Exploring Bolivia's Current Population: Understanding The Numbers

Bolivia, officially known as the Plurinational State of Bolivia, is a landlocked country in South America with a population of over 12 million people. As of Wednesday, October 2, 2024, the current population of Bolivia is estimated to be 12,455,967. The country is known for its diverse population, including Amerindians, Mestizos, Europeans, Asians, Africans, Arabs, Jews, and other ethnic groups. With a median age of around 24 years, Bolivia has a young population, and the majority of its people live in urban areas, with 70% concentrated in La Paz, Santa Cruz, and Cochabamba.

Population growth and projections

Bolivia's population has been increasing since 1900, with a current population of around 12.5 million people. Bolivia's population growth rate is fairly steady and maintainable at around 1.5%. The population has tripled in the last 50 years, growing from 8.2 million in 2001 to just over 11 million. The rate of population growth has been steadily slowing since 1980, and that trend is projected to continue in the years to come.

The population growth rate in 2010 was 1.71%, falling to 1.39% in 2024. This is due to a slight decline in the birth rate each year, as well as a declining fertility rate. The fertility rate is currently 2.75 births per woman, above the population replacement rate of 2.1 births. The birth rate is still above the death rate, but the population growth rate is slowing significantly as thousands leave the country each year.

The population of Bolivia is projected to increase by 192,673 people in 2024, reaching 12,527,687 by the beginning of 2025. The natural increase is expected to be positive, with 207,475 more births than deaths. However, the population will decline by 14,802 due to external migration.

The population of Bolivia is expected to continue growing and will peak at 17.67 million in 2083. After this, the population will slowly decline.

Population density

Bolivia's population density is around 11 people per square kilometre (29 people per square mile) as of August 2024. This is a slight increase from 2023, when the population density was 11.28 people per square kilometre. The population density figure is calculated by dividing the total population of Bolivia by the total area of the country.

The total area of Bolivia is 1,098,580 square kilometres (424,164 square miles) according to the United Nations Statistics Division. However, another source gives the total area as 1,083,300 square kilometres (418,264 square miles).

The population of Bolivia has been steadily increasing since the late 1800s and is expected to continue to do so. In 2012, Bolivia's population reached 10 million for the first time in history. As of 2024, the population is estimated to be over 12 million people, with an overall life expectancy at birth of around 67-68 years. The population is dominated by those aged 15-64, with a median age of around 23-25 years.

Bolivia is inhabited mostly by Mestizo, Quechua, and Aymara peoples, with minorities including 37 indigenous groups. Spanish is the most commonly spoken language, at 60.7%, followed by Quechua (21.2%), Aymara (14.6%), and Guaraní (0.6%). The official languages of Bolivia are Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, Guaraní, and 34 other native languages.

Urbanisation

Bolivia's population is estimated to be 12.4 million people in 2024, with 70.3% of the population living in urban areas. This proportion has remained stable since 2021, with a peak of 70.83% in 2022. The country's overall population has been steadily increasing since the late 1800s, with a positive natural growth rate since the 1950s.

Bolivia has an average annual inter-urban growth rate of 5.4%, which is higher than the overall population growth rate of 2.2%. As of 2022, 67.5% of the population lives in cities, and this figure is estimated to reach 80% by 2030. The urban population's annual growth rate is 1.99%.

The urbanisation rate in Bolivia is 67% on average. This rate of urbanisation has important implications for the country's development and planning. The National Institute of Statistics of Bolivia (INE) has conducted censuses to understand the demographic characteristics of the population, with the most recent one taking place in 2012. The 2012 census recorded a total of 3,158,691 households in Bolivia, an increase of 887,960 from the previous census in 2001.

The urban population in Bolivia is predominantly made up of Mestizo, Quechua, and Aymara people, with minorities including 37 indigenous groups. The official languages of Bolivia reflect this diversity, with Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, Guarani, and 34 other native languages recognised. Spanish is the most commonly spoken language, with 60.7% of the population speaking it. The median age of the urban population is 23.1 years, and the gender ratio is 0.99 males per female.

The urban areas in Bolivia offer a range of economic opportunities, with 48% of the workforce employed in services, 32% in industrial work, and 32% in agriculture. However, urbanisation also presents challenges, such as the need for sustainable development and the reduction of inequalities. The Cities Policy aims to address these challenges and guide Bolivia's urban development towards a more prosperous and inclusive future.

Life expectancy

The current population of Bolivia is estimated to be between 12,413,315 and 12,567,336 people as of 2024. Bolivia's population has been steadily rising since the late 1800s and is expected to continue doing so.

