Your quick guide on talent and labor compliance norms in Bolivia
Capital
La Paz
Currency
Bolivian Boliviano (BOB)
Languages
Spanish, Aymara, Quechua, Chiquitano, Guarani
Payroll Frequency
Monthly
GDP per Capita
$3,960
Employer Tax
16.71% (18.71%)
Talent Overview
Bolivia is classified as a lower-middle-income country by the World Bank. It has a history of single commodity focus, such as silver to tin to cocoa. The region is mired by political instability, making it hard for the agricultural center to progress. However, the country’s mining export dominate its economy.
Major economic hubs:
La Paz
Skills in demand:
Logistics Professionals, Marketing Professionals, Information Technology Professionals, Engineering Professionals, Teaching Professionals
Local Universities
The top local universities in Bolivia are as follows:
Local: 1
World: 2038
Local: 2
World: 2559
Local: 3
World: 2562
Local: 4
World: 2969
Local: 5
World: 3364
Salary Data
Some common jobs with average monthly salaries in Bolivia are mentioned below:
| Job Title | Average Monthly Salary (BOB) | Average Monthly Salary (USD) |
| Business Intelligence Analyst | 9,280 | 1,324 |
| Business Systems Analyst | 7,350 | 1,049 |
| ERP Analyst | 9,300 | 1,327 |
| Software Engineer | 8,230 | 1,174 |
| Technical Analyst | 7,490 | 1,069 |
| Solutions Architect | 10,900 | 1,555 |
| Salesforce Administrator | 7,730 | 1,103 |
Talent Sourcing Tips
Hiring employees in Bolivia is fairly straightforward when you have a strong grasp on its employment laws, benefits, payroll, and tax systems. You can better your knowledge for hiring and onboarding talents in Bolivia successfully.
Employment contracts in Bolivia can be either oral or written and are accepted as indefinite. However, the first 90 days are considered a trial period. The contract must be drafted in Spanish
The probationary period for new employees starts from 1 month up to 6 months.
| Date | Name | Type |
| 1 Jan | New Year’s Day | National holiday |
| 22 Jan | Plurinational State Foundation Day | National holiday |
| 12 Feb | Carnival / Shrove Monday | National holiday |
| 13 Feb | Carnival / Shrove Tuesday / Pancake Day | National holiday |
| 29 Mar | Good Friday | National holiday, Christian |
| 1 May | Labor Day / May Day | National holiday |
| 30 May | Corpus Christi | National holiday |
| 21 Jun | Aymara New Year Day | National holiday |
| 6 Aug | Independence Day | National holiday |
| 17 Oct | Day of Dignity | National holiday |
| 2 Nov | All Saints Day | National holiday |
| 25 Dec | Christmas Day | National holiday, Christian |
| Type of Leave | Time Period | Mandatory |
| Annual Leave | 15 days | Yes |
| Sick Leave | 5 days | Yes |
| Maternity Leave | 12 weeks | Yes |
Payroll
Payroll Cycle
The employees are paid monthly.
Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in Bolivia is BOB2,250.00 per month.
Overtime Pay
Employees are entitled to 200% of the normal rate for overtime for a maximum of two hours per day as approved by the Labour Inspection. For holidays and public rest days, the wage rate is also 200% of the normal rate.
Bonus
The 13th-month pay is equivalent to one month’s worth of wage. Bolivia also requires a 14th-month pay depending on the GDP or annual profits of the company.
Taxes
| Type of Contribution | Contribution |
| Social Security | 16.71% (18.71% for Mining) |
| Type of Contribution | Contribution |
| Social Security | 12.71% |
Individuals are taxed at a rate constant rate of 13%.
The VAT in Bolivia is 13%.
Offboarding & Termination
An employment contract can be terminated by both parties, provided either party gives a statutory notice under the General Labour Act. If the employee fails to submit a 30-day notice, they must pay 90 days worth of salary to the employer. The employee may also terminate without notice by paying in lieu of notice.
There is no mandatory notice period for jobs in Bolivia, but there must be within a reasonable time before terminating a job entirely. For probationary employees, the notice period is from 2 – 7 days. While regular employees have a notice period of 1 – 3 months.
The severance pay is given with a minimum of five years of service. The pay is the monthly salary multiplied by the number of years of service. The first three months of probation are deducted from the severance pay.
Visa and Immigration
Applying for business visas in Bolivia requires documents such as a Business Cover Letter from your employer and a letter of invitation from an organization situated in Bolivia. You must also have proof of travel arrangements along with entry and exit dates. You must also provide a police clearance in order to process your business visa application in Bolivia.
