Unemployment Rate: Bolivia

Analysis# Bolivia Unemployment Rate Bolivia's unemployment rate stands at 5.1% in 2025, reflecting a stable labor market near its historical midpoint. Since 2000, the rate has declined 32.0% overall, falling from 7.5% to the current level. The country experienced its worst employment crisis in 2002, when unemployment peaked at 8.7%, and achieved its strongest performance in 2012 with a low of 3.2%. The current rate positions Bolivia between these historical extremes, indicating moderate employment conditions. The 2020 pandemic disrupted two decades of relative stability, spiking unemployment to 8.3%—the second-highest reading on record. Recovery was gradual but consistent, with the rate declining to 4.7% by 2022. Since then, unemployment has plateaued near 5%, suggesting Bolivia's labor market has stabilized around this level after pandemic disruptions. The lack of significant volatility in recent years suggests sustained equilibrium in employment conditions.