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Bolivia

South America · La Paz (administrative capital); Sucre (constitutional [legislative and judicial] capital) · presidential republic

What Bolivia means for your money — the prices you pay, the tariffs in motion, and where U.S. policy could change both.

Map showing the location of Bolivia

$618M

U.S. imports, 2025

+23%

change in one year

$349M

U.S. exports, 2025

12M

Population

$49.7B

GDP

In your house

What you buy that Bolivia makes

America bought $618M in goods from Bolivia in 2025 — up 23% in a single year. Of every $100 of it, here's where the money went.

Tin

$243M39.3%

Nonmonetary gold

$99M16%

Chemicals-inorganic

$63M10.1%

Nuts

nuts

$49M7.9%

Steelmaking materials

$39M6.4%

Feedstuff and foodgrains

$28M4.6%

Sulfur, nonmetallic minerals

$12M1.9%

Shingles, wallboard

$10M1.6%

U.s. goods returned, and reimports

$9M1.4%

Lumber

lumber for homebuilding

$7M1.2%

2026 so far (through April): $217M in imports. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade in Goods (customs basis).

The other direction

What America sells to Bolivia

$349M in 2025 — a trade rupture cuts both ways, for American producers as well as American prices.

Civilian aircraft, engines, equipment, and parts

$39M

Plastic materials

$25M

plastics for packaging and goods

Petroleum products, other

$20M

Industrial engines

$20M

Other foods

$17M

Industrial machines, other

$14M

Passenger cars, new and used

$14M

new and used cars

Telecommunications equipment

$12M

phones, routers, networking gear

Chemicals-other

$12M

Where you stand

U.S. tariff posture toward Bolivia

No U.S. tariff action singles this country out. Its goods face the universal 10% temporary import surcharge under Section 122 of the Trade Act (which replaced the IEEPA reciprocal baseline in February 2026) plus the sectoral Section 232 duties — steel and aluminum at 50% — that apply to all countries. The Section 122 surcharge is statutorily temporary — scheduled to lapse on or about July 23, 2026 (a 150-day cap) unless extended or replaced.

Reciprocal tariff (universal baseline)

10%

The universal 10% floor — a Section 122 import surcharge since February 2026, previously the EO 14257 reciprocal baseline — applies to nearly all U.S. imports. This country has no higher assigned rate of its own.

Policy in motion

Tariff status: a moving target

No U.S. tariff action names Bolivia. These are the universal measures — applied to every country without a country-specific arrangement — that set its treatment.

  1. 2026-04-06

    Section 232 metals coverage expanded

    In effect

    The April 2026 proclamation strengthening Section 232 actions on aluminum, steel, and copper expanded derivative-product coverage for all countries, keeping the general metals rate at 50%.

    91 FR 18201
  2. 2026-02-24

    IEEPA reciprocal tariffs terminated — replaced by 10% Section 122 surcharge

    In effect

    Executive Order 14389 (Ending Certain Tariff Actions) terminated the IEEPA tariff duties — including the EO 14257 reciprocal baseline — effective February 24, 2026. A flat 10% Section 122 temporary import surcharge (Proclamation 11012 of February 20, 2026) replaced them, leaving the universal rate unchanged at 10% on a different statutory basis. Section 122 caps such surcharges at 150 days, so this 10% surcharge is scheduled to lapse on or about July 23, 2026 absent further action (the administration has signaled it could raise the rate toward the 15% statutory maximum).

    91 FR 9437
  3. 2025-11-13

    Agricultural products exempted from reciprocal tariffs

    In effect

    Executive Order 14360 of November 14, 2025 removed reciprocal duties from certain agricultural products listed in its annexes (coffee, cocoa, bananas, and other goods the U.S. does not produce in sufficient quantity), retroactive to November 13, 2025 — for all countries subject to the reciprocal tariff.

    90 FR 54091
  4. 2025-06-04

    Section 232 steel and aluminum duties doubled to 50%

    In effect

    The June 3, 2025 proclamation raised Section 232 duties on steel and aluminum articles and derivatives from 25% to 50% for all countries, effective June 4, 2025.

    90 FR 24199
  5. 2025-04-05

    Universal 10% reciprocal baseline takes effect

    In effect

    Executive Order 14257 (signed April 2, 2025) imposed a 10% ad valorem reciprocal duty on imports from all trading partners, effective April 5, 2025. Countries without a higher Annex I rate remain at this baseline.

