The Research Department generates innovative ideas that support the strategic policy agenda of the IDB and its member countries to achieve inclusive and sustainable economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean. To maximize the impact of its research, we carry out activities that serve as inputs to bank departments, governments, the academic community and public opinion in the region.
We advise management on economic and development issues, conducts research and analysis on macro- and microeconomic trends, and oversees development of the IDB’s quantitative and analytical databases. It dons a team of researchers with excellent academic credentials, superior research and policymaking experience, and expertise in different areas.
- Latin America and the Caribbean has achieved a series of milestones in the past years. Growth rates have returned to long-term averages, inflation has largely been contained, countries have taken steps toward fiscal consolidation, and unemployment rates are historically low.
- However, substantial risks remain, as the region navigates global trade fragmentation, financial market volatility, and uncertainty surrounding economic policies in the world’s major economies. The geopolitical realignment of trade and investment patterns offers countries an opening to capitalize on nearshoring and regional integration.
- To seize these opportunities, governments must focus on enhancing productivity, strengthening institutional frameworks, improving human capital, and investing in critical infrastructure.
- Climate change is both a challenge and an opportunity for Latin America and the Caribbean. Adaptation to climate change is key to the region's development. Investing in resilient infrastructure, social protection and sustainable agriculture enables countries to reduce climate impacts while strengthening their economies and improving quality of life.
- Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 could bring significant economic benefits—up to $2.7 trillion—especially through major changes in agriculture, forestry, and land use.
- A fair, just transition requires thoughtful policies and strong public support, balancing benefits across communities to ensure that all sectors and citizens can adapt and thrive.
- A quiet revolution is reshaping payment systems across Latin America and the Caribbean, driven by private sector innovation and enabled by forward-looking public policies.
- There’s no universal blueprint for a successful transition from cash to digital payments—each country’s journey is unique, yet valuable lessons can be shared across borders to accelerate progress.
- The next frontier lies in harnessing digital payments for broader financial inclusion, while carefully designing policies that account for the incentives created by high levels of informality.
Water pricing policies are designed to encourage conservation while ensuring that utilities can recover their costs and consumers afford their bills.
Latin America and the Caribbean is undergoing a transformative shift in digital payments. Between 2019 and 2023, the average number of electronic transactions in the region grew threefold.
In today’s rapidly evolving and technologically complex financial landscape, financial literacy is no longer a luxury.