With nearly 49,000 gun-related deaths in 2021, including homicides, suicides, and accidents, the United States has long been thought to be the gun capital of the world, with a staggering 120.5 firearms per 100 inhabitants. But its numbers pale in comparison to Latin America and the Caribbean when it comes to homicides. In 2021, nine of the 10 countries with the highest homicide … [Read more...] about How Overconfidence Can Affect Gun Preferences and Undermine Safety
Carlos Scartascini
Carlos Scartascini is Head of the Development Research Group at the Research Department and Leader of the Behavioral Economics Group of the Inter-American Development Bank. He has published eight books and more than 60 articles in academic journals and edited volumes. He is a member of the Executive Committee of IDB's Gender and Diversity Lab, member of the Board of Advisors of the Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania, Associate Editor of the academic journal Economía, and Founding Member of LACEA's BRAIN (Behavioral Insights Network). A native of Argentina, Dr. Scartascini holds a Ph.D. and an M.A. in Economics from George Mason University.
Increasing HPV Vaccination Rates in Latin America: A Guide for Policymakers
Rosa, a 44-year-old woman who lives in Bogotá, has a problem when it comes to getting her 9-year-old girl, Alicia[1], vaccinated with the hugely effective Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine. She's heard of the vaccine, but she hasn't gotten it for Alicia because her pediatrician has not yet mentioned it in any of the girl’s check-ups and she's not sure what the government’s … [Read more...] about Increasing HPV Vaccination Rates in Latin America: A Guide for Policymakers
Behavioral Economics and the Energy Crisis in Europe
European nations, stunned by Russia's aggression, have mostly rallied in support of Ukraine, sending weapons and welcoming millions of refugees. But European citizens are paying dearly for it. Apart from the costs in direct assistance, the energy conflict with Russia had sent prices of gas soaring to eight times their 10-year average by the end of September and helped push … [Read more...] about Behavioral Economics and the Energy Crisis in Europe
Nudging to Get Citizens to Pay Their Taxes and Improve the Delivery of Public Goods
Latin America and the Caribbean has faced several consecutive crises, from COVID to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, that have weakened countries' ability to provide their citizens goods and services and underscored the need to increase rates. Budgets are tight and capital spending meager, and the region can’t afford rates of evasion for personal and corporate income taxes … [Read more...] about Nudging to Get Citizens to Pay Their Taxes and Improve the Delivery of Public Goods
Employing Information to Boost Citizen Trust and Welfare
For democracy to function and economies prosper, people need to believe that their fellow citizens are trustworthy: that they are well intentioned, will honor commitments and will not take advantage of them. When people have little to no information about others, it is difficult to believe that. The fact that Latin America and the Caribbean has the lowest rates of trust in … [Read more...] about Employing Information to Boost Citizen Trust and Welfare