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Jobs and Support for Trade: Preliminary Findings
Get PDFInternational trade increases aggregate welfare but also creates winners and losers, which makes free trade a contentious political issue. Recent research has established that individuals are more sensitive to anti-trade information about the prospect of employment loss than to pro-trade information regarding lower product prices and increased variety. This means that we know what works to decrease support for trade, but it is still unclear what works to increase it. In this paper, we fill this gap by studying how individual attitudes and beliefs change in response to information regarding employment losses (in import-competing sectors), to information regarding employment gains (in export-oriented sectors), and to information regarding the possibility of compensation to those displaced by trade. To this end, we conducted a large scale survey experiment in eighteen Latin American countries using nationally representative samples. Results indicate that anti-trade information reduces support for trade even if compensation to losers is mentioned and that pro-trade messages increase support only if they are worded so that a job gain is perceived. Belief updating about the consequences of increased trade on employment seems to be a relevant mechanism. Our findings have important implications on what types of messaging work to increase support for trade
The Impact of Out-of-field STEM High School Teachers on College Decisions: Evidence from Chile
No full textThis paper examines the effects of out-of-field teachers during secondary education on students, focusing on academic performance and college choices in STEM subjects, using detailed data from Chile. Our findings indicate a generally negative impact of out-of-field teaching in Math, Chemistry, and Physics on the likelihood of students taking the college entrance exam, while Biology\u27s impact appears negligible, possibly due to its less intensive use of mathematics. Specifically, out-of-field teaching in these subjects decreases student\u27s participation in the science portion of the college entrance exam, critical for STEM program admissions. Although students interest in STEM majors is not broadly affected, those taught by out-of-field Physics teachers show a reduced preference for STEM fields. The study also highlights that out-of-field teaching lowers college enrollment rates, especially in STEM majors, with low-socioeconomic status students and males being particularly affected. Males have lower rates of exam participation and suffer more from out-of-field teaching in Physics and Chemistry, while females face obstacles enrolling in STEM programs after being taught by out-of-field teachers in Physics
Are Long Hospitalizations Substituting Primary and Long-term Care?: Evidence from Brazil and Mexico
Get PDFProlonged hospital stays, or hospital stays that are longer than medically necessary, are a major concern for patients, payers, and providers. We conceptualize and empirically estimate the prevalence and cost of prolonged stays among elderly hospital patients (65 years and older) in Brazil and Mexico. We develop a continuum-of-care conceptual framework based on prior literature and insights obtained through interviews and focus group discussions with experts from Mexico, Argentina, and Colombia. In this framework, hospitals are part of a wider system. This system involves both pre-admission and post-discharge medical and social care services. There are three main sources of prolonged stays: (i) lack of appropriate primary healthcare that leads to more complex admissions; (ii) hospital inefficiency; and (iii) lack of rehabilitation, social, and long-term care at discharge. We estimate the count and share of inappropriate hospital days due to prolonged stays overall and for each source. This estimation is based on administrative records on discharges from public sector hospitals in 2019. Our results show that hospital days due to prolonged stays account for approximately half of all hospital days. Although most of the inappropriate days can be attributed to hospital inefficiency, an important share is linked to the lack of rehabilitation, social, and long-term care. Lack of these services accounts for 12% of total hospital days in Brazil and 7% in Mexico. In a back-of-the-envelope calculation, we estimate that providing six weeks of long-term care services to address the care needs brought about by only thirteen causes of admission would generate annual net savings of approximately US45 million in Mexico
Exploring Gender Discrimination: A Multi-Trial Field Experiment in Urban Ecuador
Get PDFIn this study, we investigate the extent and mechanisms of gender-based discrimination in urban Ecuador\u27s hiring practices, a critical issue for understanding persistent gender disparities and informing policy. Using an artifactual field experiment with 392 recruiters evaluating observationally equivalent male and female job candidates, we uncover a significant preference for female candidates. Our results show that women were preferred by a margin of 15%, despite equivalent productivity assessments between genders. This suggests that hiring decisions are influenced by factors beyond assessed productivity differentials. We hypothesize that social norms advocating for gender equality significantly drive these preferences, and demonstrate that the preference for women aligns with the observed trend of narrowing the employment gender gap in survey data
Innovation as the Driver of Change: Japan’s Cutting-Edge Solutions for Global Water and Sanitation Challenges
