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Economy of Bolivia vs Paraguay compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bolivia has a GDP of $54.9B compared to $44.5B for Paraguay, ranking 88/197 and 98/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bolivia has $53.8B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $19.9B (44.8% of GDP) in Paraguay.

Bolivia vs Paraguay GDP by year

Bolivia
Paraguay
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bolivia Paraguay
2024 $54,881,327,453 $44,458,118,397
2023 $52,340,206,946 $43,118,053,175
2022 $50,959,081,954 $41,952,910,858
2021 $47,877,892,402 $39,950,899,939
2020 $42,313,784,081 $35,432,178,068
2019 $49,056,643,589 $37,925,338,329
2018 $48,414,038,842 $40,225,448,341
2017 $45,927,439,595 $38,997,129,474
2016 $33,941,126,194 $36,089,700,223
2015 $33,000,198,249 $36,211,447,840
2014 $32,996,188,017 $40,377,929,296
2013 $30,659,338,886 $38,501,122,141
2012 $27,084,497,482 $33,271,921,136
2011 $23,963,164,697 $33,756,238,766
2010 $19,649,723,722 $27,260,886,405
2009 $17,339,992,194 $22,355,151,162
2008 $16,674,276,286 $24,615,267,664
2007 $13,120,108,008 $17,856,393,235
2006 $11,451,844,902 $13,429,430,050
2005 $9,549,122,905 $10,737,500,188
2004 $8,773,451,752 $9,624,440,836
2003 $8,082,399,640 $7,691,367,471
2002 $7,905,485,146 $7,196,260,657
2001 $8,141,516,928 $8,495,806,432
2000 $8,397,855,485 $8,855,705,140
1999 $8,285,064,435 $8,837,070,236
1998 $8,497,494,652 $9,260,481,572
1997 $7,925,736,821 $9,965,225,678
1996 $7,396,949,126 $9,788,391,781
1995 $6,715,161,732 $9,062,131,475
1994 $5,981,222,859 $7,870,982,005
1993 $5,734,699,489 $7,249,533,620
1992 $5,643,868,749 $7,157,424,031
1991 $5,343,262,457 $6,984,367,763
1990 $4,867,582,598 $5,812,114,523
1989 $4,715,973,437 $4,757,732,200
1988 $4,597,612,362 $4,255,683,528
1987 $4,347,956,338 $3,971,044,724
1986 $3,959,382,833 $3,723,993,943
1985 $5,377,276,555 $3,282,449,236
1984 $6,169,483,225 $4,502,462,807
1983 $5,422,656,823 $5,673,248,726
1982 $5,594,126,369 $5,419,411,765
1981 $5,891,598,695 $5,624,515,873
1980 $4,537,479,608 $4,448,087,302
1979 $4,421,336,383 $3,416,777,778
1978 $3,758,220,890 $2,559,857,143
1977 $3,227,436,282 $2,092,158,730
1976 $2,731,984,008 $1,698,960,317
1975 $2,404,697,651 $1,511,420,635
1974 $2,100,249,875 $1,333,475,397
1973 $1,262,968,516 $995,531,746
1972 $1,257,615,645 $769,039,683
1971 $1,095,622,896 $664,571,429
1970 $1,017,003,367 $594,611,111
1969 $929,629,630 $556,293,651
1968 $857,912,458 $517,650,794
1967 $755,808,081 $492,674,603
1966 $669,191,919 $465,888,889
1965 $604,377,104 $443,587,302
1964 $544,023,569 $408,349,206
1963 $482,828,283 $383,904,762
1962 $448,400,673 $360,698,413
1961 $410,101,010 $322,053,713
1960 $377,020,202 $288,884,368

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bolivia/paraguay | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bolivia vs Paraguay by year

