Latin American Economic Outlook 2026

Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) can harness major technological, environmental and geopolitical transformations through deeper and more diversified regional and global economic integration. The region’s strengths in renewable energy, critical minerals, agrifood systems and artificial intelligence (AI) create opportunities to attract quality investment, expand and diversify trade, strengthen energy and food security, and move into higher-value activities in global value chains. Yet LAC remains insufficiently integrated into the global economy, while weak regional linkages, infrastructure gaps, regulatory barriers, limited financing and skills shortages constrain productivity and economic growth. Stronger regional integration, particularly in strategic sectors, can help the region connect more effectively to global markets. By strengthening infrastructure, finance, skills and regulatory frameworks, and by leveraging international partnerships for investment, technology and market access, LAC can translate its strategic assets into higher productivity, innovation, quality jobs, and more inclusive and sustainable growth.