Get PDFTo date, the adoption of Japanese expertise and innovative solutions in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) has been limited, partly due to information gaps. The lack of consolidated sources of information on this topic is an additional barrier to adoption, as the sources of this valuable information in Japan are dispersed among public and private entities. Therefore, collecting information, analyzing and selecting innovations considered most beneficial and applicable for the LAC region, and making such information available to water and sanitation operators and sector institutions will narrow the information gap and promote innovation in the sector. This study also highlights the role of innovation as the driver of change in the Japanese water and sanitation sector. This report begins by outlining the approach and methodology to select innovations. Subsequently, it delves into the background of the W&S sector in Japan, covering eight topics: safe and sustainable potable water, city-wide inclusive sanitation (CWIS), asset management, resilience to disasters, integrated water resources management and green infrastructure, carbon neutrality, public awareness, and co-creation for an innovation ecosystem. The top innovations identified within each topic are detailed, leading to the conclusions that summarize the findings of the study
Direct Water Requirement Patterns in Brazil, Colombia and Costa Rica: A Structural Decomposition Analysis
Get PDFWater is not only vital for human life but also is a critical economic input. Climate change will likely exacerbate conflicts over the multiple uses of water in Latin America. Adopting a south-south perspective approach, this study compares direct water requirement patterns over time among Brazil, Colombia, and Costa Rica, applying an environmental-extended Structural Decomposition Analysis between 2013 and 2017. While all countries experienced increased water consumption during the period, Brazils and Colombias results suggest gains in water productivity at the national level and for Agriculture. Results also indicate that Exports are the main water consumption driver of Agriculture in Brazil and Costa Rica. The Water and sanitation sector in Colombia experienced a decrease in direct water requirements, which is illustrated by a strong negative intensity effect. In contrast, an expressive positive intensity effect in Costa Rica resulted from a sectoral GDP fall. The findings of this study offer support to sectoral climate adaptation plans in all countries as well as water conservation and sustainable development policies
Water Policies to Support Investment in Humans and Nature a Compilation of Good Practices in Latin America And The Caribbean: A Collaborative Review of Legal and Project Good Practices in Eight Countries
No full textThe report presents an analysis of legal frameworks and project implementations across eight Latin American countries: Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay and Peru. It serves as a reference to the legal frameworks and good practices in water resources management in Latin America, emphasizing a holistic and sustainable approach to ensure both human and environmental well-being. It provides insights into good governance practices in Latin American countries, focusing on the procedural principles of the Human Rights-Based Approach as it applies to the Human Rights to Water and Sanitation and a healthy environment. Highlighting the interconnectedness of water resources conservation with their human use, the report emphasizes the importance of balancing infrastructure development with sustainable management of natural resources
The State of Education in Latin America and the Caribbean: Learning Assessments
Get PDFThe second edition of The State of Education in Latin America and the Caribbean 2024 examines the evolution of large-scale learning assessments in the region. The report begins with an overview of education based on a selection of indicators on resources, coverage, efficiency, and learning. It focuses specifically on socioeconomic inequalities. It then focuses on the evolution of learning measurement in 18 countries from the 1990s to this day, highlighting significant milestones in regional and international assessments and the design and implementation of large-scale national assessments. The report analyzes aspects such as test frequency and coverage, institutional changes, types of assessments, and the impact of the pandemic, as well as the challenges affecting the quality and validity of the assessment. The report also examines how these assessments influence education policymaking and their role in improving education quality. Finally, it provides recommendations for strengthening learning assessment systems, supporting post-pandemic learning recovery, and promoting greater education equity
Tech Report: Digital Twins
Get PDFDigital twins are finding innovative applications in a wide range of industries. In manufacturing, they enable product design optimization, predictive machinery maintenance, and customized production. Healthcare will benefit from precise diagnostics, personalized treatments, and advanced surgical planning. In city planning, they support efficient urban design and complex situation management. Regarding energy, they promote the efficiency and sustainability of systems and infrastructure. Finally, in the agricultural sector, they improve crop management, resource use and animal welfare
Tech Report: Edge Computing
Get PDFThe adoption of edge computing in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) underscores its ability to address the regions unique challenges, including limited connectivity and the need to process data in remote locations. Innovative projects in smart public lighting, urban security, and sustainable resource management highlight the transformative impact of edge computing in improving quality of life and operational efficiency. Looking ahead, edge computing stands at the forefront of technological innovation. Deeper integration with artificial intelligence and the rise of 5G will unlock fresh opportunities for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Moreover, the evolution of Edge as-a-Service promises flexibility and efficiency for businesses of all scales. Data security will continue to be a focal point, with novel solutions aimed at safeguarding information in this decentralized settin