For decades economists have warned that low levels of public investment in education, health, infrastructure, and security would weaken a country’s economic growth and delay its social development. Unfortunately, that describes many Latin American and Caribbean countries. From 1980 to 2016, public investment in the region grew by almost 10 percentage points slower than in … [Read more...] about Why Don’t Voters Demand More Public Investment?
The Unequal Effects of Air Pollution on Health and Income in Mexico City
Perched 7,300 feet above sea level in a valley wrapped round by mountains and volcanoes, Mexico City has long suffered from thick layers of smog produced by cars, factories, and wildfires. Among the worst hazards of that air pollution for its 21 million inhabitants is PM 2.5, inhalable fine particulate matter. People exposed to PM 2.5 can suffer from coughing, shortness of … [Read more...] about The Unequal Effects of Air Pollution on Health and Income in Mexico City
IDB Offers Opportunity for Talented and Ambitious Research Assistants
If you are passionate about improving lives, gifted in creative analysis, and eager to collaborate on research that furthers equitable and sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean, a new opportunity beckons. The Research Department of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) invites talented young professionals and recent graduates to apply to its 18-month … [Read more...] about IDB Offers Opportunity for Talented and Ambitious Research Assistants
Preserving Public Investment During Fiscal Adjustments
As COVID-19 struck in early 2020, governments across Latin America and the Caribbean moved decisively through transfers, credits and other means to shore up their economies and support families and firms. That swift governmental action did much to alleviate suffering. But in the midst of falling revenues, fiscal deficits increased substantially, rising on average from 3.4% of … [Read more...] about Preserving Public Investment During Fiscal Adjustments
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