Bolivia's Ministry of Finance reported that gross domestic product (GDP) contracted 3.27% in the first half of 2026, compared with a 0.31% decline in the first quarter. GDP fell 5.94% from a year earlier in the second quarter. The assessment links the deterioration mainly to 53 days of roadblocks in May and June that disrupted the movement of people, goods and production inputs. Gasoline and diesel shortages compounded the disruption by restricting the movement of vehicles and machinery. Nine of the 11 economic activities contracted in the second quarter. Construction recorded the steepest decline at 29.21%, reflecting reduced building activity and difficulties supplying materials. Transport and communications fell 14.50% as passenger and freight movements declined, while manufacturing contracted 11.33% amid lower food and basic metals production and shortages of raw materials. Over the first half, construction, transport and communications, trade, and manufacturing together subtracted 3.55 percentage points from economic growth, accounting for about 87% of the decline in gross value added. Manufacturing, agriculture and accommodation and food services moved from growth in the first quarter to contraction in the second, pushing their cumulative results into negative territory. Extractive activity, by contrast, grew 2.42% over the first half as silver and gold mining offset declining hydrocarbons output.

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