Photo: Martin St-Amant ( S23678 ); derivative work (noise reduction to sky) by Julia W · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 14 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Bolivia: Poverty & Inequality
How is a country’s income shared, and how many live below a line?
Bolivia is placed 92nd of 159 countries on poverty & inequality in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Gini Index 42.05 (2023); Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day 0.76 (2023).
Share
Poverty & Inequality
92nd
of 159 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Bolivia on poverty & inequality — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 3
Gini Index
World Bank Group
Latest reading per country, 2013–2023 · Bolivia’s is from 2023 · CC BY 4.0
42.05
Gini index (0 = perfect equality, 100 = perfect inequality)
Lower is better
Bolivia: 42.05. Across the 159 countries at their latest reading, values run from 23 (India) to 59.07 (Namibia); the world median is 33.72.
- World median
- 33.72
- Best in South America
- 39.18 Suriname
- Land neighbours
- Argentina 42.39 · Brazil 51.49 · Chile 43.24 · Peru 40.66 · Paraguay 44.18
Key 2 of 3
Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day
World Bank Group
Latest reading per country, 2013–2023 · Bolivia’s is from 2023 · CC BY 4.0
0.76
Poverty gap at $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%)
Lower is better
Bolivia: 0.76. Across the 159 countries at their latest reading, values run from 0 (Czechia) to 48.69 (DR Congo); the world median is 0.345.
- World median
- 0.345
- Best in South America
- 0.06 Uruguay
- Land neighbours
- Argentina 0.35 · Brazil 1.34 · Chile 0.38 · Peru 1.74 · Paraguay 0.62
Key 3 of 3
Share of Population Unable to Afford a Healthy Diet
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
10.5
Share of the population unable to afford a healthy diet (%)
Lower is better
Bolivia: 10.5. Across the 145 countries in this edition, values run from 0.6 (Belarus) to 93.9 (South Sudan); the world median is 26.4.
- World median
- 26.4
- Best in South America
- 9.3 Guyana
- Land neighbours
- Brazil 21.1 · Chile 36.8 · Peru 34.8 · Paraguay 22.3
02Over time
Which way Bolivia is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Gini Index
Gini index (0 = perfect equality, 100 = perfect inequality) · lower is better
BoliviaWorld median
Bolivia fell from 59.27 in 2002 to 42.05 in 2023; the world median went from 37.14 to 33.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Bolivia World median 2023 42.1 33.72 2022 41.2 33.91 2021 40.9 34.04 2020 43.6 34.18 2019 41.6 33.51 2018 42.6 35.25 2017 44.6 34.86 2016 45.2 34.47 2015 46.7 35.52 2014 47.8 34.79 2013 47.6 36.16 2012 46.6 35.40 2011 46.1 33.96 2010 — 33.71 2009 49.2 34.91 2008 50.8 34.60 2007 54.5 34.26 2006 56.7 35.63 2005 58.5 36.28 2004 55.0 34.29 2003 — 35.46 2002 59.3 37.14 Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day
Poverty gap at $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%) · lower is better
BoliviaWorld median
Bolivia fell from 12.94 in 2002 to 0.76 in 2023; the world median went from 3.01 to 0.345.
Every year’s figures
Year Bolivia World median 2023 0.76 0.345 2022 1.18 0.420 2021 0.95 0.335 2020 1.39 0.280 2019 0.96 0.380 2018 1.83 0.460 2017 2.77 0.300 2016 3.29 0.440 2015 2.69 0.500 2014 2.45 0.635 2013 3.00 0.515 2012 3.82 0.640 2011 2.93 0.430 2010 — 0.530 2009 4.83 0.600 2008 4.84 0.350 2007 5.76 0.360 2006 7.76 0.465 2005 9.62 1.250 2004 5.75 0.790 2003 — 1.650 2002 12.94 3.010 Share of Population Unable to Afford a Healthy Diet
Share of the population unable to afford a healthy diet (%) · lower is better
BoliviaWorld median
Bolivia fell from 14.4 in 2017 to 10.5 in 2025; the world median went from 32.4 to 26.4.