    Federal Register · 2025-06063
  6. 2025-03-12

    Section 232 steel and aluminum duties set at 25% for all countries

    In effect

    Proclamations of February 10, 2025 terminated all country exemptions and quota arrangements and applied 25% Section 232 duties to steel and aluminum imports from every country, effective March 12, 2025.

    90 FR 9817

Made for America

What Bolivia makes for America

Bolivia is a direct U.S. source of 3 essential goods Americans rely on — the items themselves, shipped finished off the line.

Reference

The country itself

South America · Geography, people, economy, and government — public-domain data from the CIA World Factbook.

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.

Regional map of Bolivia

Geography

Location
Central South America, southwest of Brazil
Area
1,098,581 sq km
Climate
varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid
Terrain
rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, lowland plains of the Amazon Basin
Natural resources
lithium, tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, hydropower
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Natural hazards
flooding in the northeast (March to April) volcanism: volcanic activity in Andes Mountains on the border with Chile; historically active volcanoes in this region are Irruputuncu (5,163 m), which last erupted in 1995, and the Olca-Paruma volcanic complex (5,762 m to 5,167 m)

People & society

Population
12,436,103 (2025 est.)
Nationality
Bolivian(s)
Ethnic groups
Mestizo (mixed White and Indigenous ancestry) 68%, Indigenous 20%, White 5%, Cholo/Chola 2%, African descent 1%, other 1%, unspecified 3%; 44% other Indigenous group, predominantly Quechua or Aymara (2009 est.)
Languages
Spanish (official) 68.1%, Quechua (official) 17.2%, Aymara (official) 10.5%, Guarani (official) 0.6%, other 1.5%, unspecified 2.1%; note - Spanish and all Indigenous languages are official (2012 est.)
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.)
Median age
27 years (2025 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
72.5 years (2024 est.)
Literacy
95.6% (2023 est.)

Economy

Economic overview
resource-rich economy benefits during commodity booms; has bestowed juridical rights to Mother Earth, impacting extraction industries; increasing Chinese lithium mining trade relations; hard hit by COVID-19; increased fiscal spending amid poverty increases; rampant banking and finance corruption
Industries
mining, smelting, electricity, petroleum, food and beverages, handicrafts, clothing, jewelry
Agricultural products
sugarcane, soybeans, maize, potatoes, sorghum, rice, milk, chicken, plantains, beef (2023)
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)

Government

Government type
presidential republic
Capital
La Paz (administrative capital); Sucre (constitutional [legislative and judicial] capital)
Independence
6 August 1825 (from Spain)
Constitution
many previous; latest drafted 6 August 2006 to 9 December 2008, approved by referendum 25 January 2009, effective 7 February 2009
Executive branch
President Rodrigo PAZ Pereira (since 8 November 2025)
Legislative branch
Plurinational Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa Plurinacional)

Full reference data

Every field, by section — CIA World Factbook. Open a topic to expand it.

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.
Travel Facts
US State Dept Travel Advisory
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution in Bolivia due to civil unrest. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements
US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp and or visa that will be required. A visa is required. US citizens will need to get in touch with the country’s embassy or nearest consulate to obtain a visa prior to visiting the country.
US Embassy/Consulate
[591] (2) 216-8000; US Embassy in La Paz, Avenida Arce 2780, Casilla 425, La Paz, Bolivia; https://bo.usembassy.gov/; ConsularLaPazACS@state.gov
Telephone Code
591
Local Emergency Phone
911
Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations. http://www.who.int/
Climate
Varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid
Currency (Code)
Bolivianos (BOB)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
110 V, 220 V, 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): A, C (Most use 220-230 V, older buildings use 110 V)
Major Languages
Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, Guarani
Major Religions
Roman Catholic 70%, Evangelical 14.5%, Adventist 2.5%, Mormon 1.2%, agnostic 0.3%, atheist 0.8%, other 3.5%, none 6.6%
Time Difference
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water
Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit
Suggested; additionally, if you plan to drive in Bolivia, you will need an Inter-American Driving Permit issued by the AAA
Road Driving Side
Right
Tourist Destinations
Sajama National Park; Oruro Carnival; Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos; La Paz (includes the Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace); Torotoro National Park; Tiwanaku; Yungas Road cycle route (“Death Road”); Qhapaq Nan/Andean Road System
Major Sports
Soccer, trompo (top game with attached string)
Cultural Practices
Bolivians use both maternal and paternal surnames.
Tipping Guidelines
In restaurants, a tip of 5-10% is in order if you are happy with the service. Taxi drivers do not expect tips unless you hire them for the day, in which case 10% is appropriate.
Souvenirs
Native pottery and handicrafts, paper mache and copper decorations, llama and alpaca woolen items, woven ponchos, jewelry and "good luck" charms
Traditional Cuisine
Salteñas (empanadas) — savory pastries filled with beef, pork, or chicken mixed in a sweet, slightly spicy sauce containing olives, raisins, and potatoes
CIA source last updated
Wednesday, October 05, 2022
Travel resources

Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.

World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.

US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.

To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)

How to get help in an emergency? Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444

Page last updated: Wednesday, October 05, 2022

Geography
Location
Central South America, southwest of Brazil
Geographic coordinates
17 00 S, 65 00 W
Map references
South America
Area - total
1,098,581 sq km
Area - land
1,083,301 sq km
Area - water
15,280 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly less than three times the size of Montana
Land boundaries - total
7,252 km
Land boundaries - border countries
Argentina 942 km; Brazil 3,403 km; Chile 942 km; Paraguay 753 km; Peru 1,212 km
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Climate
varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid
Terrain
rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, lowland plains of the Amazon Basin
Elevation - highest point
Nevado Sajama 6,542 m
Elevation - lowest point
Rio Paraguay 90 m
Elevation - mean elevation
1,192 m
Natural resources
lithium, tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, hydropower
Land use - agricultural land
35.8% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 5.1% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 30.5% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
50.6% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
13.5% (2023 est.)
Irrigated land
2,972 sq km (2017)
Major lakes (area sq km) - fresh water lake(s)
Lago Titicaca (shared with Peru) - 8,030 sq km
Major lakes (area sq km) - salt water lake(s)
Lago Poopo - 1,340 sq km
Major watersheds (area sq km) - Atlantic Ocean drainage
Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Paraná (2,582,704 sq km)
Major aquifers
Amazon Basin
Population distribution
a high-altitude plain in the west between two cordillera of the Andes, known as the Altiplano, is the focal area for most of the population; a dense settlement pattern is also found in and around the city of Santa Cruz, located on the eastern side of the Andes
Natural hazards
flooding in the northeast (March to April) volcanism: volcanic activity in Andes Mountains on the border with Chile; historically active volcanoes in this region are Irruputuncu (5,163 m), which last erupted in 1995, and the Olca-Paruma volcanic complex (5,762 m to 5,167 m)
Geography - note
landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru
People and Society
Population - total
12,436,103 (2025 est.)
Population - male
6,257,914
Population - female
6,178,189
Nationality - noun
Bolivian(s)
Nationality - adjective
Bolivian
Ethnic groups
Mestizo (mixed White and Indigenous ancestry) 68%, Indigenous 20%, White 5%, Cholo/Chola 2%, African descent 1%, other 1%, unspecified 3%; 44% other Indigenous group, predominantly Quechua or Aymara (2009 est.)
Ethnic groups - note
note: results among surveys vary based on the wording of the ethnicity question and the available response choices; the 2001 national census did not provide "Mestizo" as a response choice, resulting in a much higher proportion of respondents identifying themselves as belonging to one of the available indigenous ethnicity choices; the use of "Mestizo" and "Cholo" varies among response choices in surveys, with surveys using the terms interchangeably, providing one or the other as a response choice, or providing the two as separate response choices
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 - Spanish and all Indigenous languages are official (2012 est.)
Languages - 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.)
Age structure - 0-14 years
28.5% (male 1,792,803/female 1,718,081)
Age structure - 15-64 years
64.5% (male 4,002,587/female 3,937,953)
Age structure - 65 years and over
7% (2024 est.) (male 397,384/female 463,166)
Dependency ratios - total dependency ratio
54 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - youth dependency ratio
42.9 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - elderly dependency ratio
11 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - potential support ratio
9.1 (2025 est.)
Median age - total
27 years (2025 est.)
Median age - male
26.2 years
Median age - female
27 years
Population growth rate
1.01% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
17.02 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
5.99 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-0.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
a high-altitude plain in the west between two cordillera of the Andes, known as the Altiplano, is the focal area for most of the population; a dense settlement pattern is also found in and around the city of Santa Cruz, located on the eastern side of the Andes
Urbanization - urban population
71.2% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
1.87% annual rate of change (2020-25 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)
Sex ratio - at birth
1.05 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 0-14 years
1.04 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 15-64 years
1.02 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 65 years and over
0.86 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - total population
1.01 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
21.1 years (2008 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth - note
note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49
Maternal mortality ratio
146 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate - total
22.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate - male
24.5 deaths/1,000 live births
Infant mortality rate - female
20 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth - total population
72.5 years (2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth - male
71 years
Life expectancy at birth - female
74 years
Total fertility rate
2.13 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.04 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: urban
urban: 99.5% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: rural
rural: 81% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: total
total: 94.1% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: urban
urban: 0.5% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: rural
