Bolivia

With a population of 9.1 million, Bolivia is a large, land-locked country of vast mountains, cold desolate plateaux, and semi-tropical and fertile lowlands. It is a country of diverse cultures and ethnic groups, with a large proportion of the population being indigenous.

Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in South America. The majority of the population are low-income subsistence farmers, tin miners and small traders many of whom struggle to survive on the bleak high plains against severe weather and desertification. This is in stark contrast to the small prosperous elite, mostly of Spanish ancestry, living in urban areas.

Since the revolution and independence in 1825, Bolivia has had many leaders, including brutal military regimes. However in the last few years there have been significant changes in democracy and the introduction of important state reforms. The government has shown commitment to child health and education policy, which has lowered the infant mortality rate and increased the number of children enrolling in schools.

However primary school completion rates for are very low in rural areas, especially for girls and approximately 800,000 children under 18 are still working in mainly hazardous occupations.

Some of the reasons why Plan works in Bolivia

• 7 in every 100 children die before reaching the age of five
• A quarter of children under five years old suffer from stunted growth due to poor nutrition
• Only half of all children complete primary school
• A third of the rural population does not have access to adequate drinking water
• More than 60% of the rural population do not have access to adequate sanitation facilities