CapitalLa Paz (administrative capital)
Population12,436,103
Area1,098,581 km²
GDP per capita$9,800
LanguagesSpanish, Quechua, Aymara, Guarani, other, unspecified
Currencybolivianos
Life Expectancy72.5 yr
Governmentpresidential republic
Introduction
Background
Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simón BOLÍVAR, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825. Much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of coups and countercoups, with the last coup occurring in 1980. Democratic civilian rule was established in 1982, but leaders have faced problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and illegal drug production.
In 2005, Bolivians elected Movement Toward Socialism leader Evo MORALES as president -- by the widest margin of any leader since 1982 -- after he ran on a promise to change the country's traditional political class and empower the poor and indigenous majority. In 2009 and 2014, MORALES easily won reelection, and his party maintained control of the legislative branch. In 2016, MORALES narrowly lost a referendum to approve a constitutional amendment that would have allowed him to compete in the 2019 presidential election. A subsequent Supreme Court ruling stating that term limits violate human rights provided the justification for MORALES to run despite the referendum, but rising violence, pressure from the military, and widespread allegations of electoral fraud ultimately forced him to flee the country. An interim government, led by President Jeanine AÑEZ Chávez, held new elections in 2020, and Luis Alberto ARCE Catacora was elected president.
Geography
Area
land
1,083,301 sq km
water
15,280 sq km
total
1,098,581 sq km
Climate
varies with elevation; from humid and tropical to cold and semiarid
Terrain
the rugged Andes Mountains featuring a highland plateau known as the Altiplano, along with hills and the lowland plains of the Amazon Basin
Land use
other
13.5% (2023 est.)
forest
50.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
35.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 5.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 30.5% (2023 est.)
Location
located in Central South America, to the southwest of Brazil
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Elevation
lowest point
Rio Paraguay 90 m
highest point
Nevado Sajama 6,542 m
mean elevation
1,192 m
Irrigated land
2,972 sq km (2017)
Major aquifers
Amazon Basin
Map references
South America
Land boundaries
total
7,252 km
border countries
Argentina 942 km; Brazil 3,403 km; Chile 942 km; Paraguay 753 km; Peru 1,212 km
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Natural hazards
flooding occurs in the northeast from March to April
volcanism: volcanic activity is present in the Andes Mountains along the Chilean border; notable historically active volcanoes in this area include Irruputuncu (5,163 m), which had its last eruption in 1995, and the Olca-Paruma volcanic complex (5,762 m to 5,167 m)
Geography - note
landlocked; shares Lago Titicaca, recognized as the world's highest navigable lake at an elevation of 3,805 m, with Peru
Natural resources
lithium, tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, hydropower
Area - comparative
approximately three times the area of Montana
Geographic coordinates
17 00 S, 65 00 W
Population distribution
the Altiplano, a high-altitude plain situated between two cordilleras of the Andes in the west, serves as the primary region for the majority of the population; a significant population density is also observed in and around Santa Cruz, located on the eastern flank of the Andes
Major lakes (area sq km)
salt water lake(s)
Lago Poopo - 1,340 sq km
fresh water lake(s)
Lago Titicaca (shared with Peru) - 8,030 sq km
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage
Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Paraná (2,582,704 sq km)
People & Society
Literacy
male
97.8% (2023 est.)
female
93.5% (2023 est.)
total population
95.6% (2023 est.)
Languages
Languages
Spanish (official) 68.1%, Quechua (official) 17.2%, Aymara (official) 10.5%, Guarani (official) 0.6%, other 1.5%, unspecified 2.1%; note - both Spanish and all Indigenous languages hold official status (2012 estimate)
major-language sample(s)
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Roman Catholic 65%, Protestant 19.6% (Evangelical (non-specific) 11.9%, Evangelical Baptist 2.1%, Evangelical Pentecostal 1.8%, Evangelical Methodist 0.7%, Adventist 2.8%, Protestant (non-specific) 0.3%), Believer (not belonging to the church) 0.9%, other 4.8%, atheist 1.7%, agnostic 0.6%, none 6.1%, unspecified 1.3% (2023 est.)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years
1.02 male(s)/female
total population
1.01 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.86 male(s)/female
Birth rate
17.02 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
5.99 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
26.2 years
total
27 years (2025 est.)