rural: 19% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: total
total: 5.9% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
8.2% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
16.4% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
1.28 physicians/1,000 population (2021)
Hospital bed density
1.4 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: rural
rural: 51.4% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: total
total: 85.8% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: rural
rural: 48.6% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: total
total: 14.2% of population (2022 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
20.2% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita - total
2.98 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - beer
2.22 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - wine
0.14 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - spirits
0.54 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - other alcohols
0.08 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use - total
11% (2025 est.)
Tobacco use - male
18.9% (2025 est.)
Tobacco use - female
3.2% (2025 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
3.4% (2016 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
50.2% (2022 est.)
Child marriage - women married by age 15
3.4% (2016)
Child marriage - women married by age 18
19.7% (2016)
Child marriage - men married by age 18
5.2% (2016)
Education expenditure - Education expenditure (% GDP)
8.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure - Education expenditure (% national budget)
10.8% national budget (2024 est.)
Literacy - total population
95.6% (2023 est.)
Literacy - male
97.8% (2023 est.)
Literacy - female
93.5% (2023 est.)
Government
Country name - conventional long form
Plurinational State of Bolivia
Country name - conventional short form
Bolivia
Country name - local long form
Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia
Country name - local short form
Bolivia
Country name - former
Upper Peru
Country name - etymology
the country is named in honor of Simón BOLíVAR, a 19th-century leader in the South American wars for independence
Government type
presidential republic
Capital - name
La Paz (administrative capital); Sucre (constitutional [legislative and judicial] capital)
Capital - geographic coordinates
16 30 S, 68 09 W
Capital - time difference
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Capital - etymology
La Paz is a shortening of the original name of the city, Pueblo Nuevo de Nuestra Señora de La Paz (New Town of Our Lady of Peace); Sucre is named after Antonio José de SUCRE (1795-1830), the second president of Bolivia
Capital - note
note: at approximately 3,630 m above sea level, La Paz's elevation makes it the highest capital city in the world
Administrative divisions
9 departments ( departamentos , singular - departamento ); Beni, Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, Tarija
Legal system
civil law system with influences from Roman, Spanish, canon (religious), French, and ethnic groups' pre-colonial law
Constitution - history
many previous; latest drafted 6 August 2006 to 9 December 2008, approved by referendum 25 January 2009, effective 7 February 2009
Constitution - amendment process
proposed through public petition by at least 20% of voters or by the Plurinational Legislative Assembly; passage requires approval by at least two-thirds majority vote of the total membership of the Assembly and approval in a referendum
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship - citizenship by birth
yes
Citizenship - citizenship by descent only
yes
Citizenship - dual citizenship recognized
yes
Citizenship - residency requirement for naturalization
3 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch - chief of state
President Rodrigo PAZ Pereira (since 8 November 2025)
Executive branch - head of government
President Rodrigo PAZ Pereira (since 8 November 2025)
Executive branch - cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the president
Executive branch - election/appointment process
president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot one of 3 ways: candidate wins at least 50% of the vote, or at least 40% of the vote and 10% more than the next highest candidate; otherwise, a second round is held and the winner determined by simple majority vote; president and vice president are elected by majority vote to serve a 5-year term; no term limits
Executive branch - most recent election date
17 August 2025
Executive branch - 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%
Executive branch - expected date of next election
2030
Executive branch - note
note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
Legislative branch - legislature name
Plurinational Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa Plurinacional)
Legislative branch - legislative structure
bicameral
Legislative branch - lower chamber - chamber name
Chamber of Deputies (Cámara de Diputados)
Legislative branch - lower chamber - number of seats
130 (all directly elected)
Legislative branch - lower chamber - electoral system
mixed system
Legislative branch - lower chamber - scope of elections
full renewal
Legislative branch - lower chamber - term in office
5 years
Legislative branch - lower chamber - most recent election date
8/17/2025
Legislative branch - lower chamber - parties elected and seats per party
Christian Democratic Party (PDC) (49); LIBRE (39); Unity (26); Popular Alliance (8); Other (8)
Legislative branch - lower chamber - percentage of women in chamber
50.8%
Legislative branch - lower chamber - expected date of next election
August 2030
Legislative branch - upper chamber - chamber name
Chamber of Senators (Cámara de Senadores)
Legislative branch - upper chamber - number of seats
36 (all directly elected)
Legislative branch - upper chamber - electoral system
proportional representation
Legislative branch - upper chamber - scope of elections
full renewal
Legislative branch - upper chamber - term in office
5 years
Legislative branch - upper chamber - most recent election date
8/17/2025
Legislative branch - upper chamber - parties elected and seats per party
Christian Democratic Party (PDC) (16); LIBRE (12); Unity (7); Other (1)
Legislative branch - upper chamber - percentage of women in chamber