Bolivia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Paraguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bolivia Paraguay
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,421 $12,878 $6,416 $18,524
2023 $4,275 $12,892 $6,300 $17,564
2022 $4,219 $12,307 $6,206 $16,347
2021 $4,011 $11,202 $5,977 $15,406
2020 $3,581 $9,581 $5,365 $14,309
2019 $4,203 $11,005 $5,821 $14,150
2018 $4,207 $10,758 $6,258 $14,139
2017 $4,048 $10,420 $6,152 $13,977
2016 $3,036 $9,242 $5,775 $13,329
2015 $2,996 $8,757 $5,879 $12,679
2014 $3,041 $8,629 $6,652 $12,607
2013 $2,870 $8,069 $6,436 $12,137
2012 $2,576 $7,184 $5,642 $10,954
2011 $2,316 $6,598 $5,805 $11,442
2010 $1,930 $6,245 $4,751 $10,893
2009 $1,731 $6,024 $3,942 $9,802
2008 $1,693 $5,890 $4,385 $9,867
2007 $1,355 $5,537 $3,212 $9,179
2006 $1,203 $5,244 $2,439 $8,561
2005 $1,020 $4,938 $1,971 $8,007
2004 $953 $4,663 $1,786 $7,686
2003 $893 $4,433 $1,444 $7,276
2002 $888 $4,304 $1,368 $6,924
2001 $930 $4,205 $1,638 $6,916
2000 $976 $4,113 $1,736 $6,937
1999 $979 $3,991 $1,766 $7,080
1998 $1,022 $3,988 $1,890 $7,227
1997 $970 $3,822 $2,079 $7,299
1996 $922 $3,645 $2,088 $7,040
1995 $853 $3,494 $1,979 $6,966
1994 $774 $3,331 $1,760 $6,542
1993 $757 $3,177 $1,662 $6,234
1992 $760 $3,036 $1,683 $5,952
1991 $734 $2,981 $1,685 $5,873
1990 $683 $2,797 $1,440 $5,637
1989 $675 - $1,211 -
1988 $673 - $1,114 -
1987 $650 - $1,069 -
1986 $604 - $1,031 -
1985 $838 - $935 -
1984 $982 - $1,319 -
1983 $882 - $1,710 -
1982 $930 - $1,680 -
1981 $1,001 - $1,793 -
1980 $788 - $1,457 -
1979 $785 - $1,149 -
1978 $683 - $883 -
1977 $600 - $740 -
1976 $520 - $616 -
1975 $468 - $562 -
1974 $418 - $508 -
1973 $257.2 - $389 -
1972 $261.9 - $308 -
1971 $233.4 - $272.1 -
1970 $221.6 - $249 -
1969 $207.1 - $238.2 -
1968 $195.5 - $226.8 -
1967 $176.1 - $220.9 -
1966 $159.3 - $213.9 -
1965 $147.1 - $208.7 -
1964 $135.2 - $197 -
1963 $122.6 - $189.9 -
1962 $116.2 - $182.8 -
1961 $108.5 - $167.1 -
1960 $101.8 - $153.4 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bolivia/paraguay | CC BY

Bolivia's GDP per capita is $4,421, ranking 125/197, compared to $6,416 in Paraguay, ranking 109/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bolivia ranks 122nd at $12,878, while Paraguay ranks 102nd at $18,524.

Economic indicators

Bolivia Paraguay
Gross domestic product
$54.9B
2024
$44.5B
2024
GDP rank
88/197
2024
98/197
2024
GDP growth
-1.12%
2023-2024
4.25%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,421
2024
$6,416
2024
GDP per capita rank
125/197
2024
109/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,878
2024
$18,524
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
122/197
2024
102/197
2024
Government debt
$53.8B
2024
$19.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
44.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,331
2024
$2,872
2024
Government debt per person rank
88/185
2024
103/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,720
2026
$6,136
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$313M
1999
Income share by richest 10%
31.3%
2023
35%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.8%
2023
2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.8%
2024
21%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.1%
2023-2024
3.84%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.26%
2025
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.73%
2024
5.69%
2024
Population
12798112
7120169

