The pandemic does not come to the region in good time, the little dynamism of growth in recent years generates uncertainty of the outlook for the future. For 2020, the consensus among analysts expects a drop in output in Latin America and the Caribbean between -2% and -6%, which comparative terms would be deeper contractions than the debt crisis of the eighties (-2.4%) and the … [Read more...] about Possible macro-fiscal consequences of COVID-19 in Latin America
Policy and fiscal management during the pandemic and post-pandemic in Latin America and the Caribbean
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 Unfortunately, these figures quickly became outdated.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 and coronavirus: five critical actions the IDB is supporting
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
Ideas for Better Taxation after the COVID-19 Crisis
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
Solving the State-Owned Enterprises Puzzle in Latin America and the Caribbean
The state-owned enterprise (SOEs) sector in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is struggling financially and suffering from political intervention. More than 40% of such enterprises have reported annual losses for several consecutive years in the past decade. The crisis has had important, and sometimes de-stabilizing impacts in the region. For example, heavy losses at … [Read more...] about Solving the State-Owned Enterprises Puzzle in Latin America and the Caribbean