Facing Up to Inequality in Latin America: Economic and Social Progress in Latin America 1998-1999 Report - Softcover

Economic and Social Progress in Latin America is the most comprehensive resource guide available on the Latin American and Caribbean economies. The report features an annual assessment of economic and social trends, statistical profiles of regional and national economic performance, and year-by-year consolidated data for the past decade on population, national accounts, central government finances, balance of payments, and external debt.

The 1998 Report examines the dimensions of inequity in Latin America, which persists despite a decade of economic growth, macroeconomic stability, and free market economic policies. Poverty levels are unabated, salary gaps have widened, and social services in many countries remain inadequate.

The report looks at how income distribution and equity are affected by external forces such as globalization and capital flows, as well as by domestic factors like demographics, political economy, labor and family issues, and levels of state spending and efficiency. Policies are proposed to better distribute the benefits of development by reconciling universal and targeted approaches, and by examining public versus privatized delivery of social services such as education, health, and social security.