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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 Guarani . The majority of white Bolivians are of Spanish descent, but there are small German, Basque, Croats, Asian , 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/km (25/mi) in the central highlands. As of 2006, population is increasing 1.45% per year. 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 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.
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.
Demographic data from the CIA World Factbook
Population
8,989,046 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 35%
15-64 years: 60.4%
65 years and over: 4.6% (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 0.2%.
Languages
The official languages of Bolivia are Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, and Guarani.
Literacy
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 87.2%
Male: 93.1%
Female: 81.6% (2003 est.)
References
[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bl.html]
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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Demographics of Bolivia
