Bolivian Youth Migrants: Challenges And Resilience

Bolivia has historically been a country of emigration, with a significant proportion of its population living abroad, primarily in Argentina, Spain, and the United States. While the country has promoted international immigration to colonize sparsely populated lands, mainly in eastern Bolivia, it has not attracted a substantial number of immigrants. The total immigrant population in Bolivia is estimated at around 100,000 people, or approximately 1% of the total population. Neighboring countries, such as Argentina, Brazil, and Peru, are the primary sources of migration to Bolivia, with internal migration also playing a significant role in the country's population dynamics.

Bolivian emigrants are largely headed to Argentina, Spain, and the US

Bolivia has been a source of emigrants for many years, with people leaving for a variety of reasons, including economic and political instability. The primary destinations for these emigrants are Argentina, Spain, and the US.

Argentina

Migration from Bolivia to Argentina has a long history, dating back to the colonial era. While Argentines tend to view this as a recent phenomenon, data shows that it has been occurring for over a hundred years, with 2-3% of Argentina's population consisting of people from border countries. Bolivia is one of these countries, with others including Chile, Peru, and Paraguay.

Bolivians in Argentina often work in niches of the labour market that Argentines are unwilling to occupy, such as construction, textiles, domestic work, and street-related jobs. They typically earn very low wages, ranging from $5 to $10 for a 10-16 hour workday.

Bolivians in Argentina have faced intense xenophobia and prejudice, often being scapegoated for the country's social, economic, and security problems. They are subjected to derogatory terms like "bolitas" and blamed for low wages and a lack of job opportunities for Argentines. Despite this, Bolivian immigrants have created organisations and coordinated events that strengthen social ties and stimulate collective action, such as markets, fairs, and radio stations that circulate news of work opportunities.

Spain

Spain, along with Italy, is a popular destination for Argentines due to favourable citizenship policies. Argentines who can prove Spanish or Italian ancestry can obtain citizenship in these countries. Additionally, the European Union's policy of granting free movement to its citizens makes Spain an attractive destination for Argentines seeking better economic and social conditions.

The United States

The United States has also experienced an increase in immigration from Argentina, with over 60% of Argentine immigrants settling in California, Florida, and New York. Most permanent immigrants enter under family reunification provisions, while temporary immigrants enter as specialty workers, exchange visitors, or intracompany transferees.

Neighbouring countries are the main source of immigration to Bolivia

Bolivia has experienced less immigration than its South American neighbours, with small groups of Germans, Spaniards, Italians, Yugoslavians, and others living in the country. The Basques were a large source of Spanish and European immigration from the late 16th to early 20th centuries, arriving as shepherds and ranchers for Bolivia's livestock industry.

However, neighbouring countries have been the primary source of immigration to Bolivia. Argentines, Brazilians, and Peruvians have been the most numerous foreign groups, settling mainly in the departments of Santa Cruz, La Paz, and Cochabamba, which have experienced greater economic development.

During the 20th century, very small groups of Jews, Arabs, Mennonites, and Japanese arrived in the country, with the total number of immigrants never exceeding 1% of the population between the 1976 and 2001 population censuses.

Internal migration is also prominent, with people moving from rural to urban areas

Bolivia has historically been a country of emigration, with people leaving for neighbouring countries such as Argentina, Brazil, and Peru. However, this trend coexists with internal migration, where people move from rural to urban areas within Bolivia. This internal migration is prominent and has led to a process of deruralization, with thousands of people migrating from the countryside to cities in search of better job opportunities.

The internal migration in Bolivia is driven by the "March to the East" and similar episodes, which generate internal colonisation processes in the most depopulated areas of the country. This movement of people from rural to urban areas is a significant phenomenon, with Bolivia experiencing large historical flows of internal migration.

The internal migration in Bolivia is not limited to movement within the country. It also includes emigration to other countries, with an estimated 700,000 Bolivians living abroad, mainly in Argentina, Spain, and the United States. This external migration is influenced by factors such as economic development, the construction boom, and the financial crisis in destination countries.