female
27 years
Population
male
6,257,914
total
12,436,103 (2025 est.)
female
6,178,189
Nationality
noun
Bolivian(s)
adjective
Bolivian
Tobacco use
male
18.9% (2025 est.)
total
11% (2025 est.)
female
3.2% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
71.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.87% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
28.5% (male 1,792,803/female 1,718,081)
15-64 years
64.5% (male 4,002,587/female 3,937,953)
65 years and over
7% (2024 est.) (male 397,384/female 463,166)
Ethnic groups
Mestizo (of mixed White and Indigenous heritage) 68%, Indigenous 20%, White 5%, Cholo/Chola 2%, of African descent 1%, other 1%, unspecified 3%; 44% belong to other Indigenous groups, primarily Quechua or Aymara (2009 estimate)
Child marriage
men married by age 18
5.2% (2016)
women married by age 15
3.4% (2016)
women married by age 18
19.7% (2016)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
54 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
42.9 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
9.1 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
11 (2025 est.)
Physician density
1.28 physicians/1,000 population (2021)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
8.2% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
16.4% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
-0.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
1.4 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate
2.13 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 81% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 94.1% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 99.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 19% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 5.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0.5% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
8.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
10.8% national budget (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
24.5 deaths/1,000 live births
total
22.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
20 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
1.01% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.04 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
the Altiplano, a high-altitude plateau situated in the west between two Andean mountain ranges, serves as the central region for the majority of the population; a concentrated settlement pattern is also observed in and around Santa Cruz, which is located on the eastern flank of the Andes
Life expectancy at birth
male
71 years
female
74 years
total population
72.5 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
146 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 51.4% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 85.8% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 48.6% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 14.2% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
2.22 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.14 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
2.98 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
0.54 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0.08 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
1.936 million LA PAZ (capital), 1.820 million Santa Cruz, 1.400 million Cochabamba (2022); 278,000 Sucre (constitutional capital) (2018)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
20.2% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
21.1 years (2008 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
50.2% (2022 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
3.4% (2016 est.)
Environment
Climate
changes with elevation; ranging from tropical and humid to cold and semiarid
Land use
other
13.5% (2023 est.)
forest
50.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
35.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 5.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 30.5% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
71.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.87% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Methane emissions
other
150.3 kt (2019-2021 est.)
waste
73.1 kt (2019-2021 est.)
energy
122.8 kt (2022-2024 est.)
agriculture
673.4 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
2.219 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
34.4% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
deforestation driven by agricultural land clearing and global timber demand; soil erosion due to overgrazing and ineffective farming techniques (such as slash-and-burn practices); desertification; reduction in biodiversity; industrial contamination of water sources utilized for drinking and irrigation
Total water withdrawal
municipal
252.91 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
32 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
1.92 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
21.552 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
7.881 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
24,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
13.647 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
24.6 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
574 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands,
signed, but not ratified
Environmental Alteration, Conservation of Marine Life
Government
Flag
description: consists of three equal horizontal stripes of red (top), yellow, and green, with the national coat of arms placed in the center of the yellow band
meaning: red symbolizes valor and the blood of national heroes, yellow represents the country's mineral wealth, and green signifies the fertility of the land
history: in 2009, a presidential decree mandated the use of a wiphala - a square, colorful flag representing the diverse ethnic groups of the nation -- alongside the national flag
Capital
name
