overall, Bolivia’s economy shows resilience and potential for diversification, though poverty and external reliance on imports, alongside governance and infrastructure constraints, remain key policy considerations.

Trade and Investment

Bolivia’s external orientation features a trade‑heavy but not highly integrated economy. Exports of goods and services total 25.5% of GDP (2023), with imports representing 30.9% of GDP (2023), signaling a tradable sector that participates in global markets but faces gaps in balancing inflows and outflows. The country records high‑technology exports valued at about 27.3 million US$ (2023) and resident patent applications totaling 5 (2021), indicating early-stage capabilities in advanced sectors and a nascent innovation ecosystem. Foreign direct investment net inflows amount to 0.532% of GDP (2023), suggesting modest investment activity that could expand with improvements in policy reliability and the business environment. Bolivia’s logistics performance index for quality of trade and transport infrastructure is 2.4 on a 1–5 scale (2022), implying moderate logistics capacity with room to upgrade transport networks and customs efficiency to reduce costs and improve competitiveness. Collectively, the data portray a trading system with growth potential, where targeted improvements in infrastructure, regulatory quality, and the ease of doing business could attract greater investment, boost high‑tech exports, and expand productive capacity.

Governance and Institutions

Bolivia shows meaningful governance challenges. Political stability and absence of violence/terrorism is recorded at −0.313 in 2023, and regulatory quality is −1.18 with a rule of law at −1.22, reflecting fragility in policy credibility, legal enforcement, and the broader institutional framework. Control of corruption is −0.838 and government effectiveness is −0.639, signaling persistent concerns about institutional capacity and public sector performance. These indicators point to an environment where policy continuity, contract enforcement, and anti‑corruption efforts require durable reforms to attract investment and improve service delivery. While military expenditure is relatively modest (about 644 million US$ in 2023), governance quality remains a central constraint on sustainable development, macro stability, and social outcomes. Addressing governance weaknesses—through stronger rule of law, transparency, and predictable regulation—could catalyze private investment, improve public services, and foster trust in institutions while supporting long‑term growth and resilience.

Infrastructure and Technology

Bolivia’s infrastructure and technology profile shows both reach and gaps. Internet usage stands at 70.2% of the population in 2023, indicating broad digital access but potential disparities across rural areas. The logistics performance index—quality of trade and transport-related infrastructure—is 2.4 on a 1–5 scale (2022), signaling moderate logistics capability with clear opportunities to enhance port, road, rail, and customs efficiency to lower trade costs. High‑technology exports are modest (about 27.3 million US$ in 2023), while resident patent applications were 5 in 2021, suggesting early-stage sophistication in science and technology activities. Health capacity remains lean with 1.27 physicians per 1,000 people and 1.35 hospital beds per 1,000 (both 2021). Domestic health expenditure per capita in PPP terms is 580 international dollars (2022). These indicators depict a country with growing digital connectivity and some advanced export potential, yet facing structural gaps in research, technology diffusion, and essential infrastructure that constrain productivity and inclusion. Targeted investments in transport logistics, broadband, and science‑policy incentives could accelerate technology adoption and private sector innovation.

Environment and Sustainability

Bolivia’s environmental and sustainability profile features a mix of energy transition, emissions, and resource pressures. Renewable energy consumption accounts for 12.8% of total final energy consumption (2021), signaling a modest share of renewables in the energy mix and ample room for expansion of wind, solar, and hydro resources. Total greenhouse gas emissions per capita, excluding LULUCF, are 4.51 t CO2e (2023), indicating a moderate per‑person carbon footprint with potential for further reductions through energy efficiency and cleaner transport. The indicator of water stress shows freshwater withdrawal at 1.24 times the available freshwater resources (2021), highlighting pressures on water resources in certain basins and sectors, with climate variability likely intensifying these challenges. The prevalence of undernourishment remains at 23% (2022) and poverty remains high (37.7%), underscoring the need for climate‑resilient policies that link environmental action with social protection, food security, and inclusive growth. In summary, Bolivia faces sustainability challenges tied to energy transition, water resource management, and climate resilience, which demand integrated policy approaches that align environmental stewardship with social and economic development goals.