Public Spending

As is well known, COVID-19 is highly contagious and has a higher mortality rate among at-risk groups than other similar viruses. In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) the first contagion case was registered in late February 2020 and by April 20 the number of people infected was 100,000-plus, with 5,300 dead. Unfortunately, these figures quickly became outdated. The outburst … [Read more...] about Policy and fiscal management during the pandemic and post-pandemic in Latin America and the Caribbean

Subnational governments (SNGs) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic. Their proximity to the population and to its needs and demands gives them a prime opportunity to gain early first-hand knowledge of the crisis’s evolution. In the region’s large countries, SNGs are directly responsible for the health response[1], managing … [Read more...] about Subnational governments and coronavirus: five critical actions the IDB is supporting

In memoriam Luiz Villela The unexpected global economic crisis caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) will have significant economic consequences. Faced with this outlook, Latin American countries are taking steps to mitigate the situation so that its consequences do not drag on over time. Some of these measures will involve increased spending on healthcare and transfers to … [Read more...] about Ideas for Better Taxation after the COVID-19 Crisis