La Paz (administrative capital); Sucre (constitutional [legislative and judicial] capital)
etymology
La Paz is a shortened form of the city’s original name, Pueblo Nuevo de Nuestra Señora de La Paz (New Town of Our Lady of Peace); Sucre honors Antonio José de SUCRE (1795-1830), Bolivia's second president
time difference
UTC-4 (one hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
16 30 S, 68 09 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
yes
citizenship by descent only
yes
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
3 years
Constitution
history
multiple previous versions; the most recent drafted from 6 August 2006 to 9 December 2008, ratified by referendum on 25 January 2009, effective from 7 February 2009
amendment process
proposed through public petition by at least 20% of eligible voters or by the Plurinational Legislative Assembly; passage requires a two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly's total membership and approval in a referendum
Country name
former
Upper Peru
etymology
the nation is named in tribute to Simón BOLÍVAR, a prominent leader in the South American independence movements of the 19th century
local long form
Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia
local short form
Bolivia
conventional long form
Plurinational State of Bolivia
conventional short form
Bolivia
Independence
6 August 1825 (from Spain)
Legal system
a civil law system influenced by Roman, Spanish, canon (religious), French, and pre-colonial laws of various ethnic groups
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (composed of 12 judges divided into civil, penal, social, and administrative chambers); Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal (comprises 7 primary and 7 alternate magistrates); Plurinational Electoral Organ (includes 7 members and 6 alternates); National Agro-Environment Court (contains 5 primary and 5 alternate judges); Council of the Judiciary (consists of 3 primary and 3 alternate judges)
subordinate courts
National Electoral Court; District Courts (located in each of the 9 administrative departments); agro-environmental lower courts
judge selection and term of office
Candidates for the Supreme Court, Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal, National Agro-Environmental Court, and Council of the Judiciary are pre-selected by the Plurinational Legislative Assembly and elected by direct popular vote; judges serve 6-year terms; judges of the Plurinational Electoral Organ are appointed - 6 by the Legislative Assembly and 1 by the president of the republic; members serve single 6-year terms
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the president
chief of state
President Rodrigo PAZ Pereira (since 8 November 2025)
election results
2025: Rodrigo PAZ Pereira elected president in second round; percent vote in first round - Rodrigo PAZ Pereira (PDC) 32.1%, Jorge Fernando QUIROGA Ramírez (LIBRE) 26.7%, Samuel DORIA MEDINA Auza (UN) 19.7%, Andrónico RODRÌGUEZ Ledezma (AP) 8.5%, Manfred REYES Villa (APB Súmate) 6.8%, Eduardo DEL CASTILLO (MAS) 3.2%, other 3%; percent of vote in second round - Rodrigo PAZ Pereira 55%, Jorge Fernando QUIROGA Ramírez 45%
2020: Luis Alberto ARCE Catacora elected president; percent of vote - Luis Alberto ARCE Catacora (MAS) 55.1%; Carlos Diego MESA Gisbert (CC) 28.8%; Luis Fernando CAMACHO Vaca (Creemos) 14%; other 2.1%
2019: Juan Evo MORALES Ayma reelected president; percent of vote - Juan Evo MORALES Ayma (MAS) 61%; Samuel DORIA MEDINA Arana (UN) 24.5%; Jorge QUIROGA Ramirez (POC) 9.1%; other 5.4%
head of government
President Rodrigo PAZ Pereira (since 8 November 2025)
most recent election date
17 August 2025
election/appointment process
The president and vice president are elected directly on the same ballot in one of three ways: a candidate must secure at least 50% of the vote, or at least 40% with a 10% margin over the next highest candidate; if these conditions are not met, a second round is conducted and the winner is determined by a simple majority vote; both the president and vice president are elected by majority vote for a term of 5 years; there are no term limits
expected date of next election
2030
National holiday
Independence Day, 6 August (1825)
National color(s)
red, yellow, green
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
7 (6 cultural, 1 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
City of Potosi (c); El Fuerte de Samaipata (c); Historic Sucre (c); Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos (c); Noel Kempff Mercado National Park (n); Tiahuanacu (c); Qhapaq Ñan/Andean Road System (c)
Political parties
Autonomy for Bolivia – Súmate or APB Súmate
Christian Democratic Party or PDC
Community Citizen Alliance or ACC
Freedom and Democracy or LIBRE
Front for Victory or FPV
Movement Toward Socialism or MAS
National Unity or UN
Popular Alliance or AP
Revolutionary Left Front or FRI
Revolutionary Nationalist Movement or MNR
Social Democrat Movement or MDS
Third System Movement or MTS
We Believe or Creemos
Legislative branch
legislature name
Plurinational Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa Plurinacional)
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Cancion Patriotica" (Patriotic Song)
history
adopted 1852
lyrics/music
Jose Ignacio de SANJINES/Leopoldo Benedetto VINCENTI
National symbol(s)
llama, Andean condor; two national flowers, the cantuta and the patuju
Administrative divisions
9 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Beni, Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, Tarija
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
Chamber of Deputies (Cámara de Diputados)
term in office
5 years
number of seats
130 (all directly elected)
electoral system
mixed system
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
8/17/2025
expected date of next election
August 2030
percentage of women in chamber
50.8%
parties elected and seats per party
