The vast majority of Bolivians are mestizo (with the indigenous component higher than the European one) and makeup 68% of the Bolivian population. Indigenous population constitute 20% of the population and could be categorized by geographic areas, such as Andean, like the Aymaras and Quechuas (who formed the ancient Inca Empire), who are concentrated in the western departments of La Paz, Potosí, Oruro, Cochabamba, and Chuquisaca. There also are ethnic populations in the east, composed of the Chiquitano, Chané, Guaraní, and Moxos, among others, who inhabit the departments of Santa Cruz, Beni, Tarija, and Pando.

White at 5%, cholo at 2%, black at 1%, others at 4%, while 2% were unspecified;  There are also important communities of Japanese and Lebanese.