BOLIVIA: AN EXEMPLAR IN FAMILY PLANNING
Bolivia increased modern contraceptive prevalence from 12% in 1994 to 34% in 2020. This exemplary progress reflects a sustained commitment to voluntary family planning through evolving national priorities and circumstances.
Modern contraceptive prevalence rate (%)
Bolivia compared with other Family Planning Exemplar countries
Research Brief
Facing high maternal mortality rates, Bolivia launched its first National Reproductive Health Program in 1994 and established family planning as a central strategy for improving maternal and child health. In 2006, with the election of its first indigenous president, Bolivia reimagined voluntary family planning through the lens of women’s rights and empowerment, becoming one of only seven Latin American countries to enshrine reproductive rights in its constitution:
“Women and men are guaranteed the exercise of their sexual and reproductive rights.”
Article 66, Constitution of 2009
Bolivia’s constitutional commitment was realized through reforms that aligned with evolving priorities. Education reforms centered women, girls, and indigenous communities, expanding opportunities and equipping them with knowledge and tools to make more informed decisions about their health. When donor support declined, Bolivia reinforced its commitment to family planning through innovative financing and procurement mechanisms and expanded private sector service delivery through pharmacies. By prioritizing sustainability and building a strong enabling environment, Bolivia responded to the needs of women across the country and considerably improved family planning outcomes.