The statistical tables follow key areas identified in the Latin American Economic Outlook (LEO): 1) social development; 2) productivity and innovation; 3) investment and private financing; 4) citizens’ perceptions and institutions; 5) digital and green transition; and 6) fiscal position.

Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) average is a simple average of the largest set of LAC countries for which latest data were available as of July 2024.

Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development (OECD) average is a simple average of the largest set of all OECD member countries for which latest data were available as of July 2024.

To ensure comparability between years, countries for which data are not available for both years of comparison have been excluded from the averages. Exceptions to this are mentioned in the notes.

Applying the same criteria as in previous LEO editions, data selection from international sources prioritises comparability across LAC countries and shows the latest comparable data available at the report’s publication date. For this reason, discrepancies with national data may also occur.

Extreme poverty:1 refers to the share (%) of the population whose average per‑capita income is below the extreme poverty line, as specified by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. Method of computation: “n” is defined as the total number of persons and “i” is the number of people whose per‑capita income is below the extreme poverty line; the percentage of people living in extreme poverty is expressed as I=(i/n)x100 (known as “headcount index”). The average per‑capita income is calculated by dividing the total income of each household by the number of people forming it. Data from (ECLAC, 2024[1]), CEPALSTAT. Statistical Databases and Publications, https://statistics.cepal.org/portal/cepalstat/.

Poverty:¹ refers to the share (%) of the population whose average per‑capita income is below the poverty line, as specified by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. Method of computation: “n” is the total number of people and “p” is the number of people whose per‑capita income is below the poverty line; the percentage of people living in poverty is expressed as P=(p/n)x100. This indicator includes people under the extreme poverty line, by definition. The average per‑capita income is calculated by dividing the total income of each household by the number of people forming it. Data from (ECLAC, 2024[1]), CEPALSTAT. Statistical Databases and Publications, https://statistics.cepal.org/portal/cepalstat/.

Gini index:2 measures the extent to which the distribution of income (or, in some cases, consumption expenditure) among individuals or households within an economy deviates from a perfectly equal distribution. A Gini index of zero represents perfect equality; an index of 100 represents perfect inequality. Data from (World Bank, 2024[2]), World Bank Open Data, https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI.

Share of total population in informal households:3 provides the distribution of the total population living in informal households. An informal household has all its workers in informal work. Data from (OECD, 2023[3]), Key Indicators of Informality based on Individuals and their Households (KIIbIH) database, www.oecd.org/dev/key-indicators-informality-individuals-household-kiibih.htm.

Share of total population in mixed households: provides the distribution of the total population living in mixed households. A mixed household has both formal and informal workers. Data from (OECD, 2023), Key Indicators of Informality based on Individuals and their Households (KIIbIH) database, www.oecd.org/dev/key-indicators-informality-individuals-household-kiibih.htm.

Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI): measures discrimination against women in social institutions (e.g. formal and informal laws, social norms, and practices). Lower values indicate lower levels of discrimination in social institutions: the SIGI ranges from 0% for no discrimination to 100% for very high discrimination. Data from (OECD, 2023[4]), Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI), https://data-explorer.oecd.org/.

PISA score in science:4 indicates the mean score in science performance as measured by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) for each country. Scientific performance measures the scientific literacy of a 15‑year‑old in the use of scientific knowledge to identify questions, acquire new knowledge, explain scientific phenomena, and draw evidence‑based conclusions about science‑related issues. Data from (OECD, 2024[5]), Science performance (PISA) indicator, https://data.oecd.org/pisa/science-performance-pisa.htm#indicator-chart.

Labour productivity: estimation that measures output per hour worked as a percentage of OECD output per hour worked (in 2022 international dollars, converted using Purchasing Power Parities). Data from (The Conference Board, 2024[6]), Total Economy Database, www.conference-board.org/data/economydatabase/totaleconomy-database-productivity.

High‑technology exports:5 measures exports of products with high research and development (R&D) intensity as a percentage of total manufactured exports. Data from (World Bank, 2024[2]), World Bank Open Data, https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/TX.VAL.TECH.MF.ZS.

Patent applications per million people: measures worldwide patent applications filed through the Patent Cooperation Treaty procedure or with a national patent office for exclusive rights for an invention, expressed per million people. Authors’ calculations are based on data from (World Bank, 2024[2]), World Bank Open Data, https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IP.PAT.RESD.

Research and development expenditure (R&D):6 measures capital and current expenditures as a percentage of GDP in four main sectors: business enterprise, government, higher education, and private non‑profit. R&D covers basic research, applied research and experimental development. Data from (World Bank, 2024[2]), World Bank Open Data, https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS.

