Conditional cash transfer programs (CCTs)—cash grants to poor families that are conditional on their participation in education, health, and nutrition services—have become a vital part of poverty reduction strategies in many countries, particularly in Latin America. In Conditional...

This paper looks at the Honduran economy, including longer-term trends, the pre-crisis years, and recent developments since the June 28th coup. It finds that poverty and inequality decreased significantly during the Zelaya administration, with rapid growth of more than 6 percent during the first...

This paper examines the Bolivian economy since President Evo Morales took office in 2006. It finds that Bolivia’s economic growth in the last four years has been higher than at any time in the last 30 years, averaging 4.9 percent annually since the current administration took office in 2006....

Major pharmaceutical companies such as Smith Kline Beecham, Merck, Glaxo and Lilly, and a score of smaller ones, are developing profitable business opportunities in the world's forest while preserving biodiversity and producing incentives for leaving the forests intact. This case study covers...

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI) baseline survey results, summarizing both findings from the WEAI survey and the relationships between the WEAI and various outcomes of interest to the US Government’s Feed the...

This study examines external and domestic influences on Latin America’s economic performance over the past decade and a half. It notes that over the past few years, macroeconomic policies have strengthened and structural reforms have been implemented. Together with a favorable external...

This paper examines the relationship between fixed exchange rate arrangements and trade using a gravity model of international trade together with bilateral trade data from 24 countries from the Caribbean and Latin America for the period 1960-2001. The analysis indicates that a credible fixed...

ILO pub-WEP pub. Working paper on rural area poverty trends in Central America - summarizes findings of six case studies; looks at agricultural incomes, wages, and other poverty-linked economic indicators; examines impact of the export-oriented pattern of economic growth, particularly on small...

Investigates working conditions and status of female teachers. Includes results of case study interviews in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama.