Over the last decade, Latin America and the Caribbean has become increasingly digitalized, with the spread of internet use to roughly three-quarters of the population, a rapid proliferation of smartphones, and the emergence of numerous new digital companies worth over a billion dollars in areas such as commerce and finance. This digital revolution has had visible impacts on … [Read more...] about Digitalizing Public Services to Improve Lives in Latin America and the Caribbean
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
Foreign Investment Drops and Concerns Rise in Latin America and the Caribbean
As the COVID-19 pandemic faded in 2021, markets expressed optimism in the worldwide economic outlook and capital flows to emerging markets recovered. It was not to last. The central banks of developed economies are now mopping up the abundant liquidity they had in place since the Great Financial Crisis to fight inflation in their own countries. Geopolitical risks in 2022 have … [Read more...] about Foreign Investment Drops and Concerns Rise in Latin America and the Caribbean
Why Remittances Soared as the Pandemic Raged
Remittances – money sent from migrants working abroad to families in their home countries – are a major source of income for many in Latin American and the Caribbean, representing as much as 20% of the GDP in nations such as El Salvador, Honduras, Haiti, and Jamaica. As occurred after the 2008 global financial crisis, remittances typically dry up in the wake of economic … [Read more...] about Why Remittances Soared as the Pandemic Raged
Is the Metaverse Better than Zoom for Brainstorming?
Basic forms of digital media use, or virtuality, like videoconferencing have provided flexibility for workers, especially during the recent COVID-19 lockdowns. Some people have found that virtuality brings structure to their workplace and allows them to focus more intensely without the distractions of the office. Some experts suggest that it improves the sharing of unique … [Read more...] about Is the Metaverse Better than Zoom for Brainstorming?