Latin America and the Caribbean's Long-Term Growth

Abstract

This semiannual report examines short-run and long-run challenges for economic growth for the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region in the aftermath of the 2008-09 global financial crisis. The first part of this report provides an overview of recent economic developments, including an analysis of the sources of external risks for short-term economic activity in the region, and an in-depth look at whether LAC can leverage its deepening connections with China and turn it into an important (but not the only one) source of long-term growth. It also discusses policy response options for the short and long-term horizons. The second part of the report documents and analyzes the emergence, over the last decade, of a downward trend in education earnings premia (the additional earnings associated with a higher level of education), which is believed to reflect a re-balancing between higher supply and lower demand for skills.