The Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) region has a historic opportunity to turn the transformations reshaping the global economy into new sources of growth, investment and prosperity. From the rapid development of AI, to the energy transition, demographic change and shifting patterns of trade and investment, many shared global challenges also offer new possibilities for the region.
Energy will be central to the economy of the future, and the region is endowed with abundant, renewable and reliable sources of energy, with two-thirds of electricity supply coming from renewables. Critical minerals will underpin the digital and green transitions, and the LAC region holds some of the world’s largest reserves of many, including 48% of global lithium reserves and 37% of copper reserves. The region is also a major provider of food, with an 18% share of global agrifood exports, and possesses extraordinary biodiversity, freshwater resources and natural ecosystems. LAC’s geographic position and diverse international ties also give it a further advantage at a time when governments and firms seek reliable, resilient and diversified supply chains.
These strategic advantages will not automatically translate into stronger development outcomes. Turning them into higher productivity, greater investment and better jobs will require deeper regional and global integration, coupled with ambitious reform and productive development policies to unlock investment and productivity growth. This Latin American Economic Outlook 2026: Deepening Integration into a Changing Global Economy identifies several priorities: better infrastructure, fewer regulatory barriers, greater access to financing, more integrated supply chains and stronger skills.
The LAC region does not start from scratch in this effort, and has important foundations on which to build. Existing regional initiatives demonstrate the benefits of closer co-operation, while expanding international partnerships are opening new opportunities for trade, investment, technology and sustainable development. The EU-LAC Global Gateway Investment Agenda and the recent EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement illustrate the scope for more trade and more resilient supply chains. Considerable potential remains to further deepen integration within the region and strengthen connections with markets around the world.
The choices made today will shape whether ongoing global transformations become sources of renewed dynamism and inclusive development or missed opportunities. The purpose of the 2026 Latin American Economic Outlook is to identify these opportunities, highlight the importance of integration and international partnerships, underline the strategic role the region can play in the emerging global economy, and identify the policy areas where action is needed to translate the region’s potential into better living standards for all.
Mathias Cormann
Secretary-General OECD
Sergio Diaz-Granados
Executive President,
CAF -development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean-
José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs
Executive Secretary
ECLAC
Jozef Sikela
European Commissioner for International Partnerships