The country’s economic situation worsens and the personal finances of Bolivians deteriorate, study reveals

The country’s economic situation is worsening and The personal economy of Bolivians living in the central axis weakens, revealed – among other aspects – a study prepared by the firm Ipsos CIESMORI, based on a survey carried out in the four most important cities of the trunk axis: La Paz, El Alto, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz.

The study, called Public Opinion Monitor 2024 Third Quarterhighlighted that the 81% rate the country’s economy as “very weak,” being that in the second quarter that perception was 68%. The sample size was 1,200 cases and a universe of men and women over 18 years of age.

The personal financial situation also shows a deterioration. 65% of all respondents say that their economy is very weak to the third quarter of 2024, while in the same period of 2023, that perception belonged to 61%.

In La Paz, 64% of respondents rated their financial situation as “very weak.” In Santa Cruz, this percentage was 67%, in Cochabamba 58% and in El Alto 69%. “Only a small percentage of the population in these cities considers that their financial situation is very strong”reported the study.

The document also noted that distrust in public institutions and concern for Inflation and unemployment are recurring themes.

“In the four cities there was an increase in the percentage of people who consider that “The country is not on the right path.”indicated the Public Opinion Monitor.

50% of those surveyed report economic difficulties, against 12% who feel comfortable with their finances. Women, households with minors and people from La Paz are the segments that report the most difficulties. Likewise, the 79% of respondents expressed that they expect an increase in the inflation rate and the number of unemployed (78%) for next year. However, 24% expect their disposable income to increase.

The lack of dollars It is perceived as the factor that most affects the current economic situation (84%). Two-thirds of respondents have had difficulty obtaining dollars in the last month, reflecting the shortage of foreign currency in the country. “About half of those surveyed are in favor of gradually withdrawing the fuel subsidy,” the report added.

Private companies enjoy a positive opinion among 70% of those surveyed, while public companies have a negative perception of 66%. The media They have a positive opinion of 44%, although it has decreased compared to previous quarters.

Banks, on the other hand, have a positive perception of 48%, but have also seen an increase in negative opinion, which reaches 37%.

The perception of President Luis Arce after the “coup attempt” is mostly negative, with a 40% who believe that their image was weakened.

84% of those surveyed disagree with the Bolivian government’s recognition of Nicolás Maduro as the winner of the elections in Venezuela. Furthermore, eight out of ten believe that there was fraud in these elections.

The evaluation of the work of the INE in the Census 2024 is mostly negativethe proportion that rates their job as “bad or very bad” went from 35% in April to 48% in September, after presenting the preliminary results of the Census.

The majority of those surveyed consider that the measures taken by the authorities to control forest fires are insufficient.