By: Néstor Gandelman Does an industrial businessman in Monterrey, Mexico, save a bigger percentage of his income than a rural worker in Chiapas? Whether the rich save more is a longstanding question with important policy implications that has different answers according to each country or region. What happens in Latin America? In an analysis of 14 Latin American and Caribbean … [Read more...] about Do the Rich Save More in Latin America?
Did You Get Your Shots? In Rural Communities in Guatemala a Simple Reminder Improved Health
By: Matias Busso and Julian Cristia Take a moment to recall the last time you forgot someone's birthday. When was the last time you were at the grocery store and forgot that one crucial ingredient for dinner? How many times have you been locked out in the past year? A good memory is undoubtedly important for anyone. The memory of faces, names, facts and many other things … [Read more...] about Did You Get Your Shots? In Rural Communities in Guatemala a Simple Reminder Improved Health
Unemployment among Women: Another Kind of Spell
Men and women are different. That’s a good thing, much of the time, but not in the case of unemployment. A woman may be able to bewitch her partner, but when it comes to being out of work, she’s the one in the deepest spell—an unemployment spell, that is. Recent research in Colombia sheds light on some of the issues surrounding women in and out of the workforce. Let’s set the … [Read more...] about Unemployment among Women: Another Kind of Spell
What do Ireland and Costa Rica Have in Common? A World of Possibilities.
Besides stunning landscapes, abundant natural resources, folklore, music and a joyful approach to life, Costa Rica and Ireland have in common openness to internationalization. Both countries illustrate —with different strategies—the importance of the macroeconomic context, institutions, and the trade regime to successfully attract foreign direct investment. Despite the near … [Read more...] about What do Ireland and Costa Rica Have in Common? A World of Possibilities.
Commodity Prices: over 100 Years of Booms and Busts…
Commodity prices are very persistent. During booms we seem to forget that they have always (yes, always) been followed by busts (see Figure 1). And during a slump we forget that a boom is surely going to come along— we just have to wait long enough. What determines such booms and busts? Was the last boom exceptional? Where are prices today relative to long-run trends? And the … [Read more...] about Commodity Prices: over 100 Years of Booms and Busts…