Population Policies In Bolivia: What Are The Current Strategies?

Bolivia, officially the Plurinational State of Bolivia, is a landlocked country in central South America. The country's population is estimated at 12 million, with a population density of 11 people per square kilometre. Bolivia's population is multiethnic, including Amerindians, Mestizos, Europeans, Asians, Africans, and other mixtures. The country has a young population, with a median age of 24.9 years. Spanish is the official and predominant language, although 36 indigenous languages also have official status. The total fertility rate is 2.1, and the country's population has been steadily increasing since the late 1800s. Bolivia's most recent census was conducted in 2012, and the country's population is expected to continue growing.

Population growth and demographics

Bolivia's population has been steadily increasing since the late 1800s, reaching 10 million for the first time in 2012. As of 2024, the population is estimated to be 12.4 million, with a median age of 24.9 years and a population density of 11 people per square kilometre. The population is multiethnic, including Amerindians, Mestizos, Europeans, Asians, Africans, and other mixtures. Spanish is the official and predominant language, although 36 indigenous languages also have official status.

Bolivia's population growth rate is estimated to be 1.76%, with a total fertility rate of 2.2 children per woman. The country has a relatively young population, with 59% of people between the ages of 15 and 59, and almost 60% under the age of 25. The sex ratio is relatively balanced, with 1.01 males per female.

The majority of the population is urban (70.3%), and the largest cities include Santa Cruz de la Sierra, El Alto, and Cochabamba. The population is concentrated in the departments of La Paz, Santa Cruz, and Cochabamba, with a dense settlement pattern also found in and around the city of Santa Cruz.

Bolivia has a high life expectancy of 72.5 years, and a low infant mortality rate of 22.3 deaths per 1,000 live births. However, the country faces challenges such as income inequality and lack of access to education and health services, particularly in rural areas.

In terms of religion, the majority of Bolivians are Christian, with Roman Catholicism being the largest denomination. The literacy rate in Bolivia is high, at 92.5%.

Urbanisation and population density

Bolivia's population has been increasing since 1900, with the total population reaching 10 million for the first time in 2012. The population density is 9.13 inhabitants per square kilometre, with a total land area of 1,083,300 square kilometres. The country's population is multiethnic, including Amerindians, Mestizos, Europeans, Asians, Africans, and some other mixtures.

In 2024, the population of Bolivia was 12,413,315, with 70.3% living in urban areas. The country's urbanisation rate is 67%, and the median age of the population is 24.9 years. The population is dominated by the 15-64 age segment, and the gender ratio is 0.99 males per female.

The largest city and principal industrial centre is Santa Cruz de la Sierra, located on the Llanos Orientales (eastern tropical lowlands). Other major cities include San Ignacio de Velasco, Ascencion de Guarayos, La Paz, Sucre, Cochabamba, and Tarija.

Bolivia's population is concentrated in the western and central regions, with the departments of La Paz, Santa Cruz, and Cochabamba holding the largest percentage of the population. The Andean Altiplano region, which includes the departments of La Paz and Oruro, has a high population density due to its historical and cultural significance. The valley region, including the departments of Cochabamba and Chuquisaca, also has a significant population. The Llanos region in the northeast, which includes the departments of Santa Cruz and Beni, covers 59% of the territory but has a lower population density due to its flat terrain and extensive rainforests.

The country's urbanisation and population density are influenced by various factors, including geography, economic opportunities, and cultural factors. The western and central regions, particularly the Andean Altiplano and valley regions, have traditionally been more densely populated due to their agricultural and cultural significance. The eastern lowlands, while covering a larger area, have a lower population density due to their more recent development and the presence of protected areas, such as national parks and indigenous territories.

The process of urbanisation in Bolivia has been accompanied by economic and social changes. The country's economic growth and industrialisation have led to the expansion of urban areas and the development of new cities. However, urbanisation has also contributed to social and economic inequalities, with a significant rural-urban divide in terms of access to education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

Healthcare and life expectancy

Healthcare in Bolivia is considered slightly below average when compared to the rest of the world. The country spends 8.2% of its GDP on health measures, which equates to $272.96 per inhabitant. This is significantly lower than the international average of 10.4% of GDP, or $1,265.62 per inhabitant. Bolivia has a low number of hospital beds and doctors in comparison to other countries, with 1.3 beds and 1.01 doctors per 1,000 inhabitants, respectively. The global averages are 2.9 beds and 1.7 doctors per 1,000 inhabitants.

The overall life expectancy in Bolivia is 68.2 years, according to the World Factbook. However, other sources give a figure of 65.4 years. This is lower than the worldwide average life expectancy of 71.5 years. When broken down by gender, life expectancy in Bolivia is 62.3 years for men and 67.9 years for women.

The leading causes of death in Bolivia include diseases of the circulatory system, external causes of morbidity and mortality, conditions originating in prenatal development, gastrointestinal disease, respiratory disease, infectious and parasitic diseases, and endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases.

