Bolivia · Americas
How many people die in Bolivia every day?
In Bolivia, about 197 people die every day, roughly one death every 7 minutes. That is about 72,000 deaths a year, 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 91st highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 64 years and the leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
197
Deaths per year
72,000
Life expectancy
64 years
Population
12,186,079
Death rate
5.9 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Bolivia
64
World avg
72.8
-8.8 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Bolivia
5.9
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Bolivia by time period
| Per hour | 8.2 |
| Per day | 197 |
| Per week | 1,381 |
| Per month | 6,000 |
| Per year | 72,000 |
What people die of in Bolivia
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Bolivia in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 9.4% of all deaths, about 18 a day. It was followed by pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections and kidney diseases.
Deaths from kidney diseases have more than doubled since 2000, from about 2,448 to 5,399 a year. Deaths from pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections have fallen by 16% since 2000, from about 7,029 to 5,902 a year.
WHO counts single causes, so heart disease and stroke appear as separate rows. Grouped together as cardiovascular disease, the category in the summary above, they are the largest killer.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 6,471 | 18 | 9.4% | +41% |
| 2 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 5,902 | 16 | 8.5% | -16% |
| 3 | Kidney diseases | 5,399 | 15 | 7.8% | +121% |
| 4 | Stroke | 5,309 | 15 | 7.7% | +9% |
| 5 | COVID-19 | 3,619 | 9.9 | 5.2% | n/a |
| 6 | Diabetes | 3,296 | 9.0 | 4.8% | +91% |
| 7 | Cirrhosis of the liver | 2,132 | 5.8 | 3.1% | +30% |
| 8 | Road injuries | 1,844 | 5.1 | 2.7% | +18% |
| 9 | COPD | 1,565 | 4.3 | 2.3% | +45% |
| 10 | Hypertensive heart disease | 1,534 | 4.2 | 2.2% | +100% |
Deaths in Bolivia since 2000
WHO estimates that about 69,125 people died in Bolivia in 2023, 12% more than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 61,522 deaths |
| 2010 | 59,322 deaths |
| 2019 | 65,799 deaths |
| 2023 | 69,125 deaths |
Life expectancy in Bolivia since 1950
A baby born in Bolivia in 1950 could expect to live about 40.7 years. By 2023 that had risen to 68.6, a gain of 27.9 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 40.7 years |
| 1980 | 51.8 years |
| 2000 | 62.1 years |
| 2010 | 66 years |
| 2019 | 67.8 years |
| 2023 | 68.6 years |
Bolivia compared with similar countries in Americas
Among the 24 countries in Americas on this site, Bolivia ranks 23rd for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolivia | 197 | 64 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Haiti | 274 | 64 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Dominican Republic | 186 | 74.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Cuba | 301 | 73.7 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Honduras | 142 | 75.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Guatemala | 260 | 71.8 | Cardiovascular disease |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in Bolivia every day?
In Bolivia, about 197 people die every day, or roughly one death every 7 minutes. That adds up to about 72,000 deaths a year, 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Bolivia?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Bolivia. Heart disease and stroke are the biggest killers in most countries, driven largely by high blood pressure, smoking, diet and inactivity. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put heart disease (ischaemic) first in 2023, with 9.4% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Bolivia?
Life expectancy at birth in Bolivia is 64 years, 8.8 years below the world average of 72.8. That ranks 157th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Bolivia high?
Bolivia records about 5.9 deaths per 1,000 people each year, below the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.