Christian Democratic Party (PDC) (49); LIBRE (39); Unity (26); Popular Alliance (8); Other (8)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Chamber of Senators (Cámara de Senadores)
term in office
5 years
number of seats
36 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
8/17/2025
expected date of next election
August 2030
percentage of women in chamber
58.3%
parties elected and seats per party
Christian Democratic Party (PDC) (16); LIBRE (12); Unity (7); Other (1)
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 328-3712
chancery
3014 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 483-4410
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Henry BALDELOMAR CHÁVEZ (since 11 October 2023)
consulate(s) general
Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York
email address and website
[email protected]
https://www.boliviawdc.org/en-us/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[591] (2) 216-8111
embassy
Avenida Arce 2780, Casilla 425, La Paz
telephone
[591] (2) 216-8000
mailing address
3220 La Paz Place, Washington DC 20512-3220
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Debra HEVIA (since September 2023)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://bo.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
CAN, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMID, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not put forward an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Economy
Budget
revenues
$11.796 billion (2019 est.)
expenditures
$14.75 billion (2019 est.)
Exports
Exports 2021
$11.594 billion (2021 est.)
Exports 2022
$14.465 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$11.905 billion (2023 est.)
Imports
Imports 2021
$10.187 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2022
$13.462 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$12.988 billion (2023 est.)
Industries
mining, smelting, electricity generation, petroleum production, food and beverages, handicrafts, apparel, jewelry
Labor force
6.859 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2017
49% of GDP (2017 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2021
3.5% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022
3.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
3.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
bolivianos (BOB) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
6.91 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
6.91 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
6.91 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
6.91 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
6.91 (2024 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$11.174 billion (2023 est.)
Economic overview
the economy rich in resources experiences advantages during commodity price surges; has granted legal rights to Mother Earth, affecting extraction sectors; enhanced trade relations with China regarding lithium mining; severely impacted by COVID-19; increased government expenditure amidst rising poverty levels; widespread corruption in banking and finance
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
3.6% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
3.1% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
3.1% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
Brazil 15%, India 13%, China 11%, Argentina 11%, UAE 8% (2023)
Imports - partners
China 22%, Brazil 18%, Chile 13%, USA 7%, Peru 5% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$9,700 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$9,800 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$9,800 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
3.6% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
3.1% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
1.4% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
sugarcane, soybeans, maize, potatoes, sorghum, rice, milk, chicken, plantains, beef (2023)
Exports - commodities
gold, natural gas, precious metal ore, zinc ore, soybean meal (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, automobiles, pesticides, trucks, plastics (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2021
$1.581 billion (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2022
$939.084 million (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
-$1.15 billion (2023 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$49.668 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
68.5% (2023 est.)
government consumption
19.3% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories
0.1% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital
17.5% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services
25.5% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services
-30.9% (2023 est.)
Population below poverty line
37.7% (2022 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food
29.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco
2.2% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
1.7% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
2.6% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
5.1% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
1.1% (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$116.927 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$120.531 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$122.2 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
4.8% (2024 est.)
total
5.2% (2024 est.)
female
5.8% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$3.752 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$1.8 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$1.977 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
24.2% (2023 est.)
services
51.1% (2023 est.)
agriculture
13.5% (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
1.8% (2023 est.)
highest 10%
31.3% (2023 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2023
42.1 (2023 est.)
