Índice de mala calidad del empleo para Latinoamérica: Evidencia por grupos de edad en Bolivia

Abstract

Abstract: The analysis is based on representative microdata from Bolivia's Economically Active Population (EAP), provided by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) in 2023. The main objective is to identify the different labor conditions across age groups and to examine the association between labor precariousness and sociodemographic variables such as gender, educational level, area of residence, and type of occupation. This study adopts a quantitative, non-experimental approach with a cross-sectional design. To identify relevant associations between variables, Chi-square tests were applied. Additionally, to determine which factors have the greatest influence on labor precariousness, a binary logistic regression model was used. The findings are quite revealing: the most adverse labor conditions are mainly concentrated among youth aged 15 to 24 and older adults over 65. In terms of informality, the rates reach 55% for the younger group and rise to 67% for the elderly. Social protection levels are also concerning, with 75% of youth and 80% of older adults facing this type of vulnerability. The lack of access to social security and the high instability present in everyday life are clear indicators of elevated labor vulnerability in these groups. The probability of obtaining employment though often low-quality or precarious is also higher, particularly in rural areas and among those with limited formal education. This confirms that structural disparities persist in Bolivia s labor market. Overall, the findings highlight enduring occupational inequalities based on age and geography, which could be mitigated through targeted policies focused on training, social protection, and job formalization for the most vulnerable sectors.