Subnational statistics are fundamental for the development and implementation of effective and equitable public policies and are essential for responding to the principle of "leaving no one behind" proposed by the 2030 Agenda.

Subnational statistics are statistical data that are collected and disaggregated at the level of territorial subdivisions within a country, such as regions, provinces, states, municipalities or departments. Rather than focusing solely on global or national figures, these statistics provide specific and detailed information on each geographic area, allowing for a better understanding of local and regional dynamics in relation to:

1. Balanced regional development: They allow us to identify socioeconomic disparities between different areas of the country, which helps governments to design public policies that promote more equitable development.
2. Improved decision-making: By providing a more detailed view, local, regional and national governments can make more informed decisions tailored to the particular needs of each territory.
3. Local policy monitoring: These statistics allow the assessment of the specific policy impacts in such geographic areas, and make adjustments if necessary.
4. More efficient resource management: With disaggregated data, public resources can be allocated more efficiently, directing investments to the areas that need them most.
5. Reduction of inequalities: By making disparities visible, policies can be implemented to reduce the gaps between more and less developed regions, promoting territorial cohesion.

ECLAC, in its ongoing commitment to disseminate relevant data on the region, makes available to its users the Subnational Statistics of Latin America and the Caribbean, in the hope that they will make a significant contribution to decision-making and development planning in the countries.

These statistics are available on the CEPALSTAT platform, where users can access comparable subnational statistics produced, estimated or compiled by ECLAC for the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. Depending on the subject, these refer to the first subnational administrative division (DAM), lower subnational administrative division (DAME) and/or smaller subnational territorial units.

This new section dedicated to subnational statistics includes the following topics, which will be expanded as the production of basic data for their calculation increases:

• Population: Population and migration statistics by first and lower subnational administrative division, plus metropolitan agglomerates and/or cities (localities between 2 thousand and 20 thousand inhabitants).
• Education: Education statistics by first and lower subnational administrative division, plus metropolitan agglomerates and/or cities (localities between 2 thousand and 20 thousand inhabitants).
• Human settlements: Statistics on night radiance, built-up areas, urban sprawl, urban green spaces, housing and basic services, and more.
• Poverty and income distribution: Statistics on total poverty, extreme poverty and average income by first and lower subnational administrative division.
• National accounts: Gross domestic product (GDP) by first subnational administrative division.
• Land cover and use (Coming soon): Statistics on land use, forest cover and water bodies by first and lower subnational administrative division.
• Impacts of Climate Change Scenarios in Central America and Mexico: Statistics on temperature, precipitation and aridity index under different emission scenarios by first and lower subnational administrative division.

Users are invited to explore subnational statistics for Latin America and the Caribbean by following this link.