Exploring The Ethnic Diversity Of Bolivia's Population

Bolivia is a multiethnic and multilingual society, with a population of around 11 million people. The country is home to a diverse range of ethnic, religious, and national groups, including indigenous peoples, Old World immigrants, and their descendants. According to various sources and estimates, the percentage of the Bolivian population that is indigenous varies between 20% and 70%. The majority of the indigenous population is made up of Andean groups such as the Quechua and Aymara, who primarily inhabit the western departments of Bolivia, and lowland groups such as the Chiquitano, Guaraní, and Moxeño, who inhabit the eastern regions of the country.

Indigenous peoples make up 41% of the population over 15 years old

The 2012 census recorded a significant drop in the proportion of the population who identified as indigenous – down from 66.4% of those aged 15 or over in the 2001 census. This decrease has been attributed in part to factors such as urbanisation, as indigenous identity in Bolivia is strongly tied to conceptions of the rural ‘campesino’ (peasant).

The majority of indigenous peoples in Bolivia live in the Andes and are Quechua- or Aymara-speaking (49.5% and 40.6% respectively). They self-identify as one of 16 nationalities. In the lowlands, the Chiquitano, Guaraní, Moxeño, Ese Eja and Ayoreo peoples are in the majority and, together with the remaining 2.4%, make up 34 recognised indigenous peoples.

Indigenous peoples in Bolivia, also called "originarios" ("native" or "original") and less frequently, Amerindians, can be divided into two categories of ethnic groups: the Andeans, who are located in the Andean Altiplano and the valley region; and the lowland groups, who inhabit the warm regions of central and eastern Bolivia, including the valleys of Cochabamba Department, the Amazon Basin areas of northern La Paz Department, and the lowland departments of Beni, Pando, Santa Cruz, and Tarija (including the Gran Chaco region in the southeast of the country).

The National Institute of Statistics’ (INE) 2017 projections indicate that the percentage of the population of indigenous origin is likely to have increased to 48%.

36 recognised ethnic groups

Bolivia is a multi-ethnic country with 36 recognised indigenous groups. The majority of the population identify as mestizo, meaning they have mixed European and indigenous ancestry. The indigenous peoples of Bolivia are those with predominantly or totally Amerindian ancestry. They constitute 20-60% of Bolivia's population, depending on the census and the options available to respondents.

The 36 recognised indigenous groups include:

• Aymara, the largest community in the western Andes
• Quechua, the second-largest community in the western Andes
• Chiquitano, one of the most numerous communities in the lowlands
• Guaraní, one of the most numerous communities in the lowlands
• Moxeño, one of the most numerous communities in the lowlands
• Afro-Bolivians, a minority group constituting only 1% of the population
• Mennonites, a reclusive and insular sect of Christians
• Japanese, in colonies in the Santa Cruz region
• Chinese, Koreans, Lebanese, Jews and others, constituting 4% of the population

The indigenous peoples of Bolivia face challenges due to seismic work in search of new oil and gas reserves, as well as hydroelectric projects. Despite the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and a new Constitution, which gave Bolivia the status of a plurinational state, the country's indigenous peoples continue to face marginalisation and a lack of representation.

Mestizos make up 68% of the population

Bolivia is a multiethnic and multilingual society, with a population made up of indigenous people, Old World immigrants, and their descendants. The country is inhabited mostly by Mestizo, Quechua, and Aymara, with minorities including 37 indigenous groups.

Mestizos, people of mixed European and indigenous ancestry, make up 68% of the Bolivian population. They are distributed throughout the entire country and most people who identify as Mestizo also identify with one or more indigenous cultures. Genetic research indicates that the ancestry of Bolivian Mestizos is predominantly indigenous.

The 2012 National Census reported that 41% of the Bolivian population over the age of 15 are of indigenous origin. However, the National Institute of Statistics' (INE) 2017 projections indicate that this percentage is likely to have increased to 48%. The 2012 census did not include the cultural self-identification "Mestizo" as a response option, which may have influenced the results.

The majority of the indigenous population in Bolivia live in the Andes and are Quechua-speaking peoples (49.5%) and Aymara (40.6%), who self-identify as 16 nations. In the lowlands, the Chiquitano (3.6%), Guaraní (2.5%), and Moxeño (1.4%) peoples are in the majority and, together with the remaining 2.4%, make up 34 recognized indigenous peoples.

The indigenous population in Bolivia has a long history, with indigenous peoples inhabiting territories spanning what is now Bolivia for thousands of years before the arrival of Spanish forces in the early 16th century. Despite this, the indigenous population has historically been marginalized and exploited for labor in mines and plantations. In recent decades, there has been a surge in political and social mobilization among indigenous communities, leading to increased political representation and the election of Evo Morales, Bolivia's first indigenous president, in 2005.

15% of the population is under 15 years old

The population of Bolivia is 11 million as of 2024, with a median age of 23.1. The country has a positive natural growth rate, which has been a continuing trend since the 1950s. In 2012, Bolivia's birth rate continued to be higher than the death rate.

Bolivia is inhabited mostly by Mestizo, Quechua, and Aymara people, with 36 recognized indigenous groups. The 2012 National Census found that 41% of the population over the age of 15 are of indigenous origin, though the National Institute of Statistics' (INE) 2017 projections indicate that this percentage is likely closer to 48%. This increase is likely due to the fact that the 2012 census did not include "mestizo" as a response option, leading to a higher proportion of respondents identifying with one of the indigenous groups.

The median age of the population is 23.1, and 15% of the population is under 15 years old. This means that a significant proportion of the country's population is made up of young people, who will shape the future of Bolivia. This youthful demographic can be a strength for the country, as young people bring energy, innovation, and new ideas. However, it also presents challenges, as young people may lack experience and access to resources, and their unique needs must be addressed through targeted policies and programs.

The INE projections suggest that the percentage of the population that is under 15 years old may decrease slightly in the coming years, as the country's birth rate stabilizes and the overall population ages. However, Bolivia will still have a relatively young population compared to other countries in the region.

The country's indigenous communities have seen improvements in their situation under the leadership of Evo Morales, the country's first indigenous president, who was elected in 2005. Morales has worked to address the deep-seated marginalization of the indigenous population, and his efforts have led to increased political participation and empowerment for indigenous people, especially women. However, challenges remain, particularly regarding land rights and the negative impact of extractive industries on indigenous territories.

The population is 11 million

Bolivia's population reached 11 million for the first time in its history in 2024. The population density is 11.36 inhabitants per square kilometre, and the overall life expectancy is 68.2 years. The population has been steadily rising since the late 1800s, with a positive natural growth rate since the 1950s. In 2012, Bolivia's birth rate was higher than the death rate.

The population of Bolivia is made up of various ethnic, religious, and national origins. The majority of the population is indigenous, with 36 recognised ethnic groups. The largest groups are the Quechua and Aymara, who make up 49.5% and 40.6% of the indigenous population, respectively. Other indigenous groups include the Chiquitano, Guaraní, and Moxeño.

In addition to the indigenous population, Bolivians trace their ancestry to the Old World, primarily Europe and Africa. Modern Bolivian society is considered a "melting pot" due to the mutual influence and interaction of cultures. The country is also home to small communities of Japanese, Europeans (including Germans, French, Italians, and Portuguese), and other citizens from the Americas.

The official languages of Bolivia are Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, and Guaraní, with 33 other native languages also recognised. Spanish is the most commonly spoken language, with 60.7% of the population speaking it. The main religions are Christianity, with the majority being Roman Catholic (76.8%-81.8%), and indigenous religions. The literacy rate in Bolivia is 91.2%-94.98%.

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