Demographics of Bolivia

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Bolivia's ethnic distribution is estimated to be 56%-70% indigenous people and 30%-42% European and mixed. The largest of the approximately three dozen indigenous groups are the Aymaras, Quechuas, and Guaraní (Chiriguanos, Guarayos). The majority of white Bolivians are of Spanish descent, but there are small German, Basque, Croats, Asian (notably Japanese Okinawans relocated there after expropriation of farmland by the U.S. military after WWII [1]), Middle Eastern, and other minorities (Afro-Bolivian), many of whose members descend from families that have lived in Bolivia for several generations.

Bolivia is one of the least-developed countries in South America. About two-thirds of its people, many of whom are subsistence farmers, live in poverty. Population density ranges from less than one person per square kilometer in the southeastern plains to about 10/km² (25/mi²) in the central highlands. As of 2006, population is increasing 1.45% per year.^[1] Increasing numbers of Bolivians migrated to highly prosperous Brazil , Chile and Argentina, and even to developed countries in Europe and North America (esp. tens of thousands went to Mexico and the US) in search of economic opportunities.

La Paz is at the highest elevation of the world's capital cities—3,600 meters (11,800 ft) above sea level. The adjacent city of El Alto, at 4,200 meters above sea level, is one of the fastest-growing in the hemisphere. Santa Cruz, the commercial and industrial hub of the eastern lowlands, also is experiencing rapid population and economic growth.^[1]

The great majority of Bolivians are Roman Catholic (the official religion), although Protestant denominations are expanding strongly. Many indigenous communities interweave pre-Columbian (pre-Hispanic) and Catholic Christian symbols in their religious practices. About half of the people speak Spanish as their first language. Approximately 90% of the children attend primary school but often for a year or less. The literacy rate is low in many rural areas.^[1]

Demographics of Bolivia, Data of FAO, year 2005 ; Number of inhabitants in thousands.

1 Demographic data from the CIA World Factbook
2 References

Population pyramid

8,989,046 (July 2006 est.)

0-14 years: 35% (male 1,603,982/female 1,542,319)

15-64 years: 60.4% (male 2,660,806/female 2,771,807)

65 years and over: 4.6% (male 182,412/female 227,720) (2006 est.)

Total: 21.8 years

Male: 21.2 years

Female: 22.5 years (2006 est.)

1.45% (2006 est.)

23.3 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

7.53 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

-1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

Under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female

Total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

Total: 51.77 deaths/1,000 live births

Male: 55.31 deaths/1,000 live births

Female: 48.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

Total population: 65.84 years

Male: 63.21 years

Female: 68.61 years (2006 est.)

2.85 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2003 est.)

People living with HIV/AIDS: 4,900 (2003 est.)

Deaths: less than 500 (2003 est.)

Noun: Bolivian(s)

Adjective: Bolivian

Quechua 30%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry) 30%, Aymara 25%, white 15%, although has some degree of Amerindian ancestry, other race 1% of African and Asian racial origins.

Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant (Evangelical Methodist) 5%, other (Jewish, Mormon, indigenous, agnostic, etc.) 1%.

The official languages of Bolivia are Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, and Guaraní.

Definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Total population: 87.2%

Male: 93.1%

Female: 81.6% (2003 est.)

This article contains material from the CIA World Factbook (2006 edition) which, as a US government publication, is in the public domain.[2]