This article is about the demographic features of the population of Bolivia, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.

Bolivia's ethnic distribution is estimated to be 55%-70% indigenous people, 30%-42% Mestizo and 10-15% Caucasian. The largest of the approximately three dozen indigenous Amerindian groups are the Aymaras, Quechuas, and Guaraní (Chiriguanos, Guarayos). The majority of white Bolivians are of Spanish descent, including Basque origin, but there are small German, 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.

Miners at work in Potosí

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 (primarily the UK and Spain) and North America (esp. tens of thousands went to Mexico and the United States) 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, 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.

[edit] CIA World Factbook demographic statistics

Population pyramid

The following demographic statistics are from the CIA World Factbook, unless otherwise indicated.

[edit] Population

8,989,045 (July 2006 est.)

[edit] Age structure

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.)

[edit] Median age

Current president Evo Morales

Festival time in Sucre

Total: 21.8 years

Male: 21.2 years

Female: 22.5 years (2006 est.)

[edit] Population growth rate

1.45% (2006 est.)

[edit] Birth rate

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

[edit] Death rate

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

[edit] Net migration rate

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

[edit] Sex ratio

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.)

[edit] Infant mortality rate

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.]

[edit] Life expectancy at birth

Total population: 65.84 years

Male: 63.21 years

Female: 68.61 years (2006 est.)

[edit] Total fertility rate

2.85 children born/woman (2006 est.)

[edit] HIV/AIDS

Adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2003 est.)

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

Deaths: less than 500 (2003 est.)

[edit] Nationality

Noun: Bolivian(s)

Adjective: Bolivian

Indigenous peoples of Bolivia

[edit] Ethnic groups

Amerindian 55% (Quechua 30% & Aymara 25%) , mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white ancestry) 30%, white 15%, other race 1% of African and Asian racial origins.

[edit] Religions

Roman Catholic 78%, Protestant 16%, other Christian 3%, non-religious 2.5%, other (Islam, the Baha'i Faith, Judaism, Buddhism, Shinto etc.) 0.2%.

[edit] Languages

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

[edit] Literacy

Definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Total population: 87.2%

Male: 93.1%

Female: 81.6% (2003 est.)

[edit] See also

• Health in Bolivia

[edit] References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the CIA World Factbook document "2006 edition". [2]

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Background Note: Bolivia". United States Department of State. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35751.htm. Retrieved 2006-10-16. 

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