Bolivia

The population of Bolivia is approximately 13M (2024).

The capital of Bolivia is Sucre.

Bolivia's GDP per capita is $4.3K (2024).

Life expectancy in Bolivia is 68.74 years (2024).

Bolivia covers 1,098,581 km² (424,164 sq mi).

Bolivia is sparsely populated, averaging 12 people per km², below the global average of 60.

Bolivia's population is growing steadily at 1.4% per year, in line with global averages.

Based on GDP per capita, Bolivia falls in the lower-middle GDP-per-person tier at $4.3K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.

Bolivia's intentional homicide rate is 4.4 per 100,000 people, close to the global average.

Bolivia has 4 official languages: Aymara, Guaraní, Quechua, Spanish.

Bolivia uses the Bolivian boliviano (Bs.) as its sole official currency.

The best months to visit Bolivia are May, September, October, November, based on climate data for the capital.

According to the latest estimates, Bolivia's population is approximately 12.8 million people. The nation currently ranks 78 globally in population size and 8 of 12 within the South American subregion. The population continues to grow at an annual rate of 1.4%, with more than 71% of residents living in urban areas.

Recent data shows a GDP per capita of 4,322 USD, which places Bolivia at 140 globally. Within South America, the country ranks 11 of 12 for this metric. The total nominal GDP is approximately 54.9 billion USD, giving the nation a global GDP rank of 89 among 212 tracked economies.

The adult literacy rate in Bolivia is 96.7%, representing a high level of educational attainment compared to historical averages. This figure places the country at 62 globally out of 170 nations. Ongoing efforts in public education have helped maintain this rate, ensuring that the vast majority of adults possess basic reading and writing skills.

Current estimates indicate that 79.7% of the Bolivian population uses the internet, which ranks the country 110 globally. This level of connectivity reflects significant investments in telecommunications infrastructure across both the Andean highlands and the lowland tropical regions. Increasing mobile penetration has been a primary driver of this digital expansion.

The latest available data shows a life expectancy at birth of 68.7 years for the Bolivian population. This figure ranks the nation 161 globally out of 215 countries. While healthcare access has improved, the country continues to face challenges related to rural health services and the impact of living at high altitudes.

Bolivia reports a low unemployment rate of 3.0%, which ranks 149 of 186 nations globally. While this percentage is low, it is often influenced by a large informal labor sector that provides subsistence for many citizens. The national economy relies heavily on natural resource extraction and agriculture to provide formal employment opportunities.

Bolivia currently holds the global rank of 78 out of 215 countries and territories in terms of total population. Regionally, it is the 12th most populous country in the Americas and ranks 8th within the South American subregion. These rankings have remained relatively stable according to recent population data.

Bolivia's population is growing at an annual rate of 1.37%, which translates to an estimated net increase of approximately 467 people every day. This growth is driven by a crude birth rate of 21.026 per 1,000 people, which significantly outweighs the crude death rate of 7.172 per 1,000 people.

The current population density of Bolivia is estimated at 11.8 people per km² (30.6 people per sq mi). This low density places Bolivia at rank 200 out of 215 countries worldwide and 42nd in the Americas. Vast areas of the country remain sparsely populated due to the rugged Andean geography.

The latest data indicates that the fertility rate in Bolivia is 2.52 births per woman. This rate is the 76th highest globally and contributes significantly to the country's ongoing population growth. While this figure has been declining over several decades, it remains above the replacement level needed for population stability.

Approximately 71.2% of Bolivia's population resides in urban environments, placing the nation 83rd globally in urbanization. This shift toward city living is driven by industrialization and the expansion of the service sector in major hubs like Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Urban centers continue to attract residents from rural areas.