The Economy of Bolivia
Bolivia at a Glance
Bolivia is a landlocked Andean country rich in gas, minerals and lithium, with a large indigenous population and a history of boom, bust and political change.
Bolivia has about 12 million people, high-altitude cities like La Paz and El Alto, and vast lowland farmland and forests.
Resources
Natural gas, zinc, silver, tin, gold and some of the world’s largest lithium deposits.
Economy
Among the poorer countries in South America, with a large informal economy.
History
Mining and gas booms shaped politics and inequality.
A high city
El Alto, above La Paz, is a bustling trade and informal work centre.
Assuming Bolivia has always been poor
It has had cycles of wealth and hardship.
Key takeaways
- Bolivia is landlocked and resource-rich.
- It has large lithium deposits.
- The informal economy is large.
- Booms and busts shaped it.
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