Bolivia: housing

How many people in Bolivia have clean water and sanitation?

93.4% of people in Bolivia used at least a basic drinking water service in 2024, and 71.6% used at least basic sanitation, according to the World Bank, from the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme.

A basic water service is an improved source within a 30-minute round trip; basic sanitation is an improved toilet not shared with other households. The 2024 census, run by the National Institute of Statistics, collected data on every dwelling's water, sanitation and building materials.

Official sources: World Bank: Basic drinking water services, Bolivia · World Bank: Basic sanitation services, Bolivia

How many people in Bolivia live in informal settlements?

46.6% of Bolivia's urban population lived in slum conditions in 2022, according to UN-Habitat data published by the World Bank.

UN-Habitat counts a household as living in a slum if it lacks at least one of improved water, improved sanitation, enough living space, durable housing or secure tenure. Bolivia has no official house price index; the National Institute of Statistics publishes a construction cost index, and the Financial System Supervisory Authority (ASFI) publishes interest rates on housing loans.

Official sources: World Bank: Population living in slums, Bolivia

How many people in Bolivia live in cities?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2025, is 71.6%. No year since 2005 has been higher. Latin America & Caribbean median: 66.2%; Bolivia is 15th highest of 33. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 67th highest.

How many people in Bolivia live in slums?

The latest figure from UN-Habitat, for 2022, is 46.6%. That is the lowest since at least 2006. It is 3rd highest of 26 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 14.7%. Of 170 countries with 2022 data, 42nd highest.

What share of people in Bolivia have electricity?

According to the World Bank, the share of people with access to electricity in Bolivia was 96.6% in 2024. The peak was 99.9% in 2022 and the low 68.3% in 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 99.5%; Bolivia is 25th highest of 33. Worldwide: 124th of 193.

What is access to clean cooking in Bolivia?

91.0%: that is the share of people using clean cooking fuels in Bolivia for 2024, according to the WHO. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 95.0%, and Bolivia placed 25th highest of 33. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 102nd highest.