Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The new measures have succeeded,
however, in reframing Bolivia's social struc-
ture. Despite practically no escape from
poverty, there seems to be a spark of self-
awareness and hope that's never been more
evident among the nation's indigenous major-
ity. And indigenous people today, especially
highlands groups, are playing a significant role
in politics and policy. The role of women is
also slowly evolving, as they step out of their
traditional roles as mothers, wives and heads of
private households, emerging as busi-
nesspeople and community leaders.
»Population: 10 million
»People living on less than US$2 per day: 2.5 milli-
on
»People below national poverty line: 5.1 million
»GDP per person: US$4100
»Gini Inequality Index: 58.2 (8th most un- equal in
the world)
»Inflation: 6.9 %
»Literacy: 86.7%
»Fertility rate: 2.93
»Infant mortality rate: 4.094/1000 live births
Politics
Conflict is on the rise. There are around 1000 standing conflicts across the nation over
high food and energy prices, the use of natural resources, education, social inclusion, en-
vironmental degradation and more. People protest against poor working conditions, min-
ing operations that contaminate rivers, and roads that displace communities and affect
ecosystems. For example, a proposed Brazilian-financed road through the Amazon
brought about major national protests in 2012 and was later rejected by Morales. Protests
regularly shut down Bolivia's roads and are having a detrimental effect on the economy.
Violence stemming from the ever-evolving drug trade is also building throughout the re-
gion.
Moves to redistribute land and wealth have met with strong opposition from Bolivia's
resource-rich eastern region, where autonomy movements are ongoing. Despite this op-
position and growing discontent over what many perceive as weak rule of law and wide-
spread corruption, others still expect the numerous social entitlement programs sponsored
by the government and funded with the growing income from mining, agriculture and gas
exports to keep Morales' revolution moving forward.
Internationally, the Bolivian government is
engaged in a political two-step that tries to bal-
ance foreign investment with national interests.
At the heart of this is the desire to keep the
wealth from Bolivia's natural resources in
Bolivia.
Bolivia is the world's second or third biggest co-
caine producer - up to 290 tons of the white stuff
are produced here each year. Between 24,000 and
30,000 hectares of coca are cultivated nationally
(legal production is capped at 12,000 hectares).
