Per capita GDP has grown more in 2003-2007 than at any other time since the 1970s. ECLAC projections indicate that this trend will continue in 2008, which will thus be the fifth year in a row in which per capita GDP has risen at over 3% per annum. This increase has made further progress in poverty reduction possible, together with a decline in unemployment. Some countries have seen improvements in income distribution as well. A number of problems persist, however, and Latin America continues to lag behind other regions in various areas. Levels of social and economic inequality remain extremely high. After rising sharply during the past decade, social expenditure -measured as a percentage of GDP- has been levelling off and continues to fall short in terms of the coverage of existing social needs. In addition, migratory flows continue to be spurred by unequal levels of development in various locations and areas within individual countries.

The Social Panorama of Latin America 2007 provides the latest poverty estimates available for the countries of Latin America. These estimates indicate that 36.5% of Latin America's population (195 million people) were poor and 13.4% (71 million) were extremely poor.

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Press release

	Positive Scenario for Improving Health Programmes for Indigenous Peoples
	States need to reformulate concepts and goals in this area, while indigenous organizations need to make use of and defend this basic service.
	ECLAC Calls for More Pro-Active Policies to Reduce Inequality in Educational Systems
	Priorities include lessening the stratification of educational models, compensating for disadvantages faced by the poorest students and improving the quality of education.
	Public Social Expenditure Shows Per Capita Growth of 10% Between 2002 and 2005
	According to the ECLAC report, in some countries, levels of expenditure are insufficient due to low tax burdens.
	Region Is On Track to Fulfil the Millennium Development Goal of Reducing Extreme Poverty By Half
	According to the ECLAC report, the number of people living in poverty continues to decline, and stands at 190 million in 2007.