The most populated departments of Bolivia, ranked from highest to lowest population
Most Populated Departments of Bolivia are
- Santa Cruz – 3,115,386
- La Paz – 3,022,566
- Cochabamba – 2,005,373
- Potosí – 856,419
- Chuquisaca – 600,132
- Oruro – 570,194
- Tarija – 534,348
- Beni – 477,441
- Pando – 130,761
Bolivia’s population is unevenly distributed across its nine departments, with most people concentrated in the country’s economic and administrative centers. Santa Cruz is currently the most populated department, driven by rapid urbanization, strong economic growth, and migration from other regions. Close behind is La Paz, historically the most populous department and home to the seat of government as well as the fast-growing city of El Alto. Cochabamba ranks third, benefiting from its central location, favorable climate, and agricultural productivity.
Together, Santa Cruz, La Paz, and Cochabamba account for a large majority of Bolivia’s population, making them the country’s most influential regions politically and economically. The remaining departments—such as Potosí, Chuquisaca, Oruro, Tarija, Beni, and Pando—are less populated, often due to geographic challenges, limited urbanization, or economic specialization. This population pattern strongly shapes Bolivia’s development priorities, infrastructure planning, and political representation.










