Even before the COVID-19 crisis, Latin America and the Caribbean faced stagnant growth. GDP, however, fell by 7.4% in 2020, and the region's public finances were hit hard. With tax collection dropping 25% (and bouncing back only partially), and spending rising by about 3.5% of GDP as governments sought to attend to health and preservation policies to save households, jobs, and … [Read more...] about A Post COVID-19 Fiscal Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean
Alejandro Izquierdo
Alejandro Izquierdo é o Principal Líder Técnico do Departamento de Pesquisa do Banco Interamericano de Desenvolvimento (BID). Anteriormente, ele ocupou os cargos de Economista-Chefe interino, Gerente do Departamento de Pesquisa, Assessor Econômico Regional para o México e América Central e Economista Principal em todo o BID. Alejandro liderou o Relatório Macroeconômico Anual do BID por vários anos e atualmente é codiretor do programa executivo da Universidade de Columbia-BID para questões financeiras internacionais em mercados emergentes. Ele também liderou o principal produto do BID, o Desenvolvimento nas Américas, em questões como crédito e gastos públicos na América Latina. Antes de sua carreira no BID, Alejandro trabalhou no Banco Mundial no Departamento de Política Econômica e ministrou cursos de macroeconomia e finanças internacionais em várias universidades latino-americanas. Ele tem várias publicações em periódicos profissionais e volumes editados. É Ph.D. em Economia pela University of Maryland, mestre pelo Instituto Torcuato Di Tella, Argentina, e bacharel em Economia pela Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Human Mobility Map Shows that People Are Observing Social Distancing
In recent weeks, the governments of Latin America and the Caribbean have implemented a battery of measures to encourage social distancing and reduce the infection rate of the coronavirus. Although it is clear that human mobility has indeed dropped significantly, important questions persist. How much has mobility declined in the region? In what countries has it dropped the … [Read more...] about Human Mobility Map Shows that People Are Observing Social Distancing
Fiscal Policy in the Time of Coronavirus: Constraints and Policy Options for Latin American and Caribbean Countries
Latin America and the Caribbean is suffering a heavy blow as the novel coronavirus is spreading, governments are sending people home, and only a few businesses are allowed to operate. This happens against a grim backdrop of financial fragility, and a flight to quality assets in developed countries, with the resulting doubling of credit spreads in emerging markets since January … [Read more...] about Fiscal Policy in the Time of Coronavirus: Constraints and Policy Options for Latin American and Caribbean Countries
Greater Efficiency and the Path to a Prosperous Future for Latin America and the Caribbean
Latin America and the Caribbean has a difficult puzzle to solve. Growing national income is feeding demands for more and better government services. At the same time, because many governments increased expenditure during the years of the commodity boom and now face less favorable external conditions, they will need to adjust. In a context of external headwinds there is … [Read more...] about Greater Efficiency and the Path to a Prosperous Future for Latin America and the Caribbean
How Vulnerable Are Latin American and Caribbean Economies to a Sudden Stop in Capital Flows?
As the U.S. economy continues to grow and the labor market tightens, there is an increasing likelihood that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates. The consequences will reverberate in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our research suggests there are reasons for concern, but also ways countries can offset the risks. It is key that countries in the region take this … [Read more...] about How Vulnerable Are Latin American and Caribbean Economies to a Sudden Stop in Capital Flows?