Bolivia · ECONOMY
Key Facts
- —Official rate 12.26 bolivianos per US dollar on 2 September 2026; the rate for 31 August was 11.92
- —Peg history 6.96 to sell a dollar and 6.86 to buy one, unchanged since November 2011 until June 2026
- —Reserves Foreign-currency reserves excluding gold fell from US$897 million at end-May to US$472 million at end-July, then recovered to about US$800 million
- —Trade surplus US$155 million with China in first half of 2026
- —New regime Daily rate set as weighted average of banks’ dollar purchases
The end of a 15-year peg has reshaped Bolivia’s currency market, while trade with China hits a milestone.
Bolivia’s exchange rate has risen about 76% since June, moving from a long-standing peg to a flexible system. The official rate stands at 12.26 bolivianos to the US dollar for Wednesday 2 September, according to the Banco Central de Bolivia.
The parallel rate is around 12.21, a gap of under one percent.
A New Flexible Regime
Bolivia’s exchange rate began its shift on 26 June 2026, when the government adopted a flexible regime. This change came through Ministerial Resolution 245/2026 and BCB Board Resolution 88/2026.
The new system replaced a de facto peg, 6.96 bolivianos to sell a dollar and 6.86 to buy one, that had held unchanged since November 2011. Under the flexible regime, the official rate is set daily as a weighted average of banks’ dollar purchases from clients.
The Rate Rises 76%
As a result, Bolivia’s exchange rate has risen about 76% since June. The Banco Central de Bolivia set the official rate at 12.26 bolivianos to the US dollar for 2 September 2026.
Its series shows the rate at 11.92 on 31 August and 12.12 on 1 September. The parallel rate now sits around 12.21, so the two have all but converged.
Why the Peg Ended
Ending a de facto peg usually means the currency finds a much weaker level quickly. A de facto peg means the central bank holds the rate at a fixed level without formally committing to it.
Therefore, the move to a flexible regime was a significant policy shift. It allowed the boliviano to reflect market conditions more directly.
Reserves Fluctuate
Fitch Ratings reported a sharp fall in foreign-currency reserves excluding gold. They went from US$897 million at the end of May to US$472 million at the end of July 2026.
They then recovered to about US$800 million by 14 August 2026. However, Fitch warns it is unclear whether that marks the start of a sustained recovery.
The central bank’s president, David Espinoza, put its intervention capacity at US$639 million on 30 July. By 1 September he said high-liquidity reserves had reached US$1,134 million, adding that the new regime had allowed the bank to accumulate more than US$400 million in little over a month.
Trade Surplus With China
Meanwhile, Bolivia recorded its first trade surplus with China in the first half of 2026. The surplus was US$155 million, with exports of US$1,406 million against imports of US$1,251 million.
IBCE is Bolivia’s foreign trade institute. It says this is the first time since at least 2000 that bilateral trade with China has shown a positive balance.
This milestone comes as Bolivia’s exchange rate adjusts to new realities.
Impact on Businesses
For businesses, the new exchange rate means higher costs for imports and a different landscape for exports. Companies must now track daily rates instead of relying on a fixed peg.
Still, the flexible regime could make Bolivia’s exports more competitive. For example, a weaker boliviano makes Bolivian goods cheaper for foreign buyers.
What It Means for Travelers
Travelers to Bolivia will find the official and parallel rates have converged, ending years in which the street rate ran far above the official one. However, they should be aware that rates can change daily.
In short, the era of a stable 6.96 rate is over. Bolivia’s exchange rate now reflects market dynamics, and visitors should plan accordingly.
Looking Ahead
Bolivia reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund in early August for US$1.9 billion, its first programme with the fund in more than two decades. The government says it is negotiating a wider multilateral package of US$7 billion to US$10 billion.
Even so, Fitch’s caution about reserve recovery highlights uncertainty. Bolivia’s exchange rate will likely remain a key topic for months to come.
Bolivia’s Exchange Rate in Context
Overall, Bolivia’s exchange rate has risen about 76% since June, a dramatic shift for the Andean nation. The move from a peg to a flexible regime is a major economic event.
As the country adjusts, both challenges and opportunities arise. The coming months will show how the new system holds up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bolivia’s official exchange rate now?
The Banco Central de Bolivia set the official rate at 12.26 bolivianos to the US dollar for 2 September 2026. That is 76% above the previous peg of 6.96 bolivianos per dollar.
When did Bolivia change its exchange rate system?
The flexible regime began on 26 June 2026. It ended a de facto peg that had lasted about 15 years.
Why did Bolivia’s currency depreciate so much?
Ending a de facto peg usually leads to a weaker currency as market forces take over. The central bank now sets the rate daily based on banks’ dollar purchases.
How have Bolivia’s foreign reserves changed?
Fitch Ratings reported that foreign-currency reserves excluding gold fell from US$897 million at end-May to US$472 million at end-July, then recovered to about US$800 million by 14 August. The central bank put them at US$1,134 million on 1 September.
Total net international reserves, four-fifths of them gold, stood at US$4,255 million on 14 August. However, it is unclear if this recovery will last.
Connected Coverage
Sources: Banco Central de Bolivia; Fitch Ratings; IBCE; El Deber; El Diario; El Mundo.
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