Editing Bolivia (section)

== Demographics ==
{{main|Demographics of Bolivia}}

[[File:Centro de La Paz en Bolivia.JPG|thumb|People in La Paz city center]]
According to the last two censuses carried out by the Bolivian National Statistics Institute ''(Instituto Nacional de Estadística'', INE), the population increased from 8,274,325 (from which 4,123,850 were men and 4,150,475 were women) in 2001 to 10,059,856 in 2012.<ref name="Cen2012">{{cite web | url=http://www.ine.gob.bo:8081/censo2012/PDF/resultadosCPV2012.pdf | title=Principales resultados del censo nacional de población y vivienda 2012 (CNPV 2012) – Estado plurinacional de Bolivia | publisher=Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE) | date=July 2013 | access-date=8 August 2013 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209134921/http://www.ine.gob.bo:8081/censo2012/PDF/resultadosCPV2012.pdf | archive-date=9 February 2014}}</ref>

In the last fifty years the Bolivian population has tripled, reaching a population growth rate of 2.25%. The growth of the population in the inter-census periods (1950–1976 and 1976–1992) was approximately 2.05%, while between the last period, 1992–2001, it reached 2.74% annually.

Some 67.49% of Bolivians live in urban areas, while the remaining 32.51% in rural areas. The most part of the population (70%) is concentrated in the departments of [[La Paz Department (Bolivia)|La Paz]], [[Santa Cruz Department (Bolivia)|Santa Cruz]] and [[Cochabamba Department|Cochabamba]]. In the [[Andes|Andean]] [[Altiplano]] region the departments of La Paz and [[Oruro Department|Oruro]] hold the largest percentage of population, in the valley region the largest percentage is held by the departments of Cochabamba and [[Chuquisaca Department|Chuquisaca]], while in the Llanos region by Santa Cruz and [[Beni Department|Beni]]. At national level, the population density is 8.49, with variations marked between 0.8 ([[Pando Department]]) and 26.2 (Cochabamba Department).

The largest population center is located in the so-called "central axis" and in the Llanos region. Bolivia has a young population. According to the 2011 census, 59% of the population is between 15 and 59 years old, 39% is less than 15 years old. Almost 60% of the population is younger than 25 years of age.

=== Ethnic groups ===
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Ethno-racial groups in Bolivia (2012 census)<ref name="Censo 2012 Bolivia">{{cite web |url=https://bolivia.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/Caracteristicas_de_Poblacion_2012.pdf#page=105 |title=Características de la Población – Censo 2012 |trans-title=Population Characteristics – 2012 Census |page=103 |access-date=30 April 2021 |publisher=Instituto Nacional de Estadística |language=es |archive-date=30 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430223857/https://bolivia.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/Caracteristicas_de_Poblacion_2012.pdf#page=105 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|label1 = No data
|value1 = 58.25
|color1 = White
|label2 = [[Indigenous peoples in Bolivia|Indigenous]]
|value2 = 41.52
|color2 = #d62728
|label3 = [[Afro-Bolivians|Blacks]]
|value3 = 0.23
|color3 = #2ca02c
}}

[[File:Macheteros.JPG|thumb|''Danza de los macheteros'', typical dance from [[San Ignacio de Moxos]], Bolivia]]
[[File:Hombres_del_Territorio_Indígena_Originario_Campesino_de_Raqaypampa.jpg|thumb|left|Men of the Original Indigenous Territory of Raqaypampa]]

