Description:
In 2004 the World Bank released a
regional report titled 'Inequality in Latin America:
Breaking with History?' Analyzing data from the early
1990s to the early 2000s, a period in which many countries
in the region were experiencing increasing inequality, this
study raised the question of whether Latin America could
reverse its historical pattern of high and persistent
inequality. The report concluded that although not easy,
breaking with history was more than ever possible in the
region. An additional decade of data presented in this brief
shows that it was possible, mainly due to changes in labor
markets (including a reduction in educational inequality and
the skill premia, and greater female labor force
participation), a higher incidence of government transfers,
and additional factors such as demographic changes. The
decrease in inequality is driven mostly by improvements in
labor income, particularly a reduction in skill premiums,
reflecting improved access to education as well as other
factors. In contrast to the recent Latin American trends,
Asia is witnessing rising inequality, pushed up by China and
India - where income has traditionally been more equal.
However, inequality remains very high in Latin America, with
levels significantly above other middle income countries. As
Latin America enters a new decade, it does so knowing that
inequality reduction is possible in the region.