In the bustling markets of Mexico, a subtle yet significant revolution is underway. It isn’t a political or social upheaval. It's a transformation in the retail sector. Traditional neighborhood shops, once the heart of local communities, are now competing at a considerable disadvantage with giant convenience chains like 7-Eleven and Oxxo. This revolution, fueled by the entry … [Read more...] about What are the Welfare Tradeoffs When Convenience Chains Replace Neighborhood Shops?
The Challenges of Being a Single Mother in Latin America and the Caribbean
Single mothers may face significant economic handicaps, an issue of particular concern in Latin America and the Caribbean where 11% of households are headed by a single parent—the highest rate of any region in the world—and most of those households are led by single mothers. This already large share almost triples when taking into account mothers without a partner who live with … [Read more...] about The Challenges of Being a Single Mother in Latin America and the Caribbean
The “Tiendita” and the Survival of Microenterprises Amid Competition from Large Firms
With its bountiful assortments of everything from tomatoes and milk to cigarettes and dog food, the little grocery store or "tiendita" is as ubiquitous and cherished as the bakeries, small liquor stores, and tacos stands that dot nearly every neighborhood in Mexico's cities. But over the last 20 years, tienditas have faced significant competition from convenience chains … [Read more...] about The “Tiendita” and the Survival of Microenterprises Amid Competition from Large Firms
Three-Generation Households Can Boost Female Employment
Living in an extended family has become more common around the globe, including in the United States, where the number of people living in multigenerational households has quadrupled in the last five decades. But Latin America, along with Northern Africa, is the region where multigenerational living is most common. This has important policy implications, not least because … [Read more...] about Three-Generation Households Can Boost Female Employment
How the Lack of Childcare Exacerbates the Gender Gap
Women have been gaining ground in labor markets, transitioning into paid work and increasingly into leadership positions in Latin America and the Caribbean. But far more progress is needed to create opportunities in which women can realize their economic potential. While the region has bridged 72.6% of its gender gap, progress is currently stagnant. Over the last year, 16 out … [Read more...] about How the Lack of Childcare Exacerbates the Gender Gap