Energy
Coal
imports
7,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
9,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves
1 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production
58,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves
240.9 million barrels (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption
100,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
consumption
10.863 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
4.375 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
1.079 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
exports
7.816 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
production
12.302 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
4.025 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves
302.99 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - rural areas
95.6%
electrification - urban areas
100%
electrification - total population
99.9% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
29.34 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
wind
3.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
2.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
65% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
24.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste
3.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
70% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
Numerous radio and television stations are in operation, with private media entities holding a predominant position; both state-owned and private broadcasting services typically function without restriction, albeit pro-government and anti-government factions have targeted media organizations as a reaction to their coverage (2019)
Internet country code
.bo
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
369,000 (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
3 (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
12.2 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
98 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
1.33 million (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
11 (2022 est.)
Transportation
Airports
201 (2025)
Railways
total
3,960 km (2019)
narrow gauge
3,960 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge
Heliports
3 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
50 (2023)
by type
general cargo 30, oil tanker 2, other 18
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
CP
Military & Security
Military - note
The Bolivian Armed Forces (FAB) are tasked with the defense of national territory, while also undertaking specific internal security responsibilities, notably in counternarcotics efforts and border security; the FAB collaborates with the National Police (PNB) in enforcing border regulations and may be deployed to support the PNB in maintaining public order during emergencies.
Being landlocked, Bolivia maintains a naval force to oversee approximately 5,000 miles of navigable rivers, aiming to combat drug trafficking and smuggling, provide disaster relief, and deliver supplies to isolated rural regions, in addition to securing a presence on Lake Titicaca. The Navy also serves to foster a maritime heritage and as a symbol of Bolivia's historical defeat by Chile during the War of the Pacific (1879-1883), reflecting its aspiration to reclaim access to the Pacific Ocean. Annually, on March 23, the Navy takes part in parades and official ceremonies that honor the Día Del Mar (Day of the Sea) holiday, which commemorates this loss (2025).
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
1.4% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
1.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
1.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
1.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
1.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
Bolivian Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas de Bolivia or FAB): Bolivian Army (Ejercito de Boliviano), Bolivian Navy (Armada Boliviana), Bolivian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Boliviana)
Ministry of Government: National Police (Policía Nacional de Bolivia, PNB) (2025)
Military service age and obligation
Service is voluntary for both men and women aged 18-22 years; there is a selective 12-month mandatory service for men aged 18-22 (24 months of search and rescue service may be undertaken as a substitute for military service) (2025).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The military utilizes a combination of predominantly older armaments sourced from Brazil, China, Europe, and the United States (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
There are about 30,000 to 35,000 active-duty personnel within the Armed Forces (2025).
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Tren de Aragua (TdA)
Transnational Issues
Illicit drugs
USG identification
major illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit country
major precursor-chemical producer (2025)
Trafficking in persons
tier rating
Tier 2 Watch List — Bolivia has not shown significant improvement in its efforts to combat trafficking relative to the last reporting period and has therefore been moved down to the Tier 2 Watch List; for further information, visit: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/bolivia/
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs
12,070 (2024 est.)
refugees
1,163 (2024 est.)
Space
Space agency/agencies
The Bolivian Space Agency (Agencia Boliviana Espacial, ABE), which was created in 2010 as a national public entity under the Ministry of Public Works, Services and Housing, is projected to operate until 2025.
Space program overview
This agency maintains a modest space program that concentrates on the acquisition and management of satellites; it oversees a telecommunications satellite along with its associated ground stations. Additionally, it has collaborated with China, India, and the member nations of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency as of 2025.
Key space-program milestones
2013 - The inaugural communications satellite, Túpac Katari (TKSAT-1), was constructed and launched by China.
2016 - The agency started to function independently with the TKSAT-1 satellite.
2021 - Protocols were signed to establish the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency.
