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Survey on Administration and Management of Police in Latin America and the Caribbean (SAMP-LAC): Questionnaire and Methodology
Full text linkThis document outlines the methodology and questionnaire used in the IDB Survey on the Administration and Management of Police in Latin America and the Caribbean (SAMP-LAC), a pioneering tool for assessing police institutions in the region. The survey collects data on police resources, management practices, and performance outcomes, serving as a valuable baseline for researchers and police agencies. Designed by the IDB with input from experts, academic research, and best practices, the instrument includes seven modules that can be used together or as stand-alone questionnaires: 1) structure; 2) administrative data; 3) management and oversight; 4) operations; 5) information, data analysis, and technology; 6) human resources; and 7) training. The 20192020 edition was administered to 18 major police institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean, with comparative responses from two U.S. agencies and one in Europe. Key findings will be presented in an upcoming IDB publication
Nodo sectorial de interoperabilidad: lecciones de gobernanza de datos del sector laboral y previsional de Chile
Full text linkLa gestión eficiente y segura de los datos constituye un pilar fundamental para el diseño e imple-mentación de políticas públicas efectivas. En este contexto, la Subsecretaría de Previsión Social del Ministerio del Trabajo y Previsión Social de Chile está avanzando en el diseño e implementación del proyecto “Nodo Laboral-Previsional”, que tiene como objetivo crear una infraestructura de interoperabilidad de datos en el ámbito laboral y previsional. Esta iniciativa busca consolidar y facilitar el intercambio eficiente de información entre las instituciones clave del sector. La mo-tivación detrás de este esfuerzo radica en la necesidad de superar la actual fragmentación de datos, mejorar la calidad y accesibilidad de la información para la ciudadanía, y fortalecer la toma de decisiones basadas en evidencia, lo que permitirá diseñar políticas públicas más efectivas. El documento sistematiza el contexto y los antecedentes del proyecto, las actividades realizadas, los beneficios esperados de la implementación del nodo, y las recomendaciones para su expansión y replicabilidad en otros sectores. Asimismo, incorpora aprendizajes clave derivados de experiencias previas en gobernanza de datos y estrategias sectoriales, ofreciendo una visión integral y práctica para avanzar hacia un ecosistema de datos interoperables y sostenible
The Financial Channel of Tax Amnesty Policies (Discussion Paper)
Full text linkIn the past two decades, more than 30 countries have implemented tax amnesty policies to encourage the declaration and repatriation of hidden assets, with the goal of increasing government tax revenues. While previous literature has focused primarily on the fiscal impact, this paper studies a new channel: the potential expansion of the financial sector resulting from these policies. We examine the macroeconomic effects of Argentinas 2016 Tax Amnesty, one of the largest episodes of asset disclosure, through the financial channel. This amnesty led to an influx of savings into domestic banks, primarily in dollars, equivalent to 1.4% of GDP. We leverage the heterogeneous exposure of banks and firms to this amnesty-induced financial shock to identify bank responses and spillovers to firms. We find that more exposed banks significantly increased their lending compared to less exposed ones. Firms connected to banks with higher exposure experienced increased borrowing, along with a boost in imports of intermediate inputs, exports, and employment. Our findings reveal that tax amnesty policies can stimulate economic growth by expanding the financial sector, demonstrating effects beyond their direct fiscal impact. These results are particularly relevant for countries with underdeveloped financial systems, where the potential for growth through improved access to capital is significant
The Pharmaceutical Global Value Chain: Participation and Opportunities for Latin America and the Caribbean
Full text linkThis report provides an overview of the global pharmaceutical industry, highlighting key trends, the geographic spread of activities, and important firms and stakeholders. It examines the participation of Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries in the pharmaceutical industry, identifying opportunities for expansion and areas for improvement. The report discusses the growth in generics and biologics, the impact of demographic and lifestyle changes on demand, and the significant role of research and development (R&D) in bringing new medications to market. It also addresses the challenges faced by the LAC region, such as low adherence to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards and the need for increased government expenditure on healthcare and drugs. Recommendations include promoting industrial and research parks, fostering research collaborations, and enhancing workforce development to boost the region\u27s pharmaceutical capabilities
Trade Trends Estimates: Latin America and the Caribbean. 2025 Edition
No full textThis report provides estimates of Latin America and the Caribbeans international trade flows for 2024. It was prepared by the Productivity, Trade, and Innovation Sector (PTI) at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
