Provisional agenda. Thirteenth meeting of the Statistical Conference of the Americas of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

Annotated provisional agenda. Thirteenth meeting of the Statistical Conference of the Americas of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

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…

United States economic outlook: 2024 year-in-review and first half of 2025

In 2024, the United States economy expanded 2.8%, led by consumer spending. Job creation slowed and the unemployment rate edged up to 4.1% in December. Inflation eased to 2.4% in September but closed the year at 2.9%, with the core consumer price index (CPI) at 3.2%. The Federal Reserve cut rates in September, November and December, lowering the federal funds target range to 4.25%–4.50%, while trade and fiscal deficits widened. In the first half of 2025, GDP growth averaged 1.4%, with a contraction of 0.3% in the first quarter and an uptick of 3.3% in the second. From January to July, the eco…

Strengthening the artificial intelligence readiness of the Caribbean. Policy Brief

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems, when applied well, could help in addressing key global challenges and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, these potential benefits will not materialize automatically. The use of AI also carries significant risks, such as disruption to job markets and economies, loss of cultural diversity, new AI-enabled digital weapons that increase misinformation and surveillance, and threats to human rights and democracy. While AI systems could support the achievement of many of the SDGs , they could also impede the achievement of others and increa…

Methodology for the 2021 cycle of the International Comparison Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean

The 2021 cycle of the International Comparison Programme (ICP) reflects the commitment of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) to strengthening the region’s statistical systems and ensuring the Programme’s continuity, in keeping with the guidelines of the International Comparison Programme Global Office of the World Bank. Among the entities tasked with compiling economic data, ECLAC covers the third-highest number of countries and territories, although the region accounts for just 7.3% of global GDP. This was a significant challenge, all the more so given the con…

Agreements. Twenty-fourth meeting of the Executive Committee of the Statistical Conference of the Americas of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

Evaluation of the Strategic Plan, 2015–2025 and proposed thematic areas for the Strategic Plan, 2026–2035

Second report on the implementation of the Biennial programme of regional and international cooperation activities, 2024–2025, of the Statistical Conference of the Americas of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

CEPAL Review No. 145

On the measurement of growth over the long run

Methodologies for the construction of nominal and real gross domestic product (GDP) time series often differ over time and between countries. This paper discusses the main issues raised by this methodological heterogeneity for long-run measures of economic growth and, informed by these issues, provides a set of internationally comparable GDP estimates from 1820 to 2020. The estimates are based on real product benchmarks relative to the United Kingdom as the reference economy. The GDP time series of the reference economy is a normalized composite of several indices. These estimates suggest that…

Provisional agenda. Twenty-fourth meeting of the Executive Committee of the Statistical Conference of the Americas of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

Annotated provisional agenda. Twenty-fourth meeting of the Executive Committee of the Statistical Conference of the Americas of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

Main results of the 2021 cycle of the International Comparison Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean

This study presents the main results of the 2021 cycle of the International Comparison Programme (ICP) for Latin America and the Caribbean. It also includes an overview of the concepts and methods underlying the estimation of purchasing power parities (PPPs) and real expenditure.…

Anuario Estadístico de América Latina y el Caribe 2024 = Statistical Yearbook for Latin America and the Caribbean 2024

En el Anuario Estadístico de América Latina y el Caribe de la CEPAL se presenta un conjunto de estadísticas básicas que caracterizan la situación económica, sociodemográfica y ambiental de la región referidas a un período particular. Las versiones impresa y web del Anuario incluyen una selección de cuadros y gráficos orientados a brindar un resumen de la información estadística desde la perspectiva regional, privilegiando la comparabilidad internacional de los datos, como es el caso de la información sobre pobreza y sobre cuentas nacionales en dólares elaboradas por la CEPAL. Esta versión se e…

Development profile of ECLAC associate members: statistical report on the economic, social and environmental situation

This study presents a statistical analysis of the situation of AMCs, based on the data that is available, shedding light on their distinct circumstances. It reveals that while AMCs boast higher GDP per capita than many Caribbean member States, their economies have had low growth and are highly dependent on trade, with some territories recording concerning levels of public debt. Socially, the AMCs face an ageing population, varied poverty levels, and have disparate social protection systems. Environmentally, they face challenges due to disasters arising from natural hazards, although there has …

Subnational accounts: selected indicators for Latin America and the Caribbean

The main purpose of this issue is to describe the current status of subnational accounts in Latin America and the Caribbean, to detail the methodological considerations underpinning the estimates and to present, on the basis of available data, indicators that are published and disseminated through CEPALSTAT. To illustrate the possibilities that subnational accounts offer and the inferences that can be made from such accounts, three countries of the region were selected for practical exercises: Colombia, Mexico and the Plurinational State of Bolivia. These countries offer a small sample of how …

Anuario Estadístico de América Latina y el Caribe 2023 = Statistical Yearbook for Latin America and the Caribbean 2023

En el Anuario Estadístico de América Latina y el Caribe de la CEPAL se presenta un conjunto de estadísticas básicas que caracterizan la situación económica, sociodemográfica y ambiental de la región referidas a un período en particular. Esta información forma parte del conjunto de estadísticas disponibles en CEPALSTAT, el portal de bases de datos y publicaciones estadísticas de la CEPAL [en línea]. La presente edición del Anuario contiene datos que se encontraban disponibles hasta mediados de diciembre de 2023. El Anuario consta de tres capítulos. El primero, en que se presentan los indicadore…

The Hummingbird Vol. 10 No. 9

Methodological document on statistical use of economic administrative records

This methodological document is intended to furnish the countries of the region with a set of guidelines and recommendations for producing innovative and timely economic statistics, and to provide greater benefits by making statistical use of administrative records on economic issues.…