Demographics of Bolivia
Bolivia's ethnic distribution is estimated to be 56%-70% indigenous people and 30%-42% Mestizo. 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, 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.
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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]
Demographic data from the CIA World Factbook
Population
- 8,989,045 (July 2006 est.)
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.)
Median age
- Total: 21.8 years
- Male: 21.2 years
- Female: 22.5 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate
- 1.45% (2006 est.)
Birth rate
- 23.3 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate
- 7.53 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate
- -1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
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.)
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.)
Life expectancy at birth
- Total population: 65.84 years
- Male: 63.21 years
- Female: 68.61 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate
- 2.85 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS
- Adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2003 est.)
- People living with HIV/AIDS: 4,900 (2003 est.)
- Deaths: less than 500 (2003 est.)
Nationality
- Noun: Bolivian(s)
- Adjective: Bolivian
Ethnic groups
- Amerindian 55% (Quechua 30% & Aymara 25%) , mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white ancestry) 30%, white 15% (although has some degree of Amerindian ancestry), other race 1% of African and Asian racial origins.
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%.
Languages
The official languages of Bolivia are Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, and Guaraní.
Literacy
- Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
- Total population: 87.2%
- Male: 93.1%
- Female: 81.6% (2003 est.)
References
- ^ a b c "Background Note: Bolivia". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2006-10-16.