Social Panorama of Latin America 2015. Briefing paper

The 2015 edition of Social Panorama of Latin America analyses poverty trends, as measured by ECLAC. It also examines changes in income distribution and in other aspects of inequality. With a view to contributing to the development of public policies to overcome poverty and socioeconomic inequality, this edition examines the latest trends in social spending and the challenges posed by demographic change, and provides in-depth analysis of persistent gaps in the labour market, of the challenges facing policies and programmes that foster inclusion in the labour market and production, and of social development institutions in Latin America.

Introduction .-- Chapter I. Poverty and inequality in Latin America .-- Chapter II. Social spending trends over the business cycle: the importance of maintaining funding for social policy .-- Chapter III. Confronting structural divides in the employment market: labour and productive inclusion policies and programmes .-- Chapter IV. Institutionality and social development: overview and challenges .-- Chapter V. The impact of demographic trends.