Social Panorama of Latin America and the Caribbean, 2025: How to escape the trap of high inequality, low social mobility and weak social cohesion. Executive summary
Work area(s)
Social Panorama of Latin America and the Caribbean, 2025: How to escape the trap of high inequality, low social mobility and weak social cohesion. Executive summary
- Publication type: Social Panorama of Latin America and the Caribbean
- Publication corporate author (Institutional author): NU. CEPAL
- Physical description: 31 pages
- Publisher: ECLAC
- UN symbol (Signature): LC/PUB.2025/24
- Date: 26 November 2025
Abstract
The Social Panorama of Latin America and the Caribbean 2025 analyses the trap of high inequality, low social mobility and weak social cohesion that is perpetuating the development crisis in the region. Inequality is a historical, structural and multidimensional problem that must be adequately measured in order to design comprehensive policies that address its multiple causes. Overcoming inequality requires a holistic approach to addressing inequalities caused by weaknesses in education systems and strengthening the role of education in intergenerational social mobility. It also requires linking up productive development policies, labour market policies, the institutional framework for social policy and care systems to strengthen labour inclusion. These measures should be supported by comprehensive policies that promote gender equality and the care society and that ensure respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples, migrants and persons with disabilities. To implement these policies, it is essential to strengthen institutions’ technical, operational, political and prospective (TOPP) capabilities and ensure efficient and financially sustainable social spending. Only through these strategies will it be possible to reduce inequality and move towards inclusive social development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Table of contents
- A. Background
- B. Second World Summit for Social Development: the urgency of advancing towards inclusive social development
- C. High and persistent inequality in Latin America and the Caribbean: an obstacle to progress towards inclusive social development
- D. Inequality is a multidimensional phenomenon with various causes, and requires multidimensional measurement to support comprehensive policies aimed at reducing it
- E. Income inequality remains high, but is trending downward slightly
- F. The region must pursue quality education, as inequality is perpetuated by education system shortcomings
- G. Amid the variety of persistent labour inclusion challenges, job formalization is fundamental for reducing inequality
- H. Monetary poverty and multidimensional poverty declined significantly in 2024
- I. Profound gender inequality persists, limiting the exercise of women’s rights and autonomy
- J. Inequality in the form of discrimination, exclusion and violation of the rights of persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples and migrants
- K. Limited technical, operational, political and prospective institutional capabilities are weakening implementation of policies to reduce inequality
- L. Social spending stabilized following the pandemic
- M. Comprehensive public policies to promote inclusive social development and overcome the high inequality trap must be adopted
- N. Overview and summary of chapters.