Country Profile: Bolivia

Bolivia, a landlocked nation in central South America, boasts diverse geography featuring the rugged Andes Mountains and the lowland plains of the Amazon Basin. The country's population of approximately 12.4 million is predominantly of mixed ethnicities, including a significant Indigenous majority. Economically, Bolivia is rich in natural resources, yet faces challenges from high poverty rates and political tumult, notably stemming from a history of coups and social unrest. Governed as a presidential republic, Bolivia has experienced significant political shifts, particularly under leaders like Evo Morales and the current president, Rodrigo Paz Pereira.

Geography

Bolivia's geography is characterized by its highland plateau (Altiplano) and the towering Andes Mountains, creating a diverse climate that ranges from humid and tropical to cold and semiarid. The country is landlocked, sharing borders with several nations and featuring vast natural resources including lithium and natural gas.

1,098,581 sq km total area, making it slightly less than three times the size of Montana.
7,252 km of land boundaries with neighboring countries including Brazil, Argentina, and Chile.
Home to Lago Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake at 3,805 m elevation.
50.6% of the land is forested, with 35.8% used for agriculture.

People and Society

Bolivia has a population of around 12.4 million (2025 estimate) with a median age of 27 years. The country features a rich tapestry of cultures with a significant Indigenous population, alongside notable linguistic diversity with Spanish and Indigenous languages recognized as official.

71.2% of the population is urban (2023).
68% Mestizo, 20% Indigenous, and 5% White populations reflect diverse ethnicities.
Literacy rate stands at 95.6% (2023).
Life expectancy at birth is approximately 72.5 years (2024).
Birth rate is 17.02 births/1,000 population (2025).

Economy

Bolivia's economy is resource-rich, heavily reliant on natural resources including lithium and natural gas, but it faces issues like poverty and corruption. The economy has shown recovery after COVID-19 impacts, with projections of moderate growth.

Real GDP (PPP) expected at $122.2 billion (2024).
Economic output by sector: 51.1% services, 24.2% industry, 13.5% agriculture (2023).
Unemployment rate remains low at 3.1% (2024).
37.7% of the population lives below the national poverty line (2022).

Government

Bolivia is a presidential republic with a complex political history characterized by rapid changes in leadership. The current president is Rodrigo Paz Pereira, elected in 2025 amid a diverse political landscape.

Capital cities: La Paz (administrative), Sucre (constitutional).
Suffrage is universal for those 18 years and older.
Bicameral legislature: Chamber of Deputies with 130 members and Chamber of Senators with 36 members.
The most recent elections were held on 17 August 2025.

Military and Security

The Bolivian Armed Forces are tasked with national defense and internal security, including counternarcotics efforts. The country maintains a modest military presence reflecting its regional security needs.

Military expenditures are around 1.2% of GDP (2024).
Approximately 30-35,000 active-duty personnel are in service (2025).
The military utilizes a mix of equipment primarily sourced from Brazil, China, and the US.

Energy

Bolivia's energy sector is heavily focused on fossil fuels, accounting for the majority of its electricity generation. The country has made significant strides in increasing electrification across urban and rural areas.

99.9% of the population has access to electricity (2022).
Total installed generating capacity is 4.375 million kW (2023).
65% of energy comes from fossil fuels; 24.9% from hydroelectric sources.

Environment

Bolivia faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation and soil erosion, worsened by agricultural practices and urbanization.

Approximately 35.8% of land is used for agriculture (2023).
Bolivia is part of multiple international environmental agreements, including the Paris Agreement.
Reports indicate 21.552 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions for 2023.

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure in Bolivia includes extensive air travel and railway networks, along with a growing merchant marine.

201 airports are operational (2025).
Railways extend for 3,960 km (2019).
The merchant marine comprises 50 vessels (2023).

Communications

Bolivia has seen significant growth in telecommunications, with a high number of mobile subscriptions and internet usage.

12.2 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2024).
Internet penetration is around 70% (2023).
Fixed broadband subscriptions stood at 1.33 million (2022).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	12,436,103	2025 estimate
Area	1,098,581 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$122.2 billion	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	3.1%	2024 estimate
Birth Rate	17.02 births/1,000	2025 estimate
Life Expectancy	72.5 years	2024 estimate
Electricity Access	99.9%	2022 estimate
Literacy	95.6%	2023 estimate
Military Expenditures	1.2% of GDP	2024 estimate
Urban Population	71.2%	2023 estimate