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bolivia
Spending

Debt
Paraguay
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bolivia Paraguay
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.8% 98% 21% 44.8%
2023 38.7% 90.8% 21.5% 41.1%
2022 36% 80.1% 20.2% 40.5%
2021 34.8% 81.4% 20.4% 37.5%
2020 36.8% 78% 22.6% 36.9%
2019 36.1% 58.6% 20.1% 25.8%
2018 37.7% 53.1% 18.5% 22.3%
2017 38.6% 51.3% 18.1% 19.8%
2016 40% 46.5% 17.7% 19.4%
2015 44.5% 40.9% 18% 18.6%
2014 41.2% 37.6% 17.1% 15.6%
2013 35.4% 36.1% 17.1% 13.5%
2012 36% 35.4% 17.6% 12.3%
2011 35.4% 35.3% 14.7% 11.1%
2010 31.5% 37.6% 13.3% 13%
2009 33.2% 39.2% 14.3% 14.9%
2008 35.3% 36.8% 11.8% 16%
2007 32.7% 40% 13.1% 16.8%
2006 29.8% 54.4% 14.1% 21%
2005 33.2% 82.2% 14% 28.3%
2004 32.3% 89.8% 14% 36%
2003 32% 95.6% 14.6% 37.5%
2002 33.3% 86.7% 17.6% 50.5%
2001 32% 83% 19% 37.1%
2000 29.3% 74.3% 19.6% 33.6%
1999 29.4% 61.7% 19.2% 32%
1998 30% 61.2% 18% 22.1%
1997 28.3% 64.6% 18.1% 18%
1996 26% 72.4% 16.9% 16.8%
1995 25.8% 81.7% 15.7% 17.6%
1994 26.8% 87.6% 14.5% 18.7%
1993 27.2% 83.8% 12.9% 26.6%
1992 25.3% 92.4% 13% 34.4%
1991 24.2% 92.8% 11.4% 49.4%
1990 22.8% 102.9% 10.5% 67%
1989 24.4% 98% 11.8% 52.9%
1988 24% 115.9% 9.75% 58.9%
1987 24.4% 145.3% 10.1% 68.7%
1986 22.2% 149% 9.25% 57.1%
1985 21.8% 205.2% 11.4% 54.7%
1984 29% 166.5% 13% 31%
1983 32.1% 157.3% 13% 22.6%
1982 25% 155.4% 13.2% 21.3%
1981 16.6% 121.7% 13.3% 17.4%
1980 19.8% 100% 11.6% 17.4%
1979 18% 92% 11.7% 19.7%
1978 17.3% 82.5% 11.9% 20.9%
1977 18.6% 82.4% 11.2% 18.8%
1976 16.8% 68.9% 9.8% 14.1%
1975 14.4% 56.2% 10.5% 12.6%
1974 14.2% 52.7% 9.44% 12.5%
1973 14.1% 80.9% 11.2% 15.4%
1972 11.8% 77.7% 12.5% 18.2%
1971 11.3% 65.7% 12.3% 18.9%
1970 10% 63.9% 13.3% 19.2%
1969 12.3% - 14% -
1968 14.1% - 13.5% -
1967 13.1% - 12.2% -
1966 12.9% - - -
1965 12.9% - - -
1964 10.8% - - -
1963 10.8% - - -
1962 10.2% - - -
1961 10.7% - - -
1960 10.1% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bolivia/paraguay | CC BY

In 2024, Bolivia's government spending was $21.9B, accounting for 39.8% of its GDP, while Paraguay spent $9.33B, or 21% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in Bolivia and 44.8% in Paraguay, ranking 26/185 and 120/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bolivia

Paraguay
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bolivia Paraguay
2024 -10.6% -2.12%
2023 -10.9% -3.81%
2022 -7.12% -2.64%
2021 -9.33% -3.39%
2020 -12.7% -5.72%
2019 -7.25% -2.44%
2018 -8.17% -1.01%
2017 -7.86% -0.44%
2016 -7.24% -0.37%
2015 -6.93% -0.44%
2014 -3.41% -0.27%
2013 0.6% -1.16%
2012 1.72% -0.58%
2011 0.83% 1.29%
2010 1.62% 1.54%
2009 2.63% 0.59%
2008 3.53% 2.29%
2007 -1.54% 1.27%
2006 4.47% 0.91%
2005 -2.24% 0.74%
2004 -5.54% 1.33%
2003 -7.88% -0.07%
2002 -8.79% -1.89%
2001 -6.82% 0.07%
2000 -3.73% -0.55%
1999 -3.84% 2.67%
1998 -5.1% 4.28%
1997 -3.28% 3%
1996 -1.9% 2.43%
1995 -1.82% 2.78%
1994 -3% 4.59%
1993 -6.1% 4.27%
1992 -4.4% 3.1%
1991 -4.2% 3.41%
1990 -4.4% 7.56%
1989 -5.5% 5.48%
1988 -6.5% 3.01%
1987 -7.7% 2.68%
1986 -2.7% 3.08%
1985 -9.8% 0.85%
1984 -25.4% -0.42%
1983 -19.8% 0.27%
1982 -15.9% 1.52%
1981 -12.3% 0.15%
1980 -15.3% 3.4%
1979 -11.2% 4.13%
1978 -9.97% -3.42%
1977 -11.2% -0.19%
1976 -1.15% -0.06%
1975 -2.33% -1.24%
1974 -1.87% 1.67%
1973 -3.72% -0.91%
1972 -3.69% -2.51%
1971 -3.67% -1.25%
1970 -1.92% -1.26%
1969 -4.16% -1.62%
1968 -5.67% -2.34%
1967 -4.29% -1.7%
1966 -3.55% -
1965 -4.12% -
1964 -2.68% -
1963 -3.02% -
1962 -2.8% -
1961 -2.81% -
1960 -3.35% -
1959 -4.32% -
1958 -2.95% -
1957 -1.11% -
1956 -0.11% -
1955 0.33% -
1954 0.006% -
1953 -0.48% -
1952 -0.94% -
1951 -0.42% -
1950 -1.17% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bolivia/paraguay | CC BY

In 2024, Bolivia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5.83B, equivalent to 10.6% of GDP. This compares to Paraguay's deficit of $942M, or 2.12% of GDP.