Droughts and Domestic Violence: Measuring the Gender-Climate Nexus
Full text linkEvery year, 245 million women are victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). Climate change is hypothesized to exacerbate this figure through its disruptive impact on household livelihoods, among other channels. However, little causal evidence exists on this aspect of the climate-gender nexus, partly due to measurement challenges that have contributed to gaps in the literature. In this paper, we use three different IPV data sources to examine the effect of drought in Mexico and the role of agricultural vulnerability in intensifying these effects. We find robust evidence of increases in all measures of IPV in response to local precipitation deficits: as unanticipated exposure to days without rain in the previous month rises, more injuries linked to IPV are recorded in the public health system, police reports increase, and more 911 calls related to IPV are made. The effects are stronger in regions highly dependent on agriculture, particularly when the shock occurs during the growing season. In a country where most agricultural income and land are controlled by men, our results align with theoretical predictions from male-backlash IPV models and extractive violence models. We also find that the impact of drought on IPV is more pronounced in municipalities with low state capacity, though potential differences in reporting behavior between IPV measures complicate comparisons. Our findings underscore the need to design gender-sensitive disaster relief policies, strengthen trust in reporting mechanisms and helplines, and reduce the social acceptability of IPV
The Impact of Multi-acquiring in the Payment System: Evidence from Uruguayan Financial Inclusion Program
Full text linkThis paper examines the transition from exclusive card network-acquirer relationships to a multi-acquiring model. Using the case of Uruguay\u27s adoption of multi-acquiring in 2022, as part of a broader financial inclusion program, we document significant market dynamics, including restructured relationships among incumbents and new market entrants. Our analysis, leveraging the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index, reveals decreased market concentration across all payment segments. While fee reductions were initially driven by a government-sponsored price agreement, the increased competition fostered by multi-acquiring stabilized these rates even after the agreement was no longer in effect. Large merchants benefited from enhanced efficiency, but small merchants faced adaptation challenges. These findings underscore the complexities of regulating two-sided payment markets and emphasize the need for balanced interventions to ensure a competitive payment ecosystem
Tech Report: Quantum Technology
No full textAt the heart of quantum computing is the quantum bit or qubit, a quantum analog of the classical bit, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously due to a phenomenon known as superposition. This unique ability enables quantum computers to perform parallel computations, significantly enhancing their processing power for certain types of problems. Quantum computing has the potential to drive breakthroughs across various industries, from drug discovery and material science to cryptography and financial modeling
Better Governments for Better Lives: Strengthening State Capacities for Strategic, Meritocratic, and Inclusive Management of the Civil Service in Latin America and the Caribbean
Full text linkIn a context of fiscal constraints, citizen distrust, and accelerating technological change, the third edition of the regional civil service study, Better Governments for Better Lives, assesses the state of public service in Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting progress and challenges over the past decade. This book focuses on three key questions What capacity do countries have to manage their civil service effectively? What are the main challenges and how can they be addressed? And what best practices can be adapted to promote an effective civil service? Despite some progress, such as gradual professionalization and the adoption of new technologies, regional progress has been slow and uneven, with modest growth in the global average index. The study underscores the importance of strategic, merit-based and inclusive human resource management as a key pillar for strengthening state capacity, improving public service delivery and enhancing citizen trust. It also proposes a roadmap with specific recommendations to consolidate a more efficient and equitable civil service capable of addressing the region\u27s structural challenges
Tech Report: Generative AI
Full text linkThis report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of how Generative AI works and will provide an update to the information presented on the September 2023 IDB Report. Further sections will delve into the wide-ranging applications of Generative AI, showcasing examples across different fields and discussing the challenges and risks associated with its deployment, including ethical considerations, its security, and privacy concerns. Lastly, the report will highlight best practices for the safe and responsible use of Generative AI tools to equip readers with essential insights into responsible innovation and the strategic adoption of Generative AI technologies in a rapidly evolving digital ecosystem