Social Inclusion

Social Inclusion
Issue
Although there has been significant progress, Bolivia’s
social indicators are still among the worst in the region
and huge disparities persist. Of the country’s 3.8
million children and adolescents, about 1.0 million are
disadvantaged by lack of income, inequality and social
exclusion. Most of these children and adolescents are
from indigenous rural communities. They often live far
from schools, are more likely to engage in child labour,
face discrimination and suffer other kinds of abuse
and disadvantage. Girls are particularly marginalized.
The poorest adolescent girls are more likely to be
adolescent mothers and subsequently miss out on a
proper education and other opportunities. Moreover,
they are also more susceptible to maternal mortality,
morbidity and under nutrition.
Data collection needs to be improved for evidencebased advocacy and to assist with the design of cost
effective policy interventions in favour of the most
excluded children.
A couple of adolescent brothers at Santa
Rosa community, Monteagudo, Chuquisaca.
Of the country’s 3.8 million children
and adolescents, about 1.0 million are
disadvantaged by lack of income, inequality
and social exclusion.
UNICEF/Bolivia/Pirozzi
Economic, social, political, cultural and institutional
changes over the past 10 years have shone light and
cast shadows over the rights of Bolivian children and
adolescents.
Social Inclusion
Key Indicators
• Population considered poor: approximately 4.3
million people; about 43 per cent of the total
population
• People in rural areas who lack sufficient resources
to buy a basic food basket: 61 per cent
• The incidence of extreme poverty in indigenous
population (36.8 per cent) is three times higher than
the non-indigenous one (12.1 per cent)
• Children and adolescents who are income poor: 27
per cent of children and adolescents - approximately
1.0 million people
• Children and adolescents who are considered poor
from a multidimensional perspective; deprived in
at least two of the seven dimensions of poverty
defined by UNICEF: 58 per cent in 2007
Sources used: Séptimo Informe de Progreso de los Objetivos de
Desarrollo del Milenio en Bolivia UDAPE, 2013;
UDAPE estimations; Estudio global de pobreza y disparidades de la
niñez, UNICEF UDAPE 2010.
Source: Séptimo Informe de Progreso de los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio en Bolivia UDAPE, 2013.
Source: Séptimo Informe de Progreso de los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio en Bolivia UDAPE and INE, 2013.
Calle 20, 7720, Calacoto, La Paz, Bolivia / Phone (591-2) 2770222
Fax (591-2) 2772101 / lapaz@unicef.org / www.unicef.org/bolivia