Hope with Demands | Esperanza con exigencias

By El Diario:

According to Ipsos Ciesmori Poll Report

Government Radiates Hope, but People Demand Jobs and Economic Improvement

  • There is confidence in the new government and hope among the population that solutions will come in a way that does not harm vulnerable families.

The beginning of President Rodrigo Paz Pereira’s administration is marked by notable—though not yet consolidated—optimism. According to Ipsos Ciesmori’s special report Expectations for the New Government, 51% of respondents described themselves as “very optimistic” about the country’s future under the new administration, compared to only 13% who feel pessimistic. However, a significant portion of citizens—36%—remains neutral (“neither optimistic nor pessimistic”), reflecting a cautious wait-and-see attitude toward the government’s early actions.

Economic analysts noted that Bolivia is facing an energy and economic crisis, along with institutional challenges and high inflation. This situation has led the country into stagflation—rising prices without growth.

Experts and business leaders have repeatedly warned that Bolivia’s labor market is overwhelmingly informal—about 85% informal versus only 15% formal employment. They have urged authorities to adopt measures to reverse this trend, as job opportunities decline and purchasing power erodes each day.

Survey Details

The survey was conducted online by Ipsos Ciesmori between October 24 and November 5, 2025. The results capture public sentiment just before the presidential inauguration.

The main feeling among respondents about the start of the new government is hope, which leads social attitudes with 39%. When combined with expectation (22%), over 60% of respondents express a positive or constructively expectant outlook. On the other hand, the main feeling of caution is uncertainty, cited by 18% of respondents.

Demands and Expectations

The top and most widespread priority for the first three months of the new government is economic reactivation and job creation, a categorical demand expressed by 63% of respondents. This concern dominates across all major cities, peaking in Cochabamba (71%), according to the report.

About 46% of the population expects an improvement in their personal and family economic situation during the first year of the new administration. This optimism is tempered by caution: 26% believe their situation will “remain the same,” while 14% anticipate it will worsen.

Support for Key Proposals

There is broad public backing for three of the main actions proposed by the new government, with approval levels ranging between 65% and 80%.

The reduction of ministries is the most popular measure, supported by 80% of respondents, followed by restoring diplomatic relations with the United States, backed by 71%. Meanwhile, the proposal to target fuel subsidies only to vulnerable sectors by adjusting prices is less consensual but still enjoys a majority approval of 65%.

Regarding President Paz’s ability to unite the country, most of the population (67%) has positive expectations. However, partial unity is the prevailing belief: 48% expect him to unite “some sectors,” while only 19% believe he will achieve unity among “all or most sectors,” according to the report.

By age group, optimism is strongest among Generation X (63%) and Baby Boomers (55%), while Centennials are the least optimistic (37%) and the most pessimistic (21%), indicating greater distrust or lower expectations among younger voters.

51% say they feel optimistic about the country’s future under the new government.

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