Country Profile: Bolivia

Bolivia, officially known as the Plurinational State of Bolivia, is a landlocked country located in central South America, southwest of Brazil. The nation's rich cultural diversity is reflected in its population, which exceeds 12 million and is primarily composed of Mestizo and Indigenous groups. Bolivia has a resource-rich economy that has faced challenges from poverty and corruption while navigating a complex political landscape characterized by coups and social movements. Governed as a presidential republic, Bolivia's governance structure has evolved significantly since the establishment of democratic rule in 1982.

Geography

Bolivia is situated in central South America, sharing borders with Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Peru. The country's diverse terrain encompasses the rugged Andes Mountains, the Altiplano highland plateau, and the lowland plains of the Amazon Basin. With an area of approximately 1,098,581 square kilometers, Bolivia is landlocked and has no coastlines, and its highest elevation is the Nevado Sajama at 6,542 meters.

1,098,581 sq km - Total area of Bolivia.
1,083,301 sq km - Land area.
7,252 km - Total land boundaries with neighboring countries.
3,805 m - Elevation of Lago Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake.
50.6% - Percentage of forested land in Bolivia (2023 est.).

People and Society

Bolivia's population has an estimated 12.3 million people, with a significant portion residing in urban areas. The nation features a rich tapestry of ethnic groups, mainly Mestizo (68%), Indigenous (20%), and various others. The official languages include Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara, with a literacy rate of approximately 95.6% as of 2023. The society is deeply influenced by both Indigenous traditions and modern governmental structures.

12,311,974 - Estimated population in 2024.
71.2% - Urban population percentage as of 2023.
26.6 years - Median age of the population in 2024.
17.6 births/1,000 - Birth rate in 2024.
72.5 years - Life expectancy at birth in 2024.
37.7% - Percentage of the population living below the poverty line (2022 est.).

Economy

Bolivia's economy is characterized by its wealth of natural resources, benefiting from mineral and agricultural exports while grappling with issues of poverty and corruption. As of 2024, the real GDP is estimated at $122.2 billion, reflecting a modest growth rate of 1.4%. The economy is heavily influenced by the extraction of lithium and other minerals, as well as agricultural products like sugarcane and soybeans.

$122.2 billion - Real GDP (PPP) as of 2024.
1.4% - Expected real GDP growth rate for 2024.
3.1% - Unemployment rate in 2024.
51.1% - Share of services sector in GDP composition (2023).
$11.905 billion - Total exports in 2023.

Government

Bolivia operates as a presidential republic, with the President serving as both the head of state and government. The current president is Rodrigo Paz Pereira, elected on August 17, 2025. Bolivia's legislative framework consists of a bicameral assembly, while the legal system is influenced by civil law. Elections are held every five years with universal suffrage.

8 November 2025 - Start date of the current presidential term.
130 - Seats in the Chamber of Deputies.
36 - Seats in the Chamber of Senators.
18 years - Minimum voting age.
9 departments - Administrative divisions of the country.

Military and Security

Bolivia's military, the Armed Forces of Bolivia (FAB), includes the Army, Navy, and Air Force, alongside the National Police. The country allocates 1.2% of its GDP to military expenditures. The military's role encompasses territorial defense and internal security, especially regarding narcotics-related issues and border enforcement.

30-35,000 - Estimated active-duty personnel in the Armed Forces as of 2025.
1.2% - Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP in 2024.
Compulsory service - Required for men aged 18 to 22.
Navy - Engaged in patrolling over 5,000 miles of navigable rivers.

Energy

Bolivia's energy sector comprises a diverse range of sources, including natural gas, fossil fuels, and increasingly renewable sources. The country has a high electrification rate of nearly 99.9% across the population, with a significant portion of electricity generated from hydroelectric sources.

99.9% - Electrification rate of the total population (2022).
4.375 million kW - Installed electricity generating capacity as of 2023.
65% - Share of fossil fuels in total installed electricity capacity.
12.302 billion cubic meters - Natural gas production in 2023.

Environment

Bolivia faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil erosion, and pollution of water resources. The country is a signatory to various international environmental agreements aimed at addressing climate change and biodiversity preservation.

50.6% - Percentage of land classified as forest (2023).
21.552 million metric tonnes - Carbon dioxide emissions estimated for 2023.
574 billion cubic meters - Total renewable water resources (2022 est.).

Transportation

Bolivia's transportation infrastructure includes a mix of air, rail, and road networks, with a total of 201 airports. Railways span approximately 3,960 km, connecting various regions of the country.

201 - Total airports in Bolivia (2025).
3,960 km - Length of railways.
50 - Total merchant marine vessels in service (2023).

Communications

The communications sector in Bolivia is rapidly growing, with a significant share of the population having access to mobile and internet services. Approximately 70% of people are internet users, reflecting advances in digital connectivity.

12 million - Mobile cellular subscriptions (2021).
550,000 - Fixed-line subscriptions (2021).
70% - Percentage of the population using the internet (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	12,311,974	2024 Estimated
Total Area	1,098,581 sq km	Total area of Bolivia
Real GDP (PPP)	$122.2 billion	2024 Estimated
Life Expectancy	72.5 years	At birth, 2024 Estimated
Unemployment Rate	3.1%	2024 Estimated
Electrification Rate	99.9%	Total population, 2022 Estimated
Urban Population	71.2%	As of 2023
Internet Users	70%	2023 Estimated
Military Expenditures	1.2% of GDP	2024 Estimated
Total Exports	$11.905 billion	2023 Estimated