The EIU view

We expect the presidential election, scheduled for May 3rd, to be delayed owing to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. The disruption caused by the national quarantine measures, together with the fall in global oil prices, will push Bolivia into a technical recession in 2020. Political uncertainty will delay the implementation of policies, such as a partial shift away from the currency peg, which are needed to eliminate fiscal and external imbalances.

Data analysis:

Latest coverage:
Health minister arrested over corruption charges
Social unrest, which is already high, is likely to intensify in response to the scandal as the issue is incredibly delicate in the context of a public health crisis and a fragile healthcare system.

Natural-gas sector braces for impact
Natural-gas output will decrease substantially owing to weak energy demand, denting fiscal revenue as economic activity is stifled by coronavirus containment measures.

Anti-lockdown protests intensify
The government is likely to respond with a firm hand by deploying the military and police to quell unrest, which in turn is likely to fuel opposition to the government.

Overall assessment C 60 C 60
Security risk C 50 C 50
Political stability risk C 55 C 55
Government effectiveness risk D 72 D 72
Legal & regulatory risk D 73 D 73
Macroeconomic risk B 35 B 35
Foreign trade & payments risk C 54 C 54
Financial risk C 58 C 58
Tax policy risk D 69 D 69
Labour market risk D 64 D 64
Infrastructure risk D 68 D 68


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Land area

1.1m sq km


11.4m (2018; World Bank estimate)

Main towns

Population in '000 (2012 census)

Santa Cruz: 1,453

El Alto: 844

La Paz (administrative capital): 764

Cochabamba: 630

Oruro: 264

Sucre (constitutional capital): 260

Tarija: 205

Potosí: 189


Tropical below altitudes of around 1,500 metres, cool above altitudes of around 3,500 metres. Examples: Santa Cruz (altitude 416 metres), mean temperature 25.4°C, average annual rainfall 1,413 mm; Cochabamba (altitude 2,558 metres), mean temperature 15.7°C, average annual rainfall 483 mm; El Alto (altitude 4,103 metres), mean temperature 8.5°C, average annual rainfall 603 mm

Weather in La Paz (altitude 3,640 metres)

Mean temperature 11.2°C; average annual rainfall 512 mm; hottest month, November, 6-19°C (average daily minimum and maximum); coldest month, July, 1-17°C; driest month, June, 8 mm average monthly rainfall; wettest month, January, 140 mm average monthly rainfall


Spanish (spoken by 87% of population), Quechua (34%), Aymara (24%) and other minor indigenous languages


Metric system; also local units including: 1 libra = 1 lb or 450 g; 1 aroba = 25 lb or 11.4 kg; 1 quintal = 100 lb or 45.5 kg


Boliviano (Bs) = 100 centavos; exchange rate (average and year-end) in 2018: Bs6.91:US$1


4 hours behind GMT

Public holidays

January 1st (New Year's Day); January 22nd (Foundation of Bolivia Day); February 24th and 25th (Carnival); April 10th (Good Friday); May 1st(Labour Day); June 11th (Corpus Christi); June 21st (Aymara New Year); August 6th (Independence Day); November 2nd (All Saints' Day); December 25th (Christmas Day). Public holidays not fixed by the religious calendar, such as Labour Day, fall on the nearest Monday; some establishments close on days either side of public holidays; additional regional holidays and fiestas (festivals)