Bolivia has a life expectancy at birth of around 68.2 years, according to the 2013 World Factbook. However, other sources give a higher estimate of 72.1 years as of 2022. This figure is an average of male and female life expectancy, which differ significantly. As of 2022, men in Bolivia could expect to live 62.26 years on average, while women could expect to live 67.91 years. This is a significant increase for both genders compared to the previous year. The leading causes of death in Bolivia include coronary heart disease, influenza and pneumonia, road traffic accidents, and Alzheimer's and dementia.

Bolivia's life expectancy has been steadily increasing over the years, with each year seeing a slight increase from the last. For example, in 2021, the life expectancy was 71.84 years, and in 2020, it was 71.49 years. The country's healthcare expenditure comprised only 4.9% of its GDP, and it ranked 161st in life expectancy globally in 2013.

The median age of the population in Bolivia is approximately 24.9 years, with a relatively young population dominated by the 15-64 age segment. The country has a positive natural growth rate, with a higher birth rate than the death rate, and a low infant mortality rate. The population is also predominantly urban, with 70.3% of people living in urban areas as of 2024.

Religion

Bolivia is a secular nation and its constitution guarantees freedom of religion. The predominant religion in Bolivia is Christianity, with Roman Catholicism being the largest denomination. Before Spanish missionaries arrived, the people in the territory of modern-day Bolivia practised a variety of faiths.

History of Religion in Bolivia

In the centuries before the Spanish conquest, the first inhabitants of Bolivia were nomadic hunter-gatherers who crossed the Bering Strait. By 12,000 BC, these early settlers had spread across the South American continent. From 1400 BC, the Chavin culture began to spread its influence from coastal Peru throughout the Andes, and by 300 BC, the Tiahuanco culture of the Bolivian Altiplano had risen to dominance. During the following millennium, the Tiahuanaco culture advanced in art, agriculture and architecture, eventually equalling ancient Egypt. The Tiahuanaco civilisation then gave way to the Incas of Peru.

The Spanish conquest of Bolivia began in 1531, and by 1533, the Inca emperor, Atahualpa, had been captured, ransomed and executed. The Spanish brought Catholicism to Bolivia, and priests accompanied the first military expeditions. The organisation, personnel and role of the church in society were all defined early in the colonial era. Pope Julius III created the La Plata bishopric in 1552, followed by those of La Paz and Santa Cruz in the early 17th century. A number of religious orders, including Franciscans, Mercedarians, Dominicans and Jesuits, joined diocesan priests in the colonial ministry. The clergy were largely of European origin.

The patronato real (an agreement between the Catholic Church and the Spanish crown) gave the Spanish throne and colonial authorities significant powers in church affairs. The relationship between church and state was intimate and mutually influential. In a society where separation from the church was unthinkable, the church had great moral influence. The colonial church was also an extremely wealthy institution, owning extensive tracts of land and acting as quasi-official moneylenders to the elite. By the end of the colonial era, the church was the dominant financial power in Bolivia.

In the decades following the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), the Catholic Church has tried to play a more active role in the country's social life. In 1961, the government relinquished its right to mediate in church affairs, and in 1967, the constitution granted official status to the Roman Catholic Church while also guaranteeing the public exercise of all other religions.

A 2018 survey for Latinobarometro found that 36% of Catholics in Bolivia are active, while 59% of Protestants (including Pentecostals, Non-Catholic Charismatics, Lutherans and Methodists) are active.

The constitution of Bolivia establishes the freedom of religion and a separation between church and state. The constitution also prohibits discrimination along religious lines. Religious and spiritual belief organisations are required to register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and acquire a national legal personality. All religions and spiritual beliefs are treated equally under the law, and the same law establishes a principle of mutual respect "within the framework of interculturality".

Public, confessional and private schools have the option to include religious studies in their curricula. All schools are required to avoid dogmatic imposition and teach ethics courses that emphasise religious tolerance and interreligious dialogue.

Some smaller churches in the evangelical Christian community have refused to register with the government, citing concerns for their privacy. While these groups have been unable to open bank accounts or hold property, the state has not otherwise interfered with their religious practice.

Indigenous Religious Beliefs

Bolivia has the largest indigenous population in the Americas, with over 50% of its population maintaining traditional lifestyles and beliefs. Indigenous Bolivians have blended Catholicism with their traditional religious beliefs. For example, the figure of Pacha Mama (Mother Earth) has been unified with the Virgin Mary in religious artwork since the time of the conquest.

In rural areas, hostility by indigenous communities against Christian missionaries has been reported, and in some cases, these incidents have included indigenous leaders hitting pastors.

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