HOW TO FIND A JOB IN BOLIVIA
Bolivia is located in west-central South America and is landlocked. It borders Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay to the southeast, Argentina to the south, Chile to the southwest and Peru to the west. It is a very poor state with a weak economy by the standards of many Latin American countries.
Jobs in Bolivia for foreigners in 2024 is very limited and available mainly to in-demand specialists for the local labor market. The specifics of labor migration, finding a job, demanded vacancies, and wage levels in Bolivia are discussed below.
Labor migration in Bolivia
The population of Bolivia in 2024 is just over 12 million people. It is a diverse state not only culturally, but also geographically. It is home to some of the highest cities in the world, the largest salt flat and part of the Amazon rainforest. Bolivia boasts one of the lowest crime rates in South America. The only exception is the city of Santa Cruz.
It is estimated that Bolivia has the largest indigenous population in South America, most of whom are Quechua Indians. White people make up about 15% of the population and are mostly represented in the major cities. Afro-Bolivians, along with Bolivians of Asian descent, make up a small portion of the population. In general, about 70% of Bolivians are mestizo (of mixed Spanish and Amerindian descent).
Bolivia has large amounts of natural gas, which is exported mainly to Brazil and Argentina. Nevertheless, the country remains one of the least developed in the region due to ineffective government policies aimed at discouraging foreign investment. In addition to mining, it produces goods such as textiles, clothing, jewelry, food, beverages and tobacco.
Legal work in Bolivia for foreigners involves meeting a number of prerequisites. It is necessary to find an employer in advance, sign a contract, obtain a work permit and obtain a work visa. For long-term employment (1 year or more) will require a residence permit. In this case, the priority to occupy the vacancy have local citizens. In most cases, the applicant must have a profession that will significantly benefit the economy of Bolivia.
Important. Bolivian nationals must constitute at least 85 percent of the staff in a local company.
Job search. Jobs and wages in Bolivia.
The official languages in Bolivia are Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, Guarani and several other indigenous languages. For a successful job search in Bolivia, in addition to the in-demand profession, skill level and experience, a job seeker from abroad needs a good command of English. And often Bolivian employers make knowledge of Spanish a prerequisite.
Bolivia has always been a mining country with a fairly large stock of its own natural resources. Foreign specialists can find jobs in the oil, mining, forestry and agricultural sectors, as well as in telecommunications and construction. It is worth noting that official work in Bolivia is available to less than half of the locals.
Traditionally for Latin American countries in Bolivia there is a certain demand for teachers of English. Santa Cruz International School, Bolivian American International School, and Highlands International School are all good places to look for vacancies. Accredited foreign teachers can earn up to $500 a month.
Popular job search sites in Bolivia
The main flow of migrant workers goes to the capital of Bolivia – Sucre, as well as the largest cities – La Paz and Santa Cruz. This is where the offices of international corporations and major Bolivian employers are located. Write a competent resume and cover letter, preferably in Spanish, and send job offers directly to companies.
Fly to Bolivia as a tourist. Try to find jobs locally. Visit topical forums, register on professional social networking site LinkedIn, collect information about jobs in Bolivia online. The official minimum wage in the country is 2,362 Bolivian Bolivianos per month, equivalent to $340. Before taxes, the average wage in Bolivia in 2023 is about 4,000-5,000 bolivianos per month ($580-725).
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