Every year’s figures
Year Bolivia World median 2025 10.5 26.40 2024 9.5 27.10 2023 9.0 27.15 2022 9.6 27.90 2021 8.9 29.65 2020 10.8 31.80 2019 9.7 29.05 2018 13.0 29.85 2017 14.4 32.40
03In context
Bolivia beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 159 countries on poverty & inequality, never a place within the region.
Bolivia and the countries it borders
Standing among all 159; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Gini IndexGini index (0 = perfect equality, 100 = perfect inequality) | Poverty Gap at $3.00 a DayPoverty gap at $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%) | Share of Population Unable to Afford a Healthy DietShare of the population unable to afford a healthy diet (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolivia | 92nd | 42.05 | 0.76 | 10.5 |
 Argentina | 100th | 42.39 | 0.35 | — |
 Chile | 101st | 43.24 | 0.38 | 36.8 |
 Paraguay | 103rd | 44.18 | 0.62 | 22.3 |
 Peru | 109th | 40.66 | 1.74 | 34.8 |
 Brazil | 113th | 51.49 | 1.34 | 21.1 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across South America
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 159.
Placed either side on poverty & inequality
The countries immediately above and below Bolivia in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Bolivia is ahead of the world, and behind
30 more statistics filed under poverty & inequality, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median7
Statistics on which Bolivia does better than the middle country measured.
Income Growth of the Poorest 40%World Bank Group · 2024 · world median 1.8414.4191.841▼ Worsened since 2014
Bolivia: 4.419 · world median 1.841 · Annualized growth in real income or consumption per person of the bottom 40% (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -4.185 to 14.51; higher is better.
Severe Child Food Poverty, Children Aged 6–23 MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 21.268.84721.26No earlier reading
Bolivia: 8.847 · world median 21.26 · Children aged 6-23 months fed from at most 2 of 8 food groups (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.169 to 63.08; lower is better.
Position 91st of 113 · derived, 1st = worst.
Exclusion by Socio-Economic GroupV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2023 · world median 0.4130.2290.413▼ Worsened since 2013
Bolivia: 0.229 · world median 0.413 · Exclusion by socio-economic group index (0–1; higher = more exclusion). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.014 to 0.969; lower is better.
Position 118th of 174 · derived, 1st = worst.
Gini Index of Monthly EarningsILO · 2024 · world median 0.3370.3160.337▲ Improved since 2014
Bolivia: 0.316 · world median 0.337 · Gini index of employees’ monthly earnings (0 = all paid the same, 1 = maximum inequality). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.182 to 0.643; lower is better.
Position 49th of 75 · derived, 1st = worst.
Global Multidimensional Poverty IndexOPHI · 2025 · world median 0.0390.0230.039▲ Improved since 2018
Bolivia: 0.023 · world median 0.039 · MPI (0–1). Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 0.517; lower is better.
Position 66th of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.8852.7524.885No real change since 2015
Bolivia: 2.752 · world median 4.885 · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.007 to 86.02; lower is better.
Poverty Headcount at $3.00 a Day, Line-up EstimatesWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 2.12.052.1▲ Improved since 2014
Bolivia: 2.05 · world median 2.1 · Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP, World Bank line-up estimate (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 89.54; lower is better.
Behind the world median20
Statistics on which Bolivia does worse than the middle country measured.
Multidimensional Poverty MeasureWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 4.2524.2614.252No earlier reading
Bolivia: 4.261 · world median 4.252 · Multidimensional poverty headcount ratio (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 87.96; lower is better.
Position 79th of 157 · derived, 1st = worst.
Low Pay RateILO · 2024 · world median 17.8919.117.89▲ Improved since 2021
Bolivia: 19.1 · world median 17.89 · Employees paid less than two-thirds of the median hourly earnings (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.395 to 41.69; lower is better.
Position 33rd of 71 · derived, 1st = worst.
Coefficient of Variation of Habitual Caloric ConsumptionFAO · 2024 · world median 0.250.260.25▼ Worsened since 2014
Bolivia: 0.26 · world median 0.25 · Coefficient of variation of habitual calorie consumption across the population (standard deviation ÷ mean). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.17 to 0.4; lower is better.
Median Daily Income or Consumption per PersonWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 22.7616.8522.76No real change since 2013
Bolivia: 16.85 · world median 22.76 · Median income or consumption per person, 2021 PPP dollars a day. World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.803 to 89.49; higher is better.