The vast majority of Bolivians are [[mestizo]] (with the indigenous component higher than the European one{{citation needed|date=February 2025}}), although the government has not included the cultural self-identification "mestizo" in the November 2012 census.<ref>{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Bolivia|access-date=8 October 2018|year=2018}}</ref> There are approximately three dozen native groups totaling approximately half of the Bolivian population – the largest proportion of indigenous people in the Americas. A 2009 estimate of racial classification put mestizo (mixed White and Amerindian) at 68%, indigenous at 20%, white at 5%, [[cholo#Bolivia|cholo]] at 2%, black at 1%, other at 4%, while 2% were unspecified; 44% attributed themselves to some indigenous group, predominantly the linguistic categories of [[Quechuas]] or [[Aymara people|Aymaras]].<ref name="cia">{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Bolivia| access-date=25 March 2017 |year=2017}}</ref> [[White Latin Americans|White Bolivians]] comprised about 14% of the population in 2006, and are usually concentrated in the largest cities: [[La Paz]], [[Santa Cruz de la Sierra]] and [[Cochabamba]], but as well in some minor cities like [[Tarija]] and [[Sucre]]. The ancestry of whites and the white ancestry of mestizos lies within Europe and the Middle East, most notably Spain, Italy, Germany, Croatia, Lebanon and Syria. In the [[Santa Cruz Department, Bolivia|Santa Cruz Department]], there are several dozen colonies of German-speaking [[Russian Mennonite|Mennonites from Russia]] totaling around 40,000 inhabitants ({{As of|2012|lc=y}}).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/21/world/americas/21bolivia.html |title=Bolivian Reforms Raise Anxiety on Mennonite Frontier |newspaper=The New York Times|date=21 December 2006 |access-date=14 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622233205/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/21/world/americas/21bolivia.html |archive-date=22 June 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Afro-Bolivian]]s, descendants of [[Atlantic slave trade|African slaves]] who arrived in the time of the [[Spanish Empire]], inhabit the [[La Paz Department, Bolivia|department of La Paz]], and are located mainly in the provinces of [[Nor Yungas Province|Nor Yungas]] and [[Sud Yungas Province|Sud Yungas]]. Slavery was abolished in Bolivia in 1831.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Fogel|first1=Robert William|last2=Engerman|first2=Stanley L.|title=Time on the Cross: The Economics of American Negro Slavery|year=1995|publisher=W W Norton & Company Incorporated|isbn=978-0-393-31218-8|pages=[https://archive.org/details/timeoncross00robe/page/33 33–34] |url=https://archive.org/details/timeoncross00robe/page/33}}</ref> There are also important communities of [[Japanese Bolivians|Japanese]] (14,000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/area/bolivia/data.html|title=ボリビア多民族国（The Plurinational State of Bolivia）|website=外務省|access-date=8 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161215233037/http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/area/bolivia/data.html|archive-date=15 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>) and Lebanese (12,900<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theidentitychef.com/2009/09/06/lebanese-diaspora-worldwide-geographical-distribution/ |title=Geographical Distribution of the Lebanese Diaspora |work=The Identity Chef |access-date=8 January 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630102504/http://theidentitychef.com/2009/09/06/lebanese-diaspora-worldwide-geographical-distribution/ |archive-date=30 June 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>).

[[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Indigenous peoples]], also called ''"originarios"'' ("native" or "original") and less frequently, ''Amerindians'', could be categorized by geographic area, such as [[Andes|Andean]], like the [[Aymara people|Aymaras]] and [[Quechua people|Quechuas]] (who formed the ancient [[Inca Empire]]), who are concentrated in the western departments of [[La Paz Department, Bolivia|La Paz]], [[Potosí Department|Potosí]], [[Oruro Department|Oruro]], [[Cochabamba Department|Cochabamba]] and [[Chuquisaca Department|Chuquisaca]]. There also are ethnic populations in the east, composed of the [[Chiquitano]], [[Chané]], [[Guaraní people|Guaraní]] and [[Moxo people|Moxo]]s, among others, who inhabit the departments of [[Santa Cruz Department, Bolivia|Santa Cruz]], [[Beni Department|Beni]], [[Tarija Department|Tarija]] and [[Pando Department|Pando]].

There are small numbers of European citizens from Germany, France, Italy and Portugal, as well as from other countries of the Americas, as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, the United States, Paraguay, Peru, Mexico and Venezuela, among others. There are important Peruvian colonies in [[La Paz]], [[El Alto]] and [[Santa Cruz de la Sierra]].

