Bolivia |
Quick facts
- Bolivia is the poorest country in South America. Less than half of Bolivia’s population are in paid jobs and around 37% are in extreme poverty (1997-2001)
- Approaching two-thirds of Bolivian people are indigenous people of South America. Some are subjected to slavery and the worst forms of child labour
- In the 1500s. Bolivia contained ‘the richest city on earth’ containing the largest silver mine. Today Bolivia has large supplies of oil and gas and is the second biggest producer of natural gas in South America
- Bolivia is named after independence fighter Simon Bolivar, it broke away from Spanish rule in 1825. Since then there have been nearly 200 coups and countercoups until democracy was established in 1982
- The government of President, Evo Morales (who took office in January 2006) is acting to make sure more of the profits from oil and gas stays in Bolivia. This money is to be used to reduce poverty, improve education and help rural areas
- The mining industry and clearances of rainforests are two large man-made threats to the environment causing farmland to turn into desert in Bolivia
- In March 2006, the World Bank agreed to cancel the debt of some of the world’s poorest countries, including Bolivia’s. Progress is being made towards the MDGs but there is a long way to go
Some Comparative Facts with UK
| Bolivia |
UK | |
| Population |
9 million
|
60 million |
| Life expectancy |
65 years |
79 years |
| Adult Literacy |
86% |
99% |
HDI ranking (out of 177) |
113
|
17 |
Rural children collecting school refreshment; Zoe Hopkins