Position 35th of 60 · derived.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 7.8216.537.82▲ Improved since 2013
Bolivia: 16.53 · world median 7.82 · Population below $8.30 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 93.58; lower is better.
Position 26th of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Prosperity GapWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 1.7542.361.754▲ Improved since 2013
Bolivia: 2.36 · world median 1.754 · Average factor incomes must rise by to reach $28 a day. World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.406 to 12.06; lower is better.
Position 26th of 60 · derived, 1st = worst.
Inequality-adjusted Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6090.5780.609No real change since 2013
Bolivia: 0.578 · world median 0.609 · IHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.226 to 0.923; higher is better.
Position 99th of 169 · derived.
Coefficient of Human InequalityUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 17.0520.9817.05▲ Improved since 2013
Bolivia: 20.98 · world median 17.05 · Coefficient of Human Inequality (%). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 4.865 to 43.08; lower is better.
Position 68th of 169 · derived, 1st = worst.
Prevalence of Moderate or Severe Food InsecurityFAO · 2024 · world median 20.929.620.9▼ Worsened since 2021
Bolivia: 29.6 · world median 20.9 · Population in moderate or severe food insecurity (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 88.8; lower is better.
Position 54th of 135 · derived, 1st = worst.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 1.345.111.34▲ Improved since 2013
Bolivia: 5.11 · world median 1.34 · Population below $4.20 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 72.3; lower is better.
Position 23rd of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 0.1850.290.185▲ Improved since 2013
Bolivia: 0.29 · world median 0.185 · Squared poverty gap at $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (0–100). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 9.74; lower is better.
Actual Individual Consumption per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 12,8007,61912,800▼ Worsened since 2017
Bolivia: 7,619 · world median 12,800 · Actual individual consumption per capita (PPP, current international $). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 688.7 to 52,654; higher is better.
Position 115th of 173 · derived.
Societal Poverty RateWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 17.222.717.2▲ Improved since 2013
Bolivia: 22.7 · world median 17.2 · Population below the societal poverty line, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 7 to 54.36; lower is better.
Position 19th of 60 · derived, 1st = worst.
Gini Index of Disposable Income (SWIID)Frederick Solt, University of Iowa · 2023 · world median 333933No real change since 2013
Bolivia: 39 · world median 33 · Gini index of disposable household income (0–100), SWIID estimate. Frederick Solt, University of Iowa, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 22.3 to 51.2; lower is better.
Position 21st of 79 · derived, 1st = worst.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 0.932.820.93▲ Improved since 2013
Bolivia: 2.82 · world median 0.93 · Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 54.36; lower is better.
Position 16th of 58 · derived, 1st = worst.
Adequacy of Social Protection and Labour BenefitsWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 18.659.43118.65No earlier reading
Bolivia: 9.431 · world median 18.65 · Benefits received as a share of beneficiaries' total income or consumption (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.455 to 90.86; higher is better.
Income Share Held by Richest 10%World Bank Group · 2023 · world median 26.1831.2826.18▲ Improved since 2013
Bolivia: 31.28 · world median 26.18 · Share of national income or consumption held by the richest tenth (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 18.79 to 43.08; lower is better.
Position 12th of 60 · derived, 1st = worst.
Income Share Held by Lowest 20%World Bank Group · 2023 · world median 7.125.187.12▲ Improved since 2013
Bolivia: 5.18 · world median 7.12 · Share of national income held by the poorest fifth (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.24 to 11.07; higher is better.
Position 50th of 60 · derived.
Palma RatioWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 1.3322.0591.332▲ Improved since 2013
Bolivia: 2.059 · world median 1.332 · Palma ratio (income share of the richest 10% ÷ share of the poorest 40%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.771 to 4.193; lower is better.
Position 11th of 60 · derived, 1st = worst.
Intergenerational Persistence in EducationWorld Bank Group · 2017 · world median 0.4460.5510.446No earlier reading
Bolivia: 0.551 · world median 0.446 · Correlation between own and parents' years of schooling, born 1980–89 (0–1). World Bank Group, 2017 edition, data for 2017.
Published values in that edition run from 0.123 to 0.66; lower is better.
Position 23rd of 153 · derived, 1st = worst.