Total investment:7 measures the gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) as a percentage of GDP. GFCF includes land improvements; plants, machinery, and equipment purchases; and the construction of roads, railways, and the like (including schools, offices, hospitals, private residential dwellings, and commercial and industrial buildings). According to the 1993 SNA, net acquisitions of valuables are also considered capital formation. Data from (World Bank, 2024[2]), World Bank Open Data, https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.GDI.FTOT.ZS.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) net inflows as a % of GDP: measures the net inflows of investment to acquire a lasting management interest (10% or more of voting stock) in an enterprise operating in an economy other than that of the investor as a percentage of GDP. It is the sum of equity capital, reinvestment of earnings, other long-term capital, and short-term capital as shown in the balance of payments. This series shows net inflows (new investment inflows less disinvestment) in the reporting economy from foreign investors and is divided by GDP. Data from (World Bank, 2024[2]), World Bank Open Data, https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/BX.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS.

Domestic credit to private sector by banks (% of GDP): measures financial resource, as a percentage of GDP, provided to the private sector by other depository corporations (deposit taking corporations except central banks), such as through loans, purchases of nonequity securities, and trade credits and other accounts receivable, that establish a claim for repayment. For some countries these claims include credit to public enterprises. Data from (World Bank, 2024[2]), World Bank Open Data, https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/FD.AST.PRVT.GD.ZS.

Savings: measures gross national income less total consumption, plus net transfers, as a percentage of GDP. Data from (World Bank, 2024[2]), World Bank Open Data, https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GNS.ICTR.ZS.

Market capitalisation: measures the share price times the number of shares outstanding (including their several classes) for listed domestic companies, as a percentage of GDP. Investment funds, unit trusts, and companies whose only business goal is to hold shares of other listed companies are excluded. Data from (World Bank, 2024[2]), World Bank Open Data, https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/CM.MKT.LCAP.GD.ZS.

Satisfaction with educational system: measures the percentage of the population in the city or area where they live who are satisfied with the educational system or schools. This metric responds to the question: “Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the educational system or the schools in the city or area where you live?”. Data from (Gallup, 2024[7]), Educational System, https://ga.gallup.com/Charts/.

Satisfaction with healthcare system: measures the percentage of the population in the city or area where they live who are satisfied with the availability of quality healthcare. This metric responds to the question: “Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the availability of quality healthcare in the city or area where you live?”. Data from (Gallup, 2024[7]), Healthcare System, https://ga.gallup.com/Charts/.

Satisfaction with standard of living: measures the percentage of people satisfied with their standard of living. This metric responds to the question: “Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with your standard of living, all the things you can buy and do?”. Data from (Gallup, 2024[7]), Standard of Living, https://ga.gallup.com/Charts/.

Confidence in judicial system: measures the percentage of the population that expresses confidence in the judicial system and courts within their country. This metric responds to the survey question: “In this country, do you have confidence in each of the following, or not? How about the judicial system and courts?”. Data from (Gallup, 2024[7]), Confidence in Judicial System, https://ga.gallup.com/Charts/.

Corruption Perception Index: measures citizens’ perceptions of the levels of local corruption in their country, where 0 is completely corrupt and 100 is totally clean. Data from (Transparency International, 2024[8]), Corruption Perception Index, http://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2023.

Security risks Indicator: considers the security threats to a state, such as bombings, attacks and battle-related deaths, rebel movements, mutinies, coups, or terrorism. The Security Apparatus Index also considers serious criminal factors, such as organised crime and homicides, and the perceived trust of citizens in domestic security. 0 means low security risks and 10 means high security risks. Data from (The Fund for Peace, 2024[9]), Fragile States Index, https://fragilestatesindex.org/global-data/.

Share of internet users:8 measures individuals who have used the Internet (from any location) in the last 3 months. The Internet can be used via a computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant, games machine, digital TV etc. Data from (World Bank, 2024[2]), World Bank Open Data, https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IT.NET.USER.ZS.

Fixed broadband subscriptions:9 measures fixed subscriptions to high-speed access to the public Internet (a TCP/IP connection), at downstream speeds equal to, or greater than, 256 kbit/s. This includes cable modem, DSL, fiber-to-the-home/building, other fixed (wired)-broadband subscriptions, satellite broadband and terrestrial fixed wireless broadband. This total is measured irrespective of the method of payment. It excludes subscriptions that have access to data communications (including the Internet) via mobile-cellular networks. It should include fixed WiMAX and any other fixed wireless technologies. It includes both residential subscriptions and subscriptions for organisations. Data from (World Bank, 2024[2]), World Bank Open Data, https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IT.NET.BBND.P2.

