Bolivia

As of 2025, Bolivia’s population is 12.5 million, with a median age of 25.2—highlighting a predominantly young demographic. The adolescent fertility rate remains high at 63 births per 1,000 girls aged 15–19 (World Bank, 2022), positioning Bolivia among the highest in the region, and access to sexuality education and youth-friendly health services is limited. Violence is widespread, with 27.1% of women aged 15–49 experiencing partner violence in the past year (UNFPA, 2020). Informal employment affects 80.8% of workers, whilst the regional average is 48% (ILO) with vulnerable employment affecting 69.6% of women and 59.4% of men in Bolivia (World Bank). Despite progress in promoting youth political engagement, such as its National Youth Law, there are important gaps in representation in decision-making bodies; greater civic education and inclusive platforms are needed to strengthen youth engagement.

1. ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH MOST IMPACTED BY INEQUALITY AND DISCRIMINATION ARE PROTECTED AGAINST VIOLENCE AND ENJOY HEALTHY SEXUALITY, PREVENTING TEENAGE PREGNANCY

 Life skills and adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) training equip youth with the tools to make informed choices, avoid early pregnancy and actively participate in their own protection. Young people are empowered to lead change in their communities through powerful peer-to-peer strategies, supported by parents, caregivers, and community members engaged in behaviour change initiatives. Collaboration with the health sector further strengthens the availability and quality of youth-friendly ASRH services.

2. ADOLESCENTS MOST IMPACTED BY INEQUALITY AND DISCRIMINATION STRENGTHENED IN BASIC AND TECHNICAL SKILLS AND WITH POSITIVE ATTITUDES TO PROMOTE GOOD ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY OBTAIN DECENT JOBS/SELF-EMPLOYMENT PROTECTED FROM THE WORST FORMS OF LABOR

Young people are equipped with basic, technical, and entrepreneurial skills to access decent jobs or self-employment, while being protected from exploitative labor. Training is aligned with private sector demands, and opportunities are enhanced through partnerships, improved public employment services, and market linkages. For self-employment, youth receive support in business development, start-up capital, mentorship, and market access.

3. POLICIES, RULES, STRATEGIES, SERVICES, AND NETWORKS THAT PROMOTE THE EXERCISE OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC RIGHTS OF ADOLESCENTS AND YOUT IMPROVED WITH THEIR PARTICIPATION

Policies, services, and networks are strengthened to promote young people’s social and economic rights, with their active participation. Local governments are supported to integrate youth rights into policies and budgets through meaningful participation of strengthened representative youth bodies. Civil society and institutional networks are also reinforced to better respond to the needs of the most vulnerable.

Socio-ecological Model

Adolescent and youth wellbeing depends also on a supportive environment. The project promotes positive change across all levels of the SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL MODEL—engaging young people, families, communities, services, and systems. It collaborates with central government through several Ministeries, local governments, NGOs, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, civil society networks, the private sector, financial institutions, education and health providers, and youth organizations.