58.3%
Legislative branch - upper chamber - expected date of next election
August 2030
Judicial branch - highest court(s)
Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (consists of 12 judges organized into civil, penal, social, and administrative chambers); Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal (consists of 7 primary and 7 alternate magistrates); Plurinational Electoral Organ (consists of 7 members and 6 alternates); National Agro-Environment Court (consists of 5 primary and 5 alternate judges; Council of the Judiciary (consists of 3 primary and 3 alternate judges)
Judicial branch - judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court, Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal, National Agro-Environmental Court, and Council of the Judiciary candidates pre-selected by the Plurinational Legislative Assembly and elected by direct popular vote; judges elected for 6-year terms; Plurinational Electoral Organ judges appointed - 6 by the Legislative Assembly and 1 by the president of the republic; members serve single 6-year terms
Judicial branch - subordinate courts
National Electoral Court; District Courts (in each of the 9 administrative departments); agro-environmental lower courts
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
Political parties - note
note: We Believe or Creemos [Luis Fernando CAMACHO Vaca] is a coalition comprised of several opposition parties that participated in the 2020 election, which includes the Christian Democratic Party (PDC) and Solidarity Civic Unity (UCS)
Diplomatic representation in the US - chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Henry BALDELOMAR CHáVEZ (since 11 October 2023)
Diplomatic representation in the US - chancery
3014 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation in the US - telephone
[1] (202) 483-4410
Diplomatic representation in the US - FAX
[1] (202) 328-3712
Diplomatic representation in the US - email address and website
Diplomatic representation in the US - consulate(s) general
Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US - chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Debra HEVIA (since September 2023)
Diplomatic representation from the US - embassy
Avenida Arce 2780, Casilla 425, La Paz
Diplomatic representation from the US - mailing address
3220 La Paz Place, Washington DC 20512-3220
Diplomatic representation from the US - telephone
[591] (2) 216-8000
Diplomatic representation from the US - FAX
[591] (2) 216-8111
Diplomatic representation from the US - email address and website
Diplomatic representation from the US - note
note: in September 2008, the Bolivian Government expelled the US Ambassador to Bolivia, Philip GOLDBERG, and both countries have yet to reinstate their ambassadors
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
Independence
6 August 1825 (from Spain)
National holiday
Independence Day, 6 August (1825)
Flag
description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green, with the coat of arms centered on the yellow band meaning: red stands for bravery and the blood of national heroes, yellow for the nation's mineral resources, and green for the land's fertility history: in 2009, a presidential decree made it mandatory for a wiphala - - a square, multi-colored flag representing the country's ethnic groups -- to be used alongside the national flag
Flag - note
note: similar to the flag of Ghana, which has a large, five-pointed black star centered in the yellow band
National symbol(s)
llama, Andean condor; two national flowers, the cantuta and the patuju
National color(s)
red, yellow, green
National anthem(s) - title
"Cancion Patriotica" (Patriotic Song)
National anthem(s) - lyrics/music
Jose Ignacio de SANJINES/Leopoldo Benedetto VINCENTI
National anthem(s) - history
adopted 1852
National heritage - total World Heritage Sites
7 (6 cultural, 1 natural)
National heritage - 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)
Economy
Economic overview
resource-rich economy benefits during commodity booms; has bestowed juridical rights to Mother Earth, impacting extraction industries; increasing Chinese lithium mining trade relations; hard hit by COVID-19; increased fiscal spending amid poverty increases; rampant banking and finance corruption
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$122.2 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$120.531 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$116.927 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2024
1.4% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2023
3.1% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2022
3.6% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - note
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2024
$9,800 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2023
$9,800 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2022
$9,700 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate)
$49.668 billion (2024 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate) - note
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
5.1% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
2.6% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
1.7% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - note
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - agriculture
13.5% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - industry
24.2% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - services
51.1% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
GDP - composition, by end use - household consumption
68.5% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - government consumption
19.3% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in fixed capital
17.5% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in inventories
0.1% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - exports of goods and services
25.5% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - imports of goods and services
-30.9% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
sugarcane, soybeans, maize, potatoes, sorghum, rice, milk, chicken, plantains, beef (2023)
Agricultural products - note
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
mining, smelting, electricity, petroleum, food and beverages, handicrafts, clothing, jewelry
Industrial production growth rate