Environmentally related tax revenue:10 measures the revenues from environmentally related taxes as a percentage of GDP. It includes taxes on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, fuel taxes, taxes on road use, forestry taxes and revenue from auctioned permits of emission trading systems for GHGs. Data from (OECD et al., 2024[10]), Environmentally related tax revenue, https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=ERTR.

Per Capita Greenhouse Gas Emissions (excluding land use changes) (t CO2e/capita): measures the total annual emissions of six greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6) from energy, industry, waste, and agriculture, adjusted to carbon dioxide equivalents and divided by the population. It excludes emissions from land use changes and forestry due to higher uncertainties. Data from (World Bank, 2024[2]), World Bank Open Data, https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.GHG.ALL.PC.CE.AR5.

Renewable energy consumption: measures the share of renewable energy sources within total final energy consumption, expressed as a percentage. Data from (World Bank, 2023), World Bank Open Data, https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.FEC.RNEW.ZS.

Total tax revenues:11 measures total tax revenues as a percentage of GDP. Data from (OECD et al., 2024[10]), Revenue Statistics in Latin America and the Caribbean 2024, https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=RS_GBL.

Share of VAT (value added tax):¹⁰ measures VAT as a percentage of GDP. Data from (OECD et al., 2024[10]), Revenue Statistics in Latin America and the Caribbean 2024, https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=RS_GBL.

Share of PIT (personal income tax):¹⁰ measures taxes on the income, profits, and capital gains of individuals as a percentage of GDP. Data from (OECD et al., 2024[10]), Revenue Statistics in Latin America and the Caribbean 2024, https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=RS_GBL.

Share of CIT (corporate income tax):¹⁰ measures taxes on the income, profits, and capital gains of corporations as a percentage of GDP. Data from (OECD et al., 2024[10]), Revenue Statistics in Latin America and the Caribbean 2024, https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=RS_GBL.

Tax morale: measures the share (%) of the adult population who find some degree of justification in evading taxes, excluding those who believe tax evasion is not justifiable at all. Data from (Latinobarómetro, 2023[11]), Opinión Pública Latinoamericana, www.latinobarometro.org/latOnline.jsp.

Public debt service: measures public debt service as a percentage of tax revenue. Public debt service is calculated as general government primary lending/borrowing minus general government net lending/borrowing. Authors’ calculations are based on data from (International Monetary Fund, 2023[12]), World Economic Outlook Database, www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/April and (OECD et al., 2024[10]), Revenue Statistics in Latin America and the Caribbean 2024, https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=RS_GBL.

Social expenditure:12 measures public social spending as a percentage of GDP. The main social policy areas are old age, survivors, incapacity‑related benefits, health, family, active labour market programmes, unemployment, housing, and other social policy areas. For OECD countries, data refer to Social expenditure from (OECD, 2023[13]), OECDStat, https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=SOCX_AGG or LAC countries, data refer to Social public expenditure from (ECLAC, 2024[1]), CEPALSTAT. Statistical Databases and Publications, https://statistics.cepal.org/portal/cepalstat/.

[1] ECLAC (2024), CEPALSTAT. Statistical Databases and Publications, https://statistics.cepal.org/portal/cepalstat/dashboard.html.

[14] ECLAC (2023), CEPALSTAT. Statistical Databases and Publications, https://statistics.cepal.org/portal/cepalstat/dashboard.html.

[7] Gallup (2024), Gallup Analytics (database), https://ga.gallup.com/Charts/.

[12] International Monetary Fund (2023), World Economic Outlook Database, https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/April.

[11] Latinobarómetro (2023), Latinobarómetro: Opinión Pública Latinoamericana, https://www.latinobarometro.org/latOnline.jsp.

[5] OECD (2024), Science performance (PISA) (indicator), https://doi.org/10.1787/91952204-en (accessed on 2 December 2024).

[3] OECD (2023), Key Indicators of Informality based on Individuals and their Household (KIIbIH), https://www.oecd.org/dev/key-indicators-informality-individuals-household-kiibih.htm.

[13] OECD (2023), OECDStat Social Expenditure, https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=SOCX_AGG.

[4] OECD (2023), Social Institutions and Gender Index, https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=SIGI2023.

[10] OECD et al. (2024), Revenue Statistics in Latin America and the Caribbean 2024, https://doi.org/10.1787/33e226ae-en.

[6] The Conference Board (2024), The Conference Board Total Economy Database™, http://www.conference-board.org/data/economydatabase/total-economy-database-productivity.

[9] The Fund for Peace (2024), Fragile States Index, https://fragilestatesindex.org/global-data/.

[8] Transparency International (2024), Corruption Perception Index, http://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2022.

[2] World Bank (2024), World Bank Open Data, https://data.worldbank.org/.