Since 2007, each edition of the annual Latin American Economic Outlook (LEO) analyses key challenges faced by the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region in its transition towards sustainable and inclusive development, comparing LAC’s performance with that of its peers, suggesting policy recommendations and providing examples for policy learning.
The LEO benefits from the expertise and inputs of several institutions. In 2011, the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean joined the OECD as co-author, as did CAF, the development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, in 2013 and the European Commission in 2018.
This 19th edition of the LEO, Deepening Integration into a Changing Global Economy, examines key global transformations, arguing that LAC is well positioned to seize emerging opportunities, and that deeper integration within and beyond LAC is essential to achieving this. It calls for smart regional integration that targets sectors and economic corridors with the potential to unlock broader forms of integration, scale up production, strengthen regional and global value chains, and serve as a springboard for deeper and more effective integration into the global economy. The report recommends improving key enabling conditions such as infrastructure and skills, reducing regulatory and non-tariff barriers, mobilising strategic financing, attracting quality foreign direct investment, and building international partnerships that expand access to markets, technology, knowledge, and finance.