1.1% (2023 est.)
Industrial production growth rate - note
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Labor force
6.859 million (2024 est.)
Labor force - note
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2024
3.1% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2023
3.1% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2022
3.6% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate - note
note: % of labor force seeking employment
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - total
5.2% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - male
4.8% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - female
5.8% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - note
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Population below poverty line
37.7% (2022 est.)
Population below poverty line - note
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2023
42.1 (2023 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - note
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Average household expenditures - on food
29.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Average household expenditures - on alcohol and tobacco
2.2% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%
1.8% (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - highest 10%
31.3% (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - note
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances - Remittances 2023
3.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2022
3.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2021
3.5% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances - note
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget - revenues
$11.796 billion (2019 est.)
Budget - expenditures
$14.75 billion (2019 est.)
Public debt - Public debt 2017
49% of GDP (2017 est.)
Public debt - note
note: data cover general government debt and includes debt instruments issued by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities
Current account balance - Current account balance 2023
-$1.15 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2022
$939.084 million (2022 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2021
$1.581 billion (2021 est.)
Current account balance - note
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Exports - Exports 2023
$11.905 billion (2023 est.)
Exports - Exports 2022
$14.465 billion (2022 est.)
Exports - Exports 2021
$11.594 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - note
note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - partners
Brazil 15%, India 13%, China 11%, Argentina 11%, UAE 8% (2023)
Exports - partners - note
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports - commodities
gold, natural gas, precious metal ore, zinc ore, soybean meal (2023)
Exports - commodities - note
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports - Imports 2023
$12.988 billion (2023 est.)
Imports - Imports 2022
$13.462 billion (2022 est.)
Imports - Imports 2021
$10.187 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - note
note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - partners
China 22%, Brazil 18%, Chile 13%, USA 7%, Peru 5% (2023)
Imports - partners - note
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, pesticides, trucks, plastics (2023)
Imports - commodities - note
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$1.977 billion (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$1.8 billion (2023 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 - note
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Debt - external - Debt - external 2023
$11.174 billion (2023 est.)
Debt - external - note
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
Exchange rates - Currency
bolivianos (BOB) per US dollar -
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2024
6.91 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2023
6.91 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2022
6.91 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2021
6.91 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2020
6.91 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access - electrification - total population
99.9% (2022 est.)
Electricity access - electrification - urban areas
100%
Electricity access - electrification - rural areas
95.6%
Electricity - installed generating capacity
4.375 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity - consumption
10.863 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - transmission/distribution losses
1.079 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - fossil fuels
65% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - solar
2.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - wind
3.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - hydroelectricity
24.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - biomass and waste
3.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal - consumption
9,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Coal - imports
7,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Coal - proven reserves
1 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum - total petroleum production
58,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Petroleum - refined petroleum consumption
100,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Petroleum - crude oil estimated reserves
240.9 million barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas - production
12.302 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - consumption
4.025 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - exports
7.816 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Natural gas - proven reserves
302.99 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Energy consumption per capita - Total energy consumption per capita 2023
29.34 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines - total subscriptions
369,000 (2024 est.)
Telephones - fixed lines - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
3 (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - total subscriptions
12.2 million (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
98 (2024 est.)
Broadcast media
large number of radio and TV stations broadcasting with private media outlets dominating; state-owned and private radio and TV stations generally operating freely, although both pro-government and anti-government groups have attacked media outlets in response to their reporting (2019)
