By Leon J Williams
Evo Morales became the Bolivian president in January 2006, his predecessor Eduardo Rodriguez was in power for just six months prior to this and before him was Carlos Mesa who was in power from 2003.
I’ve taken a look at three lots of statistics:
Human Development Index (HDI) 2004 & 2005-2011 (2003 data seems unavailable)
GDP (nominal) (2003-2011) (based on USD in millions)
GDP (PPP) per capita (2003-2011)
HDI
Mesa/Rodriguez era
2004-2005 -43 points
2005-2006 +1 point
Evo Morales era
2006-2007 -5 points
2007-2008 +6 points
2008-2009 +4 points
2010-2011 +7 points
GDP (nominal)
Mesa/Rodriguez era
2003-2004 717
2004-2005 765
2005-2006 1945
Evo Morales era
2006-2007 1773
2007-2008 3310
2008-2009 862
2009-2010 2346
2010-2011 4250
GDP (PPP) per capita
Mesa/Rodriguez era
2003-2004 151
2004-2005 210
2005-2006 144
Evo Morales era
2006-2007 235
2007-2008 256
2008-2009 96
2009-2010 154
2010-2011 244
Although HDI figures are not out for the following period there is date for 2011-2012 for GDP which is as follows:
GDP (nominal) 2689
GDP (PPP) pc 224
Clearly there must have been some turmoil following Evo Morales landslide election victory but even then and thereafter the statistics show clearly that the effects of President Morales policies which have included (but of course not limited to) a series of nationalisations in various sectors.
The worst period for Bolivia in terms of standard of living was 2004-2005
The best period for Bolivia in terms of standard of living was 2010-2011
The worst period for Bolivia in terms of GDP (nominal) was 2003-2004
The best period for Bolivia in terms of GDP (nominal) was 2011-2012
The worst period for Bolivia in terms of GDP (PPP) pc was 2008-2009
The best period for Bolivia in terms of GDP (PPP) pc was 2007-2008
So while it isn’t a complete whitewash for Evo Morales it’s clear that the nationalisations and general policies in Bolivia enacted by the president and his party are having a massive, positive impact on the country and its people.
Evo Morales’ brand of socialism is working.
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