Bolivia has a high level of biodiversity and varying altitudes, which contribute to a diverse range of ecosystems and climates. The country's geography includes the Andean region, the Sub-Andean region, and the Llanos region. Each of these regions has unique climatic characteristics, ranging from humid tropical climates in the Llanos region to desert-polar climates in the Andean region.

The government of Bolivia has implemented several social measures using the revenues generated by the partial nationalization of hydrocarbons. These measures include the Renta Dignidad programme for people over 60, the Juana Azurduy voucher for pregnant women, the Juancito Pinto voucher for parents with school-age children, and the Single Health System, which provides free medical care for all Bolivians.

Education and literacy

Education in Bolivia is divided between rural and urban areas, with rural illiteracy levels remaining high while urban areas become more literate. Bolivia has been dedicating 23% of its annual budget to educational expenditures, which is a higher percentage than most other South American countries. However, the Human Rights Measurement Initiative (HRMI) found that Bolivia is only fulfilling 83.2% of what it should be for the right to education based on its income level.

Historically, education in Bolivia has been hindered by chronic political instability. During the colonial era, education was limited to the sons of elite families, with little effort made to educate the indigenous population beyond what was necessary for conversion. Independence brought decrees for universal, compulsory primary education and a public school system, but these did not amount to much. By 1900, schools primarily served urban elites, and the adult literacy rate was only 17%.

In the early 1900s, a teaching mission from Belgium arrived and, over thirty years, established the foundation for rural primary education. In 1931, Elizardo Perez founded a large nuclear school near Lake Titicaca, with smaller satellite schools in nearby settlements. This model became the prototype for rural education in the Andes. However, real expansion of educational opportunities remained limited. A 1947 law mandating that every literate Bolivian teach at least one other person to read and write had little impact, and by the eve of the 1952 Revolution, less than one-third of adults were literate.

In 1956, legislation laid the foundation for the public education system. It established a six-year primary cycle, followed by four years of intermediate schooling, and two years of secondary school ending with the baccalaureate degree. Subsequent laws in 1969 and 1973 revised the curricula and changed the structure to a five-year primary cycle, theoretically compulsory for children aged seven to fourteen, followed by three years of intermediate school and four years of secondary education.

Primary education for children aged six to thirteen is currently free and compulsory, although school attendance can be challenging to enforce in certain areas. Secondary education, lasting up to four years, is not compulsory. At the end of the 20th century, about four-fifths of primary-age children attended school, but the attendance rate for secondary-age children was much lower, at around one-fourth.

Adult literacy rates have climbed dramatically since the 1950s, when most Bolivian Indians were illiterate, to about four-fifths of the adult population by the end of the century. As of 2015, the adult literacy rate was 92.46%, with the highest value in the past 39 years being 94.46% in 2012. In 2020, the adult literacy rate remained at around 93.85%, showing no significant changes from the previous year.

Economic growth and poverty

Bolivia is the poorest country in South America and has the largest ratio of indigenous people, who make up 62% of the population. Most of these indigenous groups suffer from poverty, with over 74% being poor. The income distribution in Bolivia is one of the most uneven in the world, ranking second in unequal income distribution. The country is rich in minerals and natural resources, but the economic system is dominated by the elite Spanish ancestry. Most Bolivians are low-income farmers and traders.

Bolivia's economic growth and poverty levels have been influenced by various factors, including political instability, racial tensions, violent protests, and the global recession. The period from 2003 to 2005 was marked by political instability and racial tensions, with protests against plans to export the country's natural gas reserves. Despite these challenges, Bolivia recorded the highest growth rate in South America in 2009. The global recession slowed growth, but increases in world commodity prices during 2010-2011 resulted in large trade surpluses. However, a lack of foreign investment in key sectors like mining and higher food prices pose challenges for the economy.

The country's economic growth has been driven mainly by its natural resources, with mining being a major sector. Bolivia has the world's largest lithium reserves and is a significant producer of silver, tin, and zinc. The export of natural gas also brings in significant revenue. Agriculture is less relevant to the country's GDP compared to the rest of Latin America, but Bolivia is a major producer of sugarcane and soybeans.

The income gap and economic inequality in Bolivia have contributed to social unrest and tension within the country. The high unemployment rate, currently at 8%, exacerbates poverty, particularly in rural areas. The lack of access to education, healthcare, and other basic services in these regions further perpetuates the cycle of poverty. Recent organizations, such as World Vision, have established local centers to address these issues and improve the well-being of children and women in rural areas.

Bolivia's economic policies and international loans have also impacted its growth and poverty levels. In 2020, the interim government took out a loan of over $327 million from the International Monetary Fund to address the country's needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the government has implemented economic reforms, such as privatization and decentralization, to stimulate growth and reduce poverty.

In summary, Bolivia's economic growth and poverty levels are influenced by various factors, including its natural resources, income distribution, political instability, and social unrest. The country has made some progress in reducing poverty, but it continues to face challenges in addressing inequality and improving the well-being of its citizens, especially in rural and indigenous communities.

Frequently asked questions