While neighbouring countries are the main source of immigration into Bolivia, there have also been international migrants from other regions. For example, between 1938 and 1941, around 10,000-15,000 Jews arrived in Bolivia from Europe. After the 1952 revolution and agricultural reform, Mennonite and Japanese migrants settled in the country's eastern region.

The migration patterns in Bolivia are shaped by various factors, including the push and pull factors that influence people's decisions to move. For internal migration, the availability of better job opportunities in urban areas compared to rural areas is a significant factor. Additionally, structural factors such as low levels of training, low salaries, lack of jobs, and precarious employment conditions contribute to emigration from Bolivia.

Bolivia has a history of promoting international immigration to sparsely populated areas

Bolivia has a history of promoting international immigration to its sparsely populated areas. Historically a country of emigration, the Bolivian government has, at times, implemented policies to attract international migrants to settle in uninhabited regions. This was part of a process of colonisation, primarily in eastern Bolivia. While these attempts did not lead to a substantial influx of immigrants, they reflected a broader trend of international migration to Bolivia.

During the 20th century, small groups of Jews, Arabs, Mennonites, and Japanese settled in the country, with a total immigrant population of around 1% between the 1976 and 2001 censuses, never exceeding 100,000 people. The largest wave of international migration to Bolivia occurred between 1938 and 1941 when an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 Jews arrived, fleeing Europe. After the 1952 revolution and agricultural reform, Mennonite and Japanese migrants settled in the country's eastern region.

Bolivia's sparsely populated lands have also attracted internal migration. The "March to the East" is an example of internal colonisation processes, where Bolivians moved to the most depopulated areas of the country. Additionally, Bolivia is experiencing a process of deruralization, with thousands of people migrating from rural areas to cities in search of better job opportunities.

The country's migration patterns are influenced by its history and geographical context. Neighbouring countries like Argentina, Brazil, and Peru have been the primary sources of international migration to Bolivia, with migrants settling in economically developed areas like Santa Cruz, La Paz, and Cochabamba. This internal migration coexists with emigration, as some segments of the population, particularly those with certain socioeconomic characteristics, choose to leave the country.

Remittances from Bolivian migrants amount to 5% of the country's GNP

Remittances, or the money and goods sent by migrants to their families and friends in their country of origin, are a crucial aspect of the relationship between migration and development. While remittances are private funds, they often serve as a significant source of external finance for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In the case of Bolivia, remittances sent by migrants amount to approximately 5% of the country's GNP, highlighting the impact of these financial transfers on the country's economy.

The significance of remittance flows to Bolivia becomes evident when compared to other forms of external finance. According to the World Bank's Migration and Development Brief, remittances to LMICs surpassed the volume of Official Development Assistance (ODA) and exceeded Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows by a substantial amount. This underscores the role of remittances in contributing to economic development and filling financial gaps in recipient countries.

The volume of remittances sent by Bolivian migrants has experienced fluctuations. In 2010, the total amount stood at USD 937.2 million. However, in recent years, due to the international crisis, there has been a decrease in the volume of remittances sent. Despite this decline, the impact of remittances on Bolivia's economy remains notable, with the country relying on these financial inflows as a source of external finance.

The sources of remittances to Bolivia are diverse, with migrants sending money from various countries. Among the destinations, Argentina, Spain, and the United States are notable, with a significant number of Bolivian migrants residing in these countries. The presence of migrant social networks facilitates the flow of information and supports the successful integration of migrants, enabling them to find employment opportunities and navigate day-to-day life in their new countries of residence.

While remittances provide financial support to families left behind, it is important to consider the broader context of migration and its impact on the sending and receiving countries. Bolivia has historically been a country of emigration, and the structural factors contributing to this include low levels of training, low salaries, a lack of jobs, and precarious employment conditions. These factors incentivize Bolivians, particularly young workers, to seek opportunities in neighbouring countries, primarily in the textile industry.

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