Bolivian Boliviano

Overview

Economy

• Bolivia is a member of UNASUR, CELAC, OAS, Mercosur (associate), Andean Community.
• Main industries include: Mining, Smelting, Petroleum, Food and beverages, Tobacco, Handicrafts, Clothing, Jewelry.
• Bolivia is part of the World Trade Organization.
• Imports are petroleum products, plastics, paper, aircraft, prepared foods, automobiles, insecticides.
• Major exports include natural gas, silver, zinc, lead, tin, gold, quinoa, soybeans.
• GDP: $47.1 billion (2023 est.).
• GDP per capita: $3,943 (2023 est.).
• Unemployment rate: 3.5% (2023 est.).
• Inflation rate: 1.7% (2023 est.).
• Main trading partners: Brazil, Argentina, United States, Colombia, China, Japan.
• Trade agreements: Andean Community agreements, Mercosur associate agreements, Various bilateral agreements.

History

• Previous currencies used: Peso boliviano, Bolivian peso, Bolivian real.
• The boliviano was introduced in 1987, replacing the peso boliviano at a rate of 1 million:1. This was part of major economic reforms to combat hyperinflation.
• 1987: BOB introduced, replacing peso boliviano (1,000,000:1)
• 1987: Economic stabilization plan implemented
• 1990s: Economic liberalization and growth
• 2006: Nationalization of key industries under new government
• 2019: Political crisis and economic uncertainty
• Exchange rate peg: Crawling peg with periodic adjustments.

General Information

• ISO 4217 Code: BOB
• Symbols: BOB/Bs.
• Currency Subunits: 100 centavos
• Central Bank: Central Bank of Bolivia
• Monetary Policy: Crawling peg exchange rate system with gradual adjustments. Focus on price stability and supporting economic growth.
• Bills: 10 BOB, 20 BOB, 50 BOB, 100 BOB, 200 BOB
• Coins: 10 centavos, 20 centavos, 50 centavos, 1 boliviano, 2 bolivianos, 5 bolivianos
• USD Exchange Rate: Variable (approximately 6.9 BOB per USD)
• Pegged To: None (Floating)
• Capital: Sucre (constitutional), La Paz (administrative)
• Population: 11,947,966 (2023 est.)
• Area: 1,098,581 km²
• Languages: Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara (official), Guarani (official)
• Time Zones: UTC-4 (Bolivia Time)
• Government Type: Presidential republic
• Head of Government: President (head of state and government)
• Independence: August 6, 1825 (from Spain)
• Ethnic Groups: Mestizo 68%, Indigenous 20%, White 5%, Cholo 2%, Afro-Bolivian 1%, Other 1%, Unspecified 3%
• Religions: Roman Catholic 70%, Evangelical 14.5%, Adventist 2.5%, Mormon 1.2%, Agnostic 0.3%, Jehovah's Witnesses 0.3%, Other Christian 4.2%, Other 2.2%, None 4.8%
• Literacy Rate: 92.5% (2015 est.)
• Transport: El Alto International Airport, road networks, river transport, limited rail system
• Communications: Expanding telecommunications, 66% internet penetration, growing mobile coverage
• Energy: Natural gas 76%, Hydroelectric 19%, Other 5%
• Countries Using This Currency: Bolivia
• Data Sources: Central Bank: Central Bank of Bolivia (bcb.gob.bo), Economic Data: National Institute of Statistics Bolivia, World Bank, IMF, Trade Data: Bolivia Customs, Demographic Data: National Institute of Statistics Bolivia, Geographic Data: National Service of Meteorology and Hydrology, Historical Data: Central Bank of Bolivia archives
• Last Updated: 2025