There are around 140,000 [[Mennonites in Bolivia]] of [[Frisians|Frisian]], Flemish and German ethnic origins.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/language/pdt|title=Plautdietsch|access-date=20 May 2019|archive-date=2 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402192648/https://www.ethnologue.com/language/pdt|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Bolivia&oldid=103617|title=Bolivia|access-date=20 May 2019|archive-date=21 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021153847/https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Bolivia&oldid=103617|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Language ===
{{main|Languages of Bolivia}}
Bolivia has great linguistic diversity as a result of its [[multiculturalism]]. The [[Constitution of Bolivia]] recognizes 36 official languages besides Spanish: [[Aymara language|Aymara]], [[Araona language|Araona]], [[Baure language|Baure]], [[Bésiro language|Bésiro]], [[Canichana language|Canichana]], [[Cavineño language|Cavineño]], [[Cayubaba language|Cayubaba]], [[Chácobo language|Chácobo]], [[Chimán language|Chimán]], [[Ese Ejja language|Ese Ejja]], [[Guaraní language|Guaraní]], [[Guarasuawe language|Guarasu'we]], [[Guarayu language|Guarayu]], [[Itonama language|Itonama]], [[Leco language|Leco]], [[Machajuyai-Kallawaya]], [[Machineri language|Machineri]], [[Maropa language|Maropa]], [[Mojeño-Ignaciano]], [[Mojeño-Trinitario]], [[Moré language (Bolivia)|Moré]], [[Mosetén language|Mosetén]], [[Movima language|Movima]], [[Pacawara language|Pacawara]], [[Puquina language|Puquina]], [[Quechua language|Quechua]], [[Sirionó language|Sirionó]], [[Tacana language|Tacana]], [[Tapieté language|Tapieté]], [[Toromona language|Toromona]], [[Uru-Chipaya]], [[Weenhayek language|Weenhayek]], [[Yaminawa language|Yaminawa]], [[Yuki language (Bolivia)|Yuki]], [[Yuracaré language|Yuracaré]], and [[Zamuco language|Zamuco]].<ref name="languages">{{cite web|url=http://bolivia.justia.com/nacionales/nueva-constitucion-politica-del-estado/primera-parte/titulo-i/capitulo-primero/|title=Nueva Constitución Política Del Estado > PRIMERA PARTE > TÍTULO I > CAPÍTULO PRIMERO > Modelo De Estado: Ley de Bolivia |language=es-ES |website=JUSTIA Bolivia |access-date=24 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225051614/http://bolivia.justia.com/nacionales/nueva-constitucion-politica-del-estado/primera-parte/titulo-i/capitulo-primero/|archive-date=25 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Spanish is the most spoken official language in the country, according to the 2001 census; as it is spoken by two-thirds of the population. All legal and official documents issued by the State, including the Constitution, the main private and public institutions, the media, and commercial activities, are in Spanish.

The main indigenous languages are: [[Quechua language|Quechua]] (21.2% of the population in the 2001 census), [[Aymara language|Aymara]] (14.6%), [[Guarani language|Guarani]] (0.6%) and others (0.4%) including the [[Moxos language|Moxos]] in the department of Beni.<ref name="cia"/>

[[Plautdietsch]], a [[German dialects|German dialect]], is spoken by about 70,000 [[Mennonites in Bolivia|Mennonite]]s in [[Santa Cruz Department (Bolivia)|Santa Cruz]]. Portuguese is spoken mainly in the areas close to Brazil.

=== Religion ===
{{Main|Religion in Bolivia}}
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in Bolivia (2014)<ref name="Religion in Latin America">{{cite web|title=Religion in Latin America, Widespread Change in a Historically Catholic Region|date=13 November 2014|url=http://www.pewforum.org/2014/11/13/religion-in-latin-america/|publisher=[[Pew Research Center]]|access-date=4 March 2015|archive-date=30 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330015000/https://www.pewforum.org/2014/11/13/religion-in-latin-america/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|label1 = [[Catholicism]]
|value1 = 77
|color1 = Purple 
|label2 = [[Protestantism]]
|value2 = 16
|color2 = Blue
|label3 = Other
|value3 = 3
|color3 = grey
|label4 = [[Irreligion|No religion]]
|value4 = 4
|color4 = White
}}
[[File:Basilica de San Francisco La Paz.jpg|thumb|200x200px|[[Basilica of San Francisco, La Paz|Basilica of San Francisco]] in La Paz]]
Bolivia is a constitutionally [[secular state]] that guarantees the [[freedom of religion]] and the independence of government from religion.{{sfn|Constitute Assembly of Bolivia|2007|p=2}}