Internet country code
.bo
Internet users - percent of population
70% (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - total
1.33 million (2022 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
11 (2022 est.)
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
CP
Airports
201 (2025)
Heliports
3 (2025)
Railways - total
3,960 km (2019)
Railways - narrow gauge
3,960 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge
Merchant marine - total
50 (2023)
Merchant marine - by type
general cargo 30, oil tanker 2, other 18
Military and Security
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 and security forces - note
note: the PNB is part of the reserves for the Armed Forces; the police and military share responsibility for border enforcement
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2024
1.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2023
1.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2022
1.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2021
1.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2020
1.4% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 30-35,000 active-duty Armed Forces (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military is equipped with a mix of mostly older Brazilian, Chinese, European, and US armaments (2025)
Military service age and obligation
voluntary service for men and women 18-22 years of age; selective 12-month compulsory service for men, 18-22 (24 months of search and rescue service can be substituted for military service) (2025)
Military service age and obligation - note
note: as of 2024, women comprised about 11% of the Bolivian military's personnel
Military - note
the Bolivian Armed Forces (FAB) are responsible for territorial defense but also have some internal security duties, particularly counternarcotics and border security; the FAB shares responsibility for border enforcement with the National Police (PNB), and it may be called out to assist the PNB with maintaining public order in critical situations land-locked Bolivia has a naval force for patrolling some 5,000 miles of navigable rivers to combat narcotics trafficking and smuggling, provide disaster relief, and deliver supplies to remote rural areas, as well as for maintaining a presence on Lake Titicaca; the Navy also exists in part to cultivate a maritime tradition and as a reminder of Bolivia’s defeat at the hands of Chile in the War of the Pacific (1879-1883), and its desire to regain access to the Pacific Ocean; every year on 23 March, the Navy participates in parades and government ceremonies commemorating the Día Del Mar (Day of the Sea) holiday that remembers the loss (2025)
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Tren de Aragua (TdA)
Terrorist group(s) - note
note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons - refugees
1,163 (2024 est.)
Refugees and internally displaced persons - IDPs
12,070 (2024 est.)
Trafficking in persons - tier rating
Tier 2 Watch List — Bolivia did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period and was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/bolivia/
Illicit drugs - USG identification
major illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit country major precursor-chemical producer (2025)
Environment
Environmental issues
deforestation from agricultural clearing and international demand for timber; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation methods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification; loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies used for drinking and irrigation
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,
International environmental agreements - signed, but not ratified
Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation
Climate
varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid
Land use - agricultural land
35.8% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 5.1% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 30.5% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
50.6% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
13.5% (2023 est.)
Urbanization - urban population
71.2% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
1.87% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - total emissions
21.552 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from coal and metallurgical coke
24,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from petroleum and other liquids
13.647 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from consumed natural gas
7.881 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
24.6 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Methane emissions - energy
122.8 kt (2022-2024 est.)
Methane emissions - agriculture
673.4 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Methane emissions - waste
73.1 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Methane emissions - other
150.3 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling - municipal solid waste generated annually
2.219 million tons (2024 est.)
Waste and recycling - percent of municipal solid waste recycled
34.4% (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - municipal
252.91 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - industrial
32 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - agricultural
1.92 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total renewable water resources
574 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Space
Space agency/agencies
Bolivian Space Agency (la Agencia Boliviana Espacial, ABE; established 2010 as a national public company under Ministry of Public Works, Services and Housing) (2025)
Space program overview
has a small space program focused on acquiring and operating satellites; operates a telecommunications satellite and ground stations; has cooperated with China and India and member states of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (2025)
Key space-program milestones
2013 - first communications satellite (Túpac Katari, TKSAT-1) built and launched by China 2016 - began independently operating the TKSAT-1 satellite 2021 - signed protocols for establishment of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency