Trayectorias sociales de jóvenes comerciantes ambulantes en la ciudad de El Alto

• Main Author: Héctor Luna Acevedo
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Institut Français d'Études Andines 2015-12-01
• Series: Bulletin de l'Institut Français d'Études Andines
• Subjects: social history; street vendors; youth; El Alto
• Online Access: http://journals.openedition.org/bifea/7700

Informal trade is an important source of income for young street vendors in the city of El Alto. Those between 15 and 30 represents, according to the 2012 census 30% of the total population of the municipality where a significant proportion of young people in addition to working study in secondary school or higher education center. This reality expresses a combination between business and studying. Both are essential to ensure a professional and social future to obtain a status in the urban context. Similarly, the needs of family environment influence youth to participate in commercial activities. Added to this are factors such as the need immediate income, schedule flexible, job independence, the ability to decide for one selves its activities and the facility to manage time between training and street trading.