Over the past 58 years, Bolivia recorded a fiscal deficit in 51 of those years, while Paraguay ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Bolivia posted an annual deficit equal to 5.8% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.53% of GDP for Paraguay.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bolivia

Paraguay
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bolivia Paraguay
2024 5.1% 3.84%
2023 2.58% 4.63%
2022 1.75% 9.77%
2021 0.74% 4.79%
2020 0.94% 1.77%
2019 1.84% 2.76%
2018 2.27% 3.98%
2017 2.82% 3.6%
2016 3.62% 4.09%
2015 4.06% 3.13%
2014 5.77% 5.03%
2013 5.74% 2.68%
2012 4.52% 3.68%
2011 9.88% 8.25%
2010 2.5% 4.65%
2009 3.35% 2.59%
2008 14% 10.2%
2007 8.71% 8.13%
2006 4.28% 9.59%
2005 5.39% 6.81%
2004 4.44% 4.32%
2003 3.34% 14.2%
2002 0.93% 10.5%
2001 1.59% 7.27%
2000 4.61% 8.98%
1999 2.16% 6.75%
1998 7.67% 11.6%
1997 4.71% 6.95%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bolivia/paraguay | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bolivia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.26%, compared with 6.23% in Paraguay. In 2024, inflation was 5.1% in Bolivia and 3.84% in Paraguay.

Top exports between countries

Bolivia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $29.4M
Machinery & equipment $10.9M
Animal & marine products $8.89M
Chemicals & pharma $3.98M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.66M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.45M
Wood & paper products $1.38M
Raw agricultural goods $1.3M
Metals $1.25M
Miscellaneous $72K
Paraguay
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $38.2M
Metals $24.7M
Raw agricultural goods $14.8M
Machinery & equipment $6.66M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.25M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.92M
Raw materials & minerals $1.32M
Wood & paper products $1.3M
Animal & marine products $978K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K

Balance of trade

Bolivia Paraguay
Current account balance
-$1.41B
2024
-$1.53B
2024
Current account balance ranking
132/190
2024
133/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.56%
2024
-3.44%
2024
Goods imports
$9.15B
2024
$15.8B
2024
Goods exports
$8.93B
2024
$14.9B
2024
Service imports
$2.35B
2024
$2.54B
2024
Service exports
$1.14B
2024
$2.65B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
39.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.4%
2024
37.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Bolivia Paraguay
Economic freedom 42.4 66.4
Economic freedom ranking 184/197 61/197
Property rights 20.2 44.2
Government integrity 27.1 27.3
Judicial effectiveness 29.5 38.4
Tax burden 86.4 95.9
Government spending 56.3 86.9
Fiscal health 0.8 83
Business freedom 53.6 72
Labor freedom 52.2 44.1
Monetary freedom 67.1 76.5
Trade freedom 60.6 78.4
Investment freedom 15 80
Financial freedom 40 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bolivia
Paraguay
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bolivia Paraguay
2026 42.4 66.4
2025 44.1 65.2
2024 43.5 60.1
2023 43.4 61
2022 43 62.9
2021 42.7 62.6
2020 42.8 63
2019 42.3 61.8
2018 44.1 62.1
2017 47.7 62.4
2016 47.4 61.5
2015 46.8 61.1
2014 48.4 62
2013 47.9 61.1
2012 50.2 61.8
2011 50 62.3
2010 49.4 61.3
2009 53.6 61
2008 53.1 60
2007 54.2 58.3
2006 57.8 55.6
2005 58.4 53.4
2004 64.5 56.7
2003 64.3 58.2
2002 65.1 59.6
2001 68 60.3
2000 65 64
1999 65.6 63.7
1998 68.8 65.2
1997 65.1 67.3
1996 65.2 67.1
1995 56.8 65.9

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/bolivia/paraguay | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bolivia is 42.4, ranking 184/197, compared to 66.4 for Paraguay, ranking 61/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bolivia Paraguay
Services, % of GDP
53.4%
2024
48.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.3%
2024
32.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.83%
2024
10.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$51.7B
2024
$43.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,620
2024
$17,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.98B
2024
$9.89B
2023
Total reserves ranking
127/177
2024
76/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$113M
2024
-$335M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$387M
2024
$1.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$133M
2024
$166M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.41%
2024
4.58%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.5%
2023
20.1%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.9%
2024
22.8%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bolivia/paraguay | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.