The COVID-19 pandemic has battered Latin American and Caribbean economies. Due to its large informal sectors, weak health systems, and fiscal restrictions, the region’s economy has been hit harder than any other declining by 7% last year—the largest GDP contraction since 1821. But unlike previous crises, where problems originated or were exacerbated in the financial sector, … [Read more...] about FINLAC: A New Initiative on Financial Inclusion to Boost Economic Recovery and Transform Lives
Digitalization of Public Services: A Panacea?
Digitalization might seem to be the solution to many ills facing society. From the virtual classrooms that provide education to children in remote areas, to the telemedicine that facilitates access to health care and crowdsourcing to promote citizen participation in policy debates, it might even seem like a panacea. But digitalization's effectiveness depends on the ability … [Read more...] about Digitalization of Public Services: A Panacea?
How an Existing Non-Contributory Pension Program Proved Critical During the COVID-19 Pandemic
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, governments around the world faced the challenge of providing effective financial support to help citizens weather the fallout from the accompanying economic crisis. That crisis unfolded at unprecedented speed, leaving many households vulnerable to sliding into poverty before governments could design and implement new social … [Read more...] about How an Existing Non-Contributory Pension Program Proved Critical During the COVID-19 Pandemic
COVID-19: Containment Measures and Trust
The development of effective vaccines against COVID-19 marks a historic breakthrough. But even if advanced economies succeed in getting most of their population vaccinated in 2021, achieving herd immunity as quickly in developing countries through vaccination will be difficult. This means that as the virus continues to spread around the globe, managing mobility restrictions … [Read more...] about COVID-19: Containment Measures and Trust
Gender Gaps in the Time of Covid-19
Over the last 30 years, women have made significant gains in Latin America and the Caribbean. Maternal deaths in childbirth have dropped by more than half, young women are slightly more educated than men, and the region recorded the highest rate of convergence between male and female labor force participation from 1990-2015 compared to other regions of the world. But glaring … [Read more...] about Gender Gaps in the Time of Covid-19