Bolivia, Plurinational State of Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Bolivia, Plurinational State of's unemployment rate was 2.97% in 2025, ranked 38th globally. This represents a 40.7% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Bolivia, Plurinational State of's unemployment rate stood at 2.97% in 2025, a decline of +2.03pp from 2024. The IMF projects 5.05% by 2025. Bolivia, Plurinational State of ranked 38th globally.
Bolivia's unemployment rate has exhibited a generally favorable trend, with a notable exception in 2020 when it reached an all-time high of 7.90%, a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic's economic disruption. Prior to this peak, the unemployment rate had been steadily decreasing since 2014, when it hit its all-time low of 2.02%. The country's unemployment rate has remained relatively stable in recent years, with a current rate of 2.97% in 2025, ranking 38th globally. This stability is comparable to that of peer countries such as Malta, which has an unemployment rate of 2.90%. The unemployment rate has fluctuated little over the past 35 years, with a slight increase in 2020 marking a significant exception. A sustained economic recovery and continued investment in human capital could potentially alter the trajectory of Bolivia's unemployment rate, potentially leading to a further decline in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* IMF | 5.05% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.97% | −2.03pp | #38 |
| 2024 | 3.27% | −1.63pp | #50 |
| 2023 | 3.02% | −1.72pp | #43 |
| 2022 | 3.55% | −3.39pp | #51 |
| 2021 | 5.09% | −3.25pp | #74 |
| 2020 | 7.90% | +2.89pp | #119 |
| 2019 | 3.68% | −1.23pp | #57 |
| 2018 | 3.52% | −1.57pp | #48 |
| 2017 | 3.66% | −1.03pp | #48 |
| 2016 | 3.50% | −1.06pp | #42 |
| 2015 | 3.11% | −0.89pp | #34 |
| 2014 | 2.02% | −1.98pp | #20 |
| 2013 | 2.44% | −0.79pp | #23 |
| 2012 | 2.07% | −1.77pp | #17 |
| 2011 | 2.26% | −2.12pp | #18 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Bolivia, Plurinational State of matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2012. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Bolivia, Plurinational State of's unemployment rate was 2.97% in 2025. Ranked 38th globally. This represents a 40.7% decrease from the previous year.
Bolivia, Plurinational State of's unemployment rate peaked at 7.90% in 2020.
The lowest unemployment rate in Bolivia, Plurinational State of was 2.02% in 2014.
Bolivia, Plurinational State of ranks 38th globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Bolivia, Plurinational State of's unemployment rate is projected to reach 5.05% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The unemployment rate of Bolivia, Plurinational State of in 2025 was 2.97%. This ranks 38th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_bolivia-plurinational-state-of_unemployment-rate,
title = {Bolivia, Plurinational State of Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/bolivia-plurinational-state-of/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}