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Expanding Opportunities: Policies for Gender Equality and Inclusion: Executive Summary
Get PDFThis book examines the progress and persistent challenges in achieving gender equality and inclusion in Latin America and the Caribbean. Despite significant advances in women\u27s education, health, and labor force participation, substantial gaps remain in areas such as economic opportunity and leadership representation, and gender-based violence remains high. The region has also witnessed a greater, though incomplete, acceptance of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. The book proposes a comprehensive policy framework structured around three pillars: foundational policies, policies that enable economic opportunity, and institutional reforms. It argues that addressing persistent challenges requires evidence-based policies that expand opportunities to unlock the regions full talent potential and drive progress toward a more equitable and inclusive society
Research Insights: What Are the Housing Conditions of Urban Migrants in Latin America and the Caribbean, and How Can Those Conditions Be Improved?
Get PDFUrban migrants in Latin America and the Caribbean are significantly less likely to own homes compared to residents, with demographic factors accounting for about one-third of this homeownership gap (HOMG). Compared to local residents, migrants tend to have less living space and fewer housing amenities like rooms and cooking areas, and they have uneven access to services like water and sewage. Optimizing existing housing stock and developing rental marketse.g., by streamlining processes while upholding quality and safety standardsare key strategies to support migrants in securing housing and enhancing job access
Caribbean Economics Quarterly: Volume 13, Issue 3: Innovation for Faster Economic Growth in the Caribbean: Are We There Yet?
No full textAs discussed in several editions of the Caribbean Economics Quarterly, the Caribbean has seen anemic growth, high volatility, and low productivity over the past few decades. This edition of the Caribbean Economics Quarterly focuses on innovation which has been proven to be a key driver of productivity growth across economies. The underlying dataset for the analysis is the Innovation, Firm Performance, and Gender (IFPG) Survey conducted by the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility in 2020. The survey was administered to 1,979 formal firms across 13 Caribbean countries. The report summarizes information from the innovation chapter of the recently released IDB book Are We There Yet? The Path toward Sustainable Private Sector Development in the Caribbean, and it provides a unique country-specific perspective for each of the six countries of the IDBs Caribbean Department - The Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago
The Impact of United States Competitiveness Policy Reform on Latin America: An Analysis of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022
Get PDFThis study explores recent endeavors to reshape science and innovation policies within the United States, focusing on reform efforts within the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the potential implications for Latin America. Central to this discussion is the establishment of the new Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP), and the expansion of the NSF budget, alongside the CHIPS and Science Acts provisions. These initiatives are expected to impact global science and innovation policies. While the semiconductor sector in Latin America may see near-term effects, broader changes in research policies are likely to evolve more gradually, akin to past U.S. policy shifts. The reform marks a significant step forward in U.S. science and innovation policy design, albeit falling short of creating an agency dedicated specifically to innovation. The study serves to highlight a broader trend among international science and innovation promotion agencies toward prioritizing innovation and amplifying the impact of research. For Latin American countries, the inquiry revolves around how these reforms will influence national policies, and the strategies of research and innovation support entities. The assimilation of U.S. reforms into Latin American policy frameworks has been a gradual process, with potential to align organizational structures with economic sophistication
Heterogeneous Returns to ICT Capital: Insights from Colombian Manufacturing Firms
Get PDFThe persistent productivity gap between Latin America and the Caribbean and high-income countries is partially attributed to low levels of innovation and limited adoption of technologies, such as information and communication technologies (ICT). ICT capital has been shown to enhance firm performance, yet its role in emerging markets remains underexplored. In this study, we analyze the impact of ICT capital on output in Colombian manufacturing firms from 2013 to 2018. Using an augmented production function, we estimate the output elasticity of ICT capital while addressing potential endogeneity and measurement concerns. Here, we show that ICT capital contributes significantly to output, with elasticities comparable to non-ICT capital and labor. The results reveal substantial heterogeneity: innovative, high-tech, exporting, and big firms have higher ICT capital elasticities than their noninnovative, low-tech, nonexporting, and smaller counterparts. These patterns suggest that complementarities exist between ICT and firms assets related to innovation, export orientation, and growth. The findings presented here contribute to the literature on ICT capitals role in firm productivity and inform policy making by emphasizing the need for different strategies to foster digital transformation in SMEs and in low-tech sectors
Impact Framework 2024-2030: Infoguide
