Economic impacts of population ageing in Latin America and the Caribbean: challenges and opportunities

This document analyses the economic implications of rapid population ageing in Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting both the challenges it poses for economic growth, the labour market, and the sustainability of social policies, as well as the opportunities it presents to boost various economic sectors in the region. Based on demographic and economic data, the ongoing structural transformation is examined, with particular emphasis on the increase in the population aged 65 and over. The study reviews the conceptual approaches that enable an understanding of the various dimensions of age…

Examining educational inequality across the economic life cycle in Brazil on the basis of 2018 national transfer accounts

This study examines educational inequality throughout the economic life cycle in Brazil on the basis of age-disaggregated data from 2018 national transfer accounts and household heads’ education levels. The analysis confirms patterns observed two decades ago, revealing marked disparities in the life cycle deficit —the gap between labour income and consumption— across education groups. Young people in less educated households rely heavily on public transfers to meet their consumption needs. Meanwhile, older persons across all education groups depend heavily on public transfers. With declining c…

Demographic Observatory of Latin America and the Caribbean 2024. Population Prospects and Rapid Demographic Changes in the First Quarter of the Twenty-first Century in Latin America and the Caribbean

This 2024 edition of the Demographic Observatory presents the main demographic indicators for Latin America and the Caribbean according to the 2024 revision of population estimates and projections of the United Nations, comparing them with the 2000 revision to highlight the main demographic changes in the region since the turn of the twenty-first century. Analysis of the two revisions shows that birth and death rates declined more rapidly than anticipated in 2000, except during the pandemic, when the death rate climbed sharply, and that net migration was lower than expected. The change in the …

Population, Development and Rights in Latin America and the Caribbean: second regional report on the implementation of the Montevideo Consensus on Population and Development

Eleven years on from the adoption of the Montevideo Consensus on Population and Development and 30 years on from the adoption of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development, in Cairo in 1994, this second regional report on the implementation of the Montevideo Consensus outlines progress in the implementation of its priority measures in Latin America and the Caribbean over the period 2018–2023, taking into consideration the specific characteristics of each country and the varying degrees of implementation. By collating, systemizing and analysing a wide …

Report on the activities conducted by the Latin American and Caribbean Demographic Centre (CELADE)-Population Division of ECLAC during the period 2022–2024

Over the past two years, the activities of the Latin American and Caribbean Demographic Centre (CELADE)-Population Division of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) have been governed by subprogramme 6 of the programme of work of the ECLAC system (Population and development) and by resolutions 743(XXXVIII) “Regional Conference on Population and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean” and 760(XXXIX) “Regional Conference on Population and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean”, adopted at the thirty-eighth and thirty-ninth sessions of ECLAC, respect…

Honduras: challenges of constructing a non-contributory pension system

Overview of non-contributory pension systems in Latin America and the Caribbean: analysis of their evolution and their role in old-age economic security

Argentina: the situation of non-contributory pension systems and the challenges confronting them

Population, Development and Rights in Latin America and the Caribbean: draft second regional report on the implementation of the Montevideo Consensus on Population and Development

Ten years on from adoption of the Montevideo Consensus on Population and Development, this draft second regional report outlines progress on application of its priority measures in Latin America and the Caribbean from 2018 to the present, considering the specific characteristics of each country and the varying levels of implementation. By collating, systemizing and analysing a wide range of national information and experiences, and thus drawing conclusions and making recommendations that can be applied to the region, this document facilitates sharing of good practices among the countries. The …

Report of the Twenty-First Meeting of the Monitoring Committee of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee

Population and development in the Caribbean (2018–2023): accelerating implementation of the Montevideo Consensus

This study reports on progress made in the implementation of the Montevideo Consensus on Population and Development in the Caribbean subregion over the period 2018–2023. It begins by presenting an analysis of demographic trends in the Caribbean before addressing each of the thematic sections of the Montevideo Consensus, reviewing policies and programmes implemented by governments and civil society organizations, assessing the impact of those actions, and making recommendations to accelerate implementation of the Consensus. The study discusses projected population declines, population ageing an…

Aging in Latin America and the Caribbean from the Perspective of National Transfer Accounts

This report is the fruit of collaboration between the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). It describes ageing based on the socioeconomic profiles of older persons in the subregion, from the perspective of national transfer accounts. The report analyses the profiles of labour income and consumption; the life cycle deficit; financing the system for older persons; the interactions between consumption, health, and population ageing; the economic support ratio; and public policies that provide transfers to older persons. I…

The Sociodemographic and Economic Context of Aging in Latin America

With the aim of providing an overview of the current knowledge available on the health and well-being of older people in the Region of the Americas at the beginning of the United Nations Decade of Healthy Aging (2021-2030) as well as reporting on population aging in the Region, this report provides updated information on the sociodemographic and economic conditions of older people using a multidimensional and people-centered approach. It covers the demographic, geographical, sociocultural, and family characteristics of older people in Latin America, and describes their economic and health situ…

Report of the Fifth Regional Intergovernmental Conference on Ageing and the Rights of Older Persons in Latin America and the Caribbean

CEPAL Review No. 140

Effects of the Continuous Benefit Programme on the nutritional status and food security of older persons in Brazil

Addressing the needs of older persons poses public-policy challenges. The obstacles that the poorest older persons face in securing their livelihoods, compounded by physiological and metabolic changes and the presence of chronic diseases, make them more vulnerable. This study evaluates the impact of the Continuous Benefit Programme (BPC) on the nutritional status and food security levels of older persons in Brazil, using a fuzzy regression discontinuity design with microdata drawn from the 2017–2018 Consumer Expenditure Survey (POF). On average, participation in the programme is found to incre…

The ageing Caribbean: 20 years of the Madrid Plan of Action

This report assess the situation of older persons and reviews the actions taken in Caribbean countries and territories, particularly over the past five years, to implement the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and related regional agreements. It contributes to the global and regional reviews of the Plan of Action, 20 years on from its adoption in 2002, and includes recommendations to further address population ageing and the rights of older persons in the Caribbean.…

Ageing in Latin America and the Caribbean: inclusion and rights of older persons

In Latin America and the Caribbean, population ageing —a demographic phenomenon that is characterized by an increase in the proportion of older persons and the lengthening of the life cycle— presents both opportunities and challenges for public policy. This document presents the report of Latin America and the Caribbean for the fourth review and appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002. The report analyses the current situation of ageing in the region and the protection of the human rights of older persons, highlighting the institutional progress made. It examines t…

Annotated provisional agenda. Fifth Regional Intergovernmental Conference on Ageing and the Rights of Older Persons in Latin America and the Caribbean

Provisional agenda. Fifth Regional Intergovernmental Conference on Ageing and the Rights of Older Persons in Latin America and the Caribbean