Empirical analysis of determinants of coca leaf consumption behavior in Bolivia period 2006-2021

This study consolidates knowledge about the determinants of coca leaf consumption in Bolivia. Applying conditional pooled models combined with Machine Learning techniques, use the Household Surveys available at the Bolivian INE. There are two populations at risk of becoming a long-term structural well-being problem indigenous peasant native nations and peoples, and those who are in extreme poverty. The compensatory effect appears by substituting goods from the basic food basket for coca leaves, which disappears when they have higher educational levels and better income. Smoking and drinking alcohol behave as complementary goods.