Bolivia Over Twelve Years: Which Territories and Sectors Advanced and Which Were Left Behind?

A Spanish version of this article was originally published on the SDSN Bolivia webpage.

On September 8, 2026, the Atlas of the SDGs in Bolivia 2026, “Gaps and Trends in Sustainable Development across Autonomous Territorial Entities, 2012–2024,” was officially presented in La Paz, Bolivia.

The Atlas analyzes the evolution of 81 sustainable development indicators across the country's territories, using twelve years of data, 353 Autonomous Territorial Entities, and over 100,000 observations. The results reveal a diverse reality: While Bolivia has advanced in certain dimensions, progress has been uneven across territories and among the various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“The Atlas allows us to move from a general overview of Bolivia to a much more precise understanding of what is happening in each territory,” said Lykke Andersen, Executive Director of SDSN Bolivia. “The data show that sustainable development does not progress at the same rate everywhere and that we need disaggregated data to make better decisions.”

A major finding is the high level of persistence in territories' sustainable development levels. The correlation between Sustainable Development Index (SDI) scores from 2012 and 2024 stands at 0.87. Simply put, territories with higher levels of sustainable development twelve years ago generally hold favorable positions today.

However, exceptions exist, and significant changes lie beneath the national averages. Among the most populous municipalities, El Alto and Viacha recorded greater-than-expected progress, whereas Montero and San José showed less progress than anticipated.

Small Municipalities Making Great Strides

One of the most notable results involves Cruz de Machacamarca and Carangas — rural municipalities in the Oruro department — which recorded gains of nearly 20 points on the SDI. Both territories grew nearly 200 places in the national ranking of subnational government entities (ETAs) between 2012 and 2024. The results demonstrate that the most significant changes are not necessarily concentrated in the largest municipalities and that local experiences are worthy of study and recognition.

During the launch event, municipalities that achieved the greatest progress were recognized, highlighting their efforts, best practices, and commitment to sustainable development. The Atlas also features a "Top 10" list of municipalities based on their SDG Index, comparing performance between 2012 and 2024.

"One of the most interesting aspects of the Atlas is that it allows us to look beyond national averages,” said Oscar Molina Tejerina, Rector of the Bolivian Private University (UPB) and Chair of SDSN Bolivia. “When we disaggregate the data by territory, we find very different stories: municipalities that have made extraordinary progress and others facing significant setbacks."

Progress and Setbacks

The greatest gains were recorded in SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), with an index increase of 28.7 points, and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), which saw a rise of 26.2 points. While these areas show positive trends, the most significant setbacks are concentrated in the environmental sphere. SDG 15 (Life on Land) fell 14.8 points, followed by SDG 13 (Climate Action), which fell 8.8 points. SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) also saw setbacks, albeit less pronounced.

Overall, the results reveal a key tension in the country's development: economic and infrastructure gains are not necessarily accompanied by improvements in social and environmental dimensions.

Challenges Requiring Greater Attention

The Atlas also identifies issues that are becoming increasingly significant for Bolivia's sustainable development. Notable among these are rising rates of obesity and anemia among women, the spread of HIV, increased CO₂ emissions, and biodiversity loss linked to deforestation and forest fires. A territorial perspective reveals how these challenges manifest differently across the country and where to concentrate greater efforts.

“The value of this information lies in the ability to simultaneously observe social, economic, and environmental dimensions,” said Fabiana Argandoña, researcher and coordinator of the SDSN Bolivia technical team. “A territory may show significant progress in certain areas while, at the same time, facing setbacks that compromise its long-term sustainability.”

An Open Tool for Better Understanding Bolivia

The Atlas was built using a harmonized database covering 2012 to 2024, compiling over 100,000 observations across demographic, economic, social, and environmental dimensions. The information is openly available on the Bolivia SDG Atlas platform, allowing users to see results and conduct analyses at various scales — whether for academic research, public planning, or decision-making.

The methodology adapts the approach developed by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) — used to measure national progress on the SDGs via the SDG Index — to Bolivia’s specific context and data availability. Rather than simply establishing a ranking, the Atlas aims to highlight territorial differences, identify gaps, and recognize progress, thereby guiding better development decisions.

From Data to Action

Answering the question "How has Bolivia changed over the last 12 years?" involves much more than simply knowing whether the country is better or worse off. It entails recognizing which territories and sectors have advanced, where gaps persist, and what challenges will shape the country's development in the coming years. It allows us to learn from successful strategies and correct mistakes.

The Bolivia SDG Atlas 2026 makes this information available to governments, academia, organizations, researchers, and the general public with a central purpose: to ensure data fosters a better understanding of reality and translates into concrete decisions and actions for building sustainable development in every territory.

The platform can be accessed at atlasods.sdsnbolivia.org.

A Collective Effort

The Atlas is the result of over a year of work by a multidisciplinary team at the SDSN’s Bolivia Network (SDSN Bolivia), alongside specialists, academic institutions, and partner organizations that contributed to the research, development, review, printing, and dissemination processes.

The project was supported by the Solydes Foundation, BancoSol, and Conservation International Bolivia, as well as the UNDP, CAF, IRD, FES, the Bolivian Academy of Economic Sciences, WCS, Fundación Ciudad, INESAD, Conservación Amazónica, and the IES Foundation. It also benefited from the collaboration of AMB, FAM Bolivia, AFD, BambooTec, Análisis Real, CIS, and AVILAB.

The publication also incorporated input from specialists on its Technical Review Committee, strengthening the rigor and quality of the results. The 2026 SDG Atlas for Bolivia is, ultimately, a collective effort to place high-quality evidence at the service of sustainable development and to better understand a country changing in different ways across its territories.