No full textThe Impact Framework is the highest-level tool of the IDB, IDB Invest, and IDB Lab for monitoring performance and achieving strategic objectives under IDBStrategy. It serves important functions in both accountability and performance management, with indicators that capture our Mission Goals, Portfolio Results, and Performance Targets. This infoguide provides an overview of the Impact Framework and highlights the 15 Mission Scorecard indicators to capture the regions development progress in key areas
Territorial Framework for Inclusive, Sustainable, and Green Development of the Andean Amazon Region
Get PDFThe Amazon is one of the most complex and richest resources in the world. With its 5.5 million km2 of dense tropical forest and 7.9 million km2 of river basin, it is one of the most biodiverse and richest regions on the planet. In Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela - the Andean Amazon Region (AAR) these 2.7 million km2 are also home to approximately 24.7 million people, including more than 200 known indigenous groups. Despite its advantages and the efforts invested, the AAR, its territory and population, continue to be exposed to a number of social, economic and conservation challenges. These challenges have not allowed a responsible use of this rich and diverse natural asset, contributing to a rapid process of deforestation, high levels of poverty and exclusion, and low levels of productivity. The question arising from these challenges is: How to promote an inclusive and sustainable development model that at the same time protects the environment and the natural capital of the AAR?. In order to respond to this question, this study conducts a development gap analysis for the AAR. The methodology uses a combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques to identify and measure development gaps in the territory, both at the sectoral and multisectoral levels, and proposes an intervention model based on networks and nodes. The analysis is based on the premise that development models in this region should focus efforts on three major areas that will make it possible to address the internal and external challenges of each country in a focused and efficient manner, leading to the closing of development gaps: 1. Taking responsible advantage of existing wealth, including the millenary knowledge of its population and territories; 2. Protecting the environment and natural resources; 3. Promoting an inclusive and green productive model. The results show that 85.6% of the population and 94% of the territory of the study experience at least one development gap. Regarding the area affected, gaps in access to drinking water, access to primary and secondary education in rural areas, and investment in green and inclusive activities are the most severe, involving 45.9%, 45.2% and 52.1% of the area, respectively. Whereas gaps related to investment in climate resilience, access to power substations, and investment in green and inclusive activities affect the largest number of people: 54%, 41.9% and 35.7% of the population, respectively
Medium and Long Run Economic Assimilation of Venezuelan migrants to Peru
Get PDFIn a span of six years, the proportion of Venezuelans in Peru has surged nearly fourfold, rising from virtually zero to over 4% of the population. This study delves into the dynamics of medium- and long-term labor market integration in Peru, combining data from the Venezuelan Population Residing in Peru Survey and the Peruvian National Household Survey. Our findings reveal that Venezuelan workers experience low returns on foreign postsecondary education and there is minimal relation between foreign work experience and monthly income. Importantly, these outcomes remain consistent irrespective of the time spent in the host country, indicating a gradual economic assimilation process. Lastly, our estimation demonstrates that if Venezuelans human capital yielded returns equivalent to Peruvian human capital, the average income of Venezuelans would witness a substantial increase of 20%
Opportunities and Challenges for Agrifood Trade Between Central American Integration System and Caribbean Community Countries
Get PDFThis study responds to the proposal made by the Secretariat of the Central American Agricultural Council (SECAC) and the Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA) on the need to promote spaces for integration in the area of agrifood trade between Central America and the Caribbean. It is a joint work between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in the search for possible trade solutions to the food security crisis, the need to generate greater employment opportunities, economic recovery and, in general, achieve better living conditions for the Central American and Caribbean population. The document is organized into six sections: introduction; an abbreviated analysis of agrifood trade trends at the global level and between the two subregions; market access conditions between the two regions; a section defining the coverage and methodology used for the research; identification of products with trade potential; the major limitations and challenges in taking advantage of these opportunities; and, finally, the conclusions and public policy recommendations to help overcome the challenges and contribute to the goal of greater and better food security
The Republic of Korea\u27s Digital Tools for Fighting COVID-19
No full textThe Republic of Korea\u27s management of the COVID-19 pandemic showcases an exemplary model through its robust and comprehensive approach, underscored by decisive leadership and a unified governmental strategy using ICT tools. Central to its success was the deployment of the 3T strategy (Testing, Tracing, Treatment) and a four-pillar policy response centered on Openness, Transparency, Civic Engagement, and Innovativeness. The establishment of the Korean Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) in 2004 and the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act paved the way for the pan-governmental COVID-19 response. The use of sophisticated ICT tools played a significant role in the success of Korea\u27s response. The study argues that South Korea\u27s approach, particularly its innovative use of ICT tools, offers valuable lessons for enhancing global emergency preparedness and response systems