Food and nutrition insecurity in Latin America and the Caribbean

The problem of food and nutrition insecurity in the region has been widely studied in Latin America and the Caribbean. However, despite the progress achieved in the last four decades, much work remains in the effort to eliminate food and nutrition insecurity in the region. In light of the changes triggered by rising food prices and the global financial crisis, and the new challenges they present, the WFP Regional Office has asked ECLAC to begin a new line of work to strengthen analysis of the issues involved. ECLAC is to develop technical documents and venues for c…

Quality of Latin American and Caribbean industrialization and integration into the global economy

Despite an increase in manufacturing activity in Latin America and the Caribbean, the growth in value-added generated by exports of manufactures has been disappointing in most cases. Developing Asia excels not only in the volume of trade in which the manufacturing sector serves as its primary driving force but also in the generation of manufacturing value added (MVA);. Irrespective of growing manufactured exports, the Latin American economies have not experienced the kind of dynamic restructuring of domestic production and export patterns that would allow investment to become an engine of grow…

Briefing Note: The Global Crisis and its Impact on the OECS Countries, Economic and Social Implications.

Questionnaire and survey methodology. Saint Lucia: Survey of living condition and household budgets 2005/2006

This manual documents some of the material related to the Survey of Living Conditions and Household Budgets (SLC/HBS) conducted in Saint Lucia by the Kairi Consultants Limited and National Assessment Team between 2005 and 2006. The SLC/HBS is a sample survey which generates data on households and individuals in the country. The main objectives of this survey were (i) to collect information from households on their expenditure patterns, income and other characteristics and; (ii) to revise the 'average shopping basket' used in constructing the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the country…

CEPAL Review no.98

Macroeconomic policies in times of crisis: options and perspectives

The global economic crisis has put an end to a period of six consecutive years of growth in Latin America and the Caribbean, growth on a scale that had not been seen for decades. This crisis is different from those which had been seen in the past, not only because its origin is different but also because, as the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has reported on several occasions, the region is much better prepared to deal with it. The favourable international environment which had been enjoyed by most of the countries of the region in recent years went hand in han…

The status of demographic and health-related MDGs in Caribbean countries

Antigua and Barbuda: survey of living conditions and household budgets 2005: questionnaire and survey methodology

Antigua and Barbuda: survey of living conditions and household budgets 2005: user's manual

Climate change: selected economic dimensions

The paper highlights several key economic issues of the climate change debate. Section I states the need to adopt a precautionary approach to the climate change challenge in the face of uncertainty; while Section II illustrates the key economic drivers of climate change. Section III provides an analysis of the economic gains and losses posed by climate change and the inequalities implied by the regional and sectoral distribution of these gains and losses; and Section IV explores potential economic tools for addressing climate change, namely emissions taxes, cap and trade regimes, command and…

Social Panorama of Latin America 2008

A constant in the Social Panorama of Latin America is the chapter on poverty dynamics in Latin America. The 2008 edition is no exception. Up-to-date estimates and analyses of the relevant figures, based on household surveys conducted in 18 countries, are provided for the year 2007. Three other chapters focus on the specific topics of the new employment-related target which has been incorporated into the Millennium Development Goals, the demographic dividend as an opportunity for expanding secondary education coverage, and the issue of youth violence and family violence as viewed from a…

Methodological Guide for developing Environmental and Sustainable Development Indicators in Latin American and Caribbean countries

This methodological guide is intended as a practical tool for the design and implementation of systems of national indicators to evaluate the success of environmental and sustainable development initiatives, and to define policymaking priorities. The methodology derives from work carried out in Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries keeping in mind that the manner in which indicators are constructed and updated has an impact on their overall quality and possible uses.…

The reactions of the governments of Latin America and the Caribbean to the international crisis: an overview of policy measures up to 31 May 2009

CEPAL Review no.97

Summit of the Americas 1994-2009: selected indicators

ForewordThe present document was prepared by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) for consideration by the Heads of State and Government at the fifth Summit of the Americas. It provides an overview, in figures, of the most important development trends, issues and challenges facing the countries that are part of the Summit process. The differences between countries are so marked in practically every area that the Americas do not, by any means, constitute a single homogeneous reality and, clearly, it would be futile and ill-advised to attempt to treat them as such.…

Analysis of selected millennium development goals in Nicaragua

This study presents an analysis of factors related to selected Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in education, health and water and sanitation in Nicaragua. Using available household survey data, complemented with selected supply side data, empirical econometric models of education enrolment, child mortality and the provision of water and sanitation are employed to examine the relationship of individual, household and municipal factors to the achievement of these MDGs. The MDG formulation also provides for a comparison of two different modelling methodologies, the standard logit estimation f…

An econometric study of the determinants of tourism competitiveness in the Caribbean

Preliminary overview of the Caribbean economies, 2008-2009

This report addresses the main features of the evolution of Caribbean economies during 2008 and, especially, the prospects for 2009 in the context of the ongoing international financial crisis and economic turmoil. As is well known, small open economies, such as those of the Caribbean, are highly influenced by developments in the world economy through a variety of channels of transmission that include international trade, tourist arrivals, remittances, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and external financing. The intensity of these effects will depend, among other things, on the fiscal position,…

Landlocked countries in South America: transport system challenges

This report analyses the current state of the landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) Bolivia and Paraguay. The report analyses the traditional topics (1) infrastructure at national level and connectivity towards adjacent countries; (2) the recent development in international laws and treaties and (3) cross-border operation. Beyond these traditional topics the report evaluates the level of international transport costs and the potential impact on trade. It further presents the currently induced over costs in logistic chains, which pose an additional burden to the competitiveness of the countri…

Anuario Estadístico de América Latina y el Caribe 2008 = Statistical Yearbook of Latin America and the Caribbean 2008

La presente edición del Anuario estadístico de América Latina y el Caribe, 2008 mantiene el contenido y el diseño de los últimos tres años. El Anuario pretende responder a las exigencias de los usuarios que requieren de información estadística para el análisis de la situación económica y social de la región. El Anuario cuenta con cuatro capítulos. En el primero se presentan los indicadores demográficos y sociales, que reflejan el esfuerzo especial realizado para incluir la dimensión de género en la información estadística. En el segundo se reúnen las estadísticas económicas básicas, de comerci…