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Social Protection
Social Protection

Towards a more comprehensive, flexible, and sustainable social protection system.

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Sector Framework Initiatives Projects at a Glance
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OUR VISION

We support efficient and flexible cash-transfer programs that alleviate structural poverty and provide protection against systemic or idiosyncratic shocks; early childhood development programs; long-term care systems that promote autonomy of older persons, and services for the inclusion and autonomy of Persons with Disabilities. 

Cash transfer programs targeting families living in structural poverty

Flexible unconditional cash-transfer programs

Early childhood development programs

Long-term care

Services for persons with disabilities

Conditional Cash Transfers

Conditional Cash Transfers are the most efficient instrument to support families affected by the structural poverty in the region. The expansion of these programs has resulted in a positive impact on poverty, consumption and use of health and education services.

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Early Childhood Development

Investing in the first 1000 days of life is critical for children's development and increases societies' productivity, reducing poverty and promoting equality.

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Long-term care systems

Long-term care systems help older persons maintain their quality of life, promote gender equality by reducing the responsibility of care within the family, and create jobs in the care economy.

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People with Disabilities

The following policies are key to increasing the quality of life of persons with disabilities: (i) implementation of national certification systems that facilitate access to existing programs; (ii) implementation of cash-transfer programs that alleviate the poverty of PwD; and (iii) provision of personal assistance and assistive technology that enhance the autonomy and well-being of the PwD, while supporting family members (generally women) who provide assistance.

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Poverty

In the region, the prevalence of poverty is higher in rural areas —it affects 47.9% of its population, compared to 18.1% in cities—. Additionally, poverty affects the Indigenous Peoples population (39.7%), Afro-descendants (34.4%), and households with children (30.5%) in a disproportionate way.

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Social-protection-1-IDB-Womans-different-ages Aging in Latin America and the Caribbean: Social Protection and Quality of Life of Older Persons
A person holding a baby. Climate change - Inter-American Development Bank - IDB Social Protection and Climate Change: How Can We Protect the Most Vulnerable Households Against New Climate Threats?
A person taking a picture of a child sitting on the floor. Inclusion - Inter-American Development Bank - IDB What Have We Learned from the Hybrid Delivery of ECD Services During the Pandemic?
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Aging in Latin America and the Caribbean
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WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD POLICIES IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN?
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Successful Care Systems: how to build them?
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Surge in Oil and Gas Revenue Drove Up Tax Receipts in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2022
SANTIAGO - Tax revenue rose as a share of GDP on average across Latin America and the Caribbean countries between 2021 and 2022 due partly to a sharp increase in revenue from the oil and gas sector, according to a new report.Revenue Statistics in Latin America and the Caribbean 2024, released today...
May 07, 2024
Use of Mobile Money, Digital Payments Doubles in Central America, Panama and Dominican Republic
The use of digital financial services has experienced rapid growth in Central America, Panama and the Dominican Republic, with the share of adults owning mobile money accounts doubling from 4% to 8% between 2017 and 2021, a new study by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) shows. Digital...
May 06, 2024
There Are Jobs in Latin America and The Caribbean, but Their Quality Urgently Needs Improvement
-The latest edition of the IDB’s Better Jobs Index places the quality of employment in the region at 41.2 on a scale of 1 to 100. -The study includes policy recommendations to enhance employment quality by nurturing and strengthening workforce skills, among other measures. -Women in Latin America...
April 30, 2024
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