According to the 2001 census conducted by the [[National Institute of Statistics of Bolivia]], 78% of the population is [[Catholicism|Roman Catholic]], followed by 19% that are [[Protestant]], as well as a small number of Bolivians that are [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox]], and 3% non-religious.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90243.htm | title= Bolivia religion | publisher= Department of State | location= US | date= 14 September 2007 | access-date= 30 August 2010 | archive-date= 8 March 2020 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200308123543/https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90243.htm | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://institutointerglobal.org/ateismo/1545-ateos-en-numeros|title=Ateos en números|publisher=InterGlobal|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205041006/http://institutointerglobal.org/ateismo/1545-ateos-en-numeros|archive-date=5 December 2014}}</ref>

The [[Association of Religion Data Archives]] (relying on the World Christian Database) records that in 2010, 92.5% of Bolivians identified as Christian (of any denomination), 3.1% identified with indigenous religion, 2.2% identified as [[Baháʼí Faith|Baháʼí]], 1.9% identified as agnostic, and all other groups constituted 0.1% or less.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bolivia: Adherents|url=http://www.thearda.com/internationalData/countries/Country_27_2.asp|website=The Association of Religious Data Archives|access-date=5 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015204554/http://www.thearda.com/internationalData/countries/Country_27_2.asp|archive-date=15 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

Much of the indigenous population adheres to different traditional beliefs marked by [[inculturation]] or [[Syncretic|syncretism]] with Christianity. The cult of [[Pachamama]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.catamarcaguia.com.ar/Cultura/Pachamama.php |title=Pachamama y los Dioses Incaicos |publisher=Catamarcaguia.com.ar |access-date=14 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117013359/http://www.catamarcaguia.com.ar/Cultura/Pachamama.php |archive-date=17 January 2013}}</ref> or "Mother Earth", is notable. The veneration of the [[Virgen de Copacabana|Virgin of Copacabana]], Virgin of Urkupiña and Virgin of Socavón, is also an important feature of [[Christian pilgrimage]]. There also are important [[Aymara people|Aymaran communities]] near [[Lake Titicaca]] that have a strong devotion to [[James, son of Zebedee|James the Apostle]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bolivia.com/Noticias/AutoNoticias/DetalleNoticia32134.asp|publisher=Bolivia.com|title=El Tata Santiago, un santo en Guaqui con vena de general|access-date=7 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206130141/http://www.bolivia.com/Noticias/AutoNoticias/DetalleNoticia32134.asp|archive-date=6 February 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Deities worshiped in Bolivia include [[Ekeko]], the Aymaran god of abundance and prosperity, whose day is celebrated every 24 January, and [[Guarani mythology|Tupá]], a god of the [[Guaraní people]].

=== Largest cities and towns ===

{{See also|List of cities and largest towns in Bolivia}}

Approximately 67% of Bolivians live in urban areas,<ref name="factbook">{{cite web|title=Country Comparison :: Life Expectancy at Birth|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2102rank.html?countryname=Bolivia&countrycode=bl&regionCode=soa&rank=161#bl|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221172631/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2102rank.html?countryname=Bolivia&countrycode=bl&regionCode=soa&rank=161#bl|archive-date=21 February 2014|access-date=11 February 2014|work=[[The World Factbook]]|publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]]}}</ref> among the lowest proportion in South America. Nevertheless, the rate of urbanization is growing steadily, at around 2.5% annually. According to the 2012 census, there are total of 3,158,691 households in Bolivia – an increase of 887,960 from 2001.<ref name="Cen2012" /> In 2009, 75.4% of homes were classified as a house, hut, or Pahuichi; 3.3% were apartments; 21.1% were rental residences; and 0.1% were [[mobile home]]s.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ine.gob.bo/indicadoresddhh/vivi4.asp | title=Bolivia: Hogares por Tipo y Tenencia de la Vivienda, Según Área Geográfica, 2000 – 2009 |trans-title=Bolivia: Households by Type and Tenure, According to Geographic Area, 2000 – 2009 | publisher=[[National Institute of Statistics of Bolivia]] | access-date=28 January 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113183010/http://www.ine.gob.bo/indicadoresddhh/vivi4.asp | archive-date=13 November 2013}}</ref> Most of the country's largest cities are located in the highlands of the west and central regions.

{{Largest cities of Bolivia}}<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120607143527/http://esa.un.org/unpd/wup/CD-ROM/Urban-Rural-Population.htm World Urbanization Prospects, the 2011 Revision]. United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs</ref>