Bolivia: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Bolivia?

Urban unemployment in Bolivia was 2.8% in August 2026, a preliminary figure, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE). The IMF projects an average of 4.5% for 2026, up from 3.3% in 2025.

INE measures employment through its continuous employment survey and publishes monthly urban indicators, including a seasonally adjusted series, as well as rural and national figures. The unemployment rate counts people without work who are looking for it; a large share of Bolivian workers are in informal jobs, which INE also measures.

Official sources: INE · IMF DataMapper: Unemployment rate, Bolivia

What is Bolivia's minimum wage?

2,500 BOB a month (about $362): that is the statutory minimum wage in Bolivia for 2024, according to the ILO. That is the highest since at least 2012.

How much do workers in Bolivia earn on average?

According to the ILO, average monthly earnings of employees in Bolivia was $462 a month in 2025. Since 2012 it has ranged from $335 a month (2012) to $483 a month (2020). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was $523 a month, and Bolivia placed 12th highest of 14. Worldwide: 48th of 57.

What is the unemployment rate in Bolivia?

The ILO puts the unemployment rate in Bolivia at 3.0% in 2025. The peak was 7.9% in 2020 and the low 2.0% in 2014. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 6.0%, and Bolivia placed 26th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 139th highest.

What is the youth unemployment rate in Bolivia?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 5.0%. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 15.2%; its low point was 2012, at 3.4%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 14.0%; Bolivia is 27th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 149th of 174.

What share of people in Bolivia are in the labour force?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 78.6%. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 63.4%, and Bolivia placed 1st highest of 29. Worldwide: 11th of 174.

What share of women in Bolivia are in the labour force?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate for women in Bolivia was 72.9%, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 52.5%, and Bolivia placed 1st highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 11th highest.

What share of adults in Bolivia have a job?

In 2025, the employment to population ratio in Bolivia was 76.3%, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 1st highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 59.4%. Worldwide: 12th of 174.

What is vulnerable employment in Bolivia?

In 2025, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Bolivia was 62.7%, according to the ILO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 29.8%, and Bolivia placed 2nd highest of 29. Worldwide: 38th of 174.

How many people in Bolivia are employees?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are paid employees in Bolivia at 33.7% in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 64.8%, and Bolivia placed 28th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 137th highest.