Moderate fall of poverty rate in Bolivia

Bolivia: Poverty in Bolivia reached the lowest rate of the last 10 years, according to a Jubilee Bolivia Foundation's report published by Cambio daily on Monday.

The non-governmental organization reported that out of 10 million people, there are about six million poor and three million of them are extremely poor.

The Economic and Social Policy Analysis Unit (UDAPE) pointed out the moderate poverty rate decreased from 66.4 to 59.3 percent in the 2000-2008 period.

According to that information, the extreme poverty dropped from 45.2 to 32.7 percent in the same period, which represents less than 12.5 percentage points.

Jubilee said it is a relief that poverty rates are on downward trend, although it added that this will depend on its sustainability, development policies and the rise of activities to step up production and to generate jobs. Bolivia has signed a 20-million-dollar loan in February with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to the first phase of the "Plan Vida" (Plan Life) to eradicate extreme poverty.

The program has already begun in Potosi, Cochabamba and Pando, contributing with more than two million families.

La Paz, Prensa Latina