No matter how old we are, it is hard to imagine getting older. We are biased towards our present self and disconnected from our future one, stinting on our pension contributions, underinvesting in our education, and eating and exercising poorly with the mistaken feeling that the future will never catch up with us. This present bias -along with an excess of optimism and … [Read more...] about Face-Ageing Technology to Boost Fitness, Savings, and Other Positive Behaviors
Reactivating the Economy with Better Business and Household Credit
As the economies of Central America, Mexico, Panama and the Dominican Republic contracted steeply in 2020 in the face of COVID-19, their governments and central banks rose to face unprecedented challenges in maintaining liquidity and credit and keeping businesses and households afloat. They set lower policy rates and reserve requirements, devised more flexible regulations for … [Read more...] about Reactivating the Economy with Better Business and Household Credit
Boosting Trade to Alleviate Pressures from the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
When war broke out between Russia and Ukraine at the end of February, businesses and governments in Latin America and the Caribbean worried that the war's disruptions would cause significant harm to the region's trade. What now seems clear is that rather than being deeply harmed, Latin America and the Caribbean has a significant opportunity to step in, relieve supply … [Read more...] about Boosting Trade to Alleviate Pressures from the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Achieving Climate Change Goals Means Redirecting 7 to 19% of GDP Worth of Spending Decisions
The case for immediate climate action could not be more stark. Global temperatures have already risen by 1.1°C and over 3 billion people are highly vulnerable to the effects of a warming planet, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). We need to immediately adapt to the impacts of a changing climate. We also have to limit warming as close to 1.5°C … [Read more...] about Achieving Climate Change Goals Means Redirecting 7 to 19% of GDP Worth of Spending Decisions
From Pandemic to Inflation and War: Challenges for Policymakers in Latin America and the Caribbean
After a robust economic recovery last year from the lows of the pandemic, Latin America and the Caribbean faces strong headwinds from potential new coronavirus variants, inflation-fighting efforts in advanced economies, and the war between Russia and Ukraine that could depress world growth and even push the region into recession by 2023. Riding a wave of strong growth … [Read more...] about From Pandemic to Inflation and War: Challenges for Policymakers in Latin America and the Caribbean