1982–1985 Bolivian economic crisis

The 1982–1985 Bolivian economic crisis was a major economic debacle that impacted Bolivian society and finances. It included a 1984–1985 period of hyperinflation and culminated with the October 1985 collapse of international tin prices. The inflation was in part caused by the monetary expansion to finance public sector deficit.

The price of non-fuel commodity goods other than tin also declined prior to the crisis and as Bolivia's economy remained reliant on commodities these price declines (and the sharp drop in case of tin) destabilized the economy. There was a 10% decline in real GDP from 1980 to 1985. The tin price collapse came just as the government was moving to reassert its control of Corporación Minera de Bolivia (COMIBOL), an until then important public company in Bolivia and a major actor in tin mining in Bolivia, which had for long been mismanaged.

Hyperinflation reached an annual rate of 24,000% during the crisis. In mid-1985 inflation stood at 20,000%. Social unrest, chronic strikes, and unchecked drug trafficking were widespread.

The economic system of Bolivia prior to the crisis has been described as one of state capitalism and dirigism.