No better end3
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Cost of a Healthy DietFAO · 2025 · world median 4.555.384.55No real change since 2017
Bolivia: 5.38 · world median 4.55 · Cost of the cheapest locally available healthy diet, PPP dollars per person per day. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.66 to 8.27.
Poverty Headcount at National Poverty LinesWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 21.837.721.8No earlier reading
Bolivia: 37.7 · world median 21.8 · Population below the national poverty line (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 82.3.
Catastrophic Out-of-Pocket Health SpendingWorld Bank Group · 2019 · world median 6.8811.066.88No earlier reading
Bolivia: 11.06 · world median 6.88 · Population in households spending more than 10% of their budget on health out of pocket (%). World Bank Group, 2019 edition, data for 2019.
Published values in that edition run from 0.133 to 31.21.
No current reading for Bolivia
Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary Completion. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Poverty & Inequality among Bolivia’s 16 topics
Poverty & Inequality is Bolivia’s 8th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Work & Labourjoint 29th of 1824/4 keys
- Gender & Equality33rd of 1834/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability64th of 1864/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge82nd of 1984/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience92nd of 1934/4 keys
- Energyjoint 85th of 1653/3 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties107th of 1984/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality92nd of 1593/3 keys
- Health & Wellbeing124th of 2004/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation113th of 1764/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital127th of 1963/3 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 117th of 1774/4 keys
- Digital & Technology140th of 1984/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions143rd of 1944/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture148th of 1843/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade164th of 1772/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on poverty & inequality
The three countries placed highest of 159, and the leaders Bolivia can most readily be measured against.
1
BelarusEastern Europe
1st of 159 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: zedlik , cropped by Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
SloveniaSouthern Europe
2nd of 159 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Z.K. derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 3.0, greyscale
=3
UkraineEastern Europe
Joint 3rd of 159 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: uploaded by Chern038 · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Americas
Canada28th3/3 keysHighest in South America
Uruguay78th3/3 keysThis page
Bolivia92nd3/3 keys
Positions out of 159 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
Bolivia on poverty & inequality: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Bolivia rank on poverty & inequality?
Bolivia is placed 92nd of 159 countries on Poverty & Inequality in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Gini Index, Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day and Share of Population Unable to Afford a Healthy Diet). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Gini Index figure for Bolivia?
42.05 in 2023 (gini index (0 = perfect equality, 100 = perfect inequality)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 33.72.
What is the latest Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day figure for Bolivia?
0.76 in 2023 (poverty gap at $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 0.345.
How does Bolivia compare with Brazil on poverty & inequality?
Brazil is placed 113th of 159, and Bolivia 92nd. Gini Index: Brazil 51.49, Bolivia 42.05; Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day: Brazil 1.34, Bolivia 0.76; Share of Population Unable to Afford a Healthy Diet: Brazil 21.1, Bolivia 10.5.
How have Bolivia’s poverty & inequality figures changed?
Gini Index fell from 59.27 in 2002 to 42.05 in 2023; Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day fell from 12.94 in 2002 to 0.76 in 2023; Share of Population Unable to Afford a Healthy Diet fell from 14.4 in 2017 to 10.5 in 2025.
Which poverty & inequality statistics are missing for Bolivia?
No current reading is published for Bolivia on Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary Completion. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
These figures come from household surveys, which most countries run every few years rather than every year. So the subject's standing is read from each country's most recent survey of the last decade, with the year of every reading shown, rather than from one year in which only a minority of countries were surveyed. Two readings decide it — how unequally income is shared and how deep extreme poverty runs — because the other poverty and inequality measures here largely repeat one of those two or repeat average income, which already counts under Economy and Development. Countries with no survey in the last decade have no standing here. What work pays is under Work & Labour; wealth, as opposed to income, has no global source this site is permitted to republish.
How the Poverty & Inequality standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The poverty & inequality method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Gini Index — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Share of Population Unable to Afford a Healthy Diet — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
The other 30 statistics on this page come from 8 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Bolivia’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Bolivia (banner) — Martin St-Amant ( S23678 ); derivative work (noise reduction to sky) by Julia W, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Belarus — zedlik , cropped by Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Slovenia — Z.K. derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY 3.0
- Ukraine — uploaded by Chern038, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Bolivia: Poverty & Inequality — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/bolivia/poverty