Paper short abstract:

Using a spatially disaggregated database comparing 10 Latin American countries over the last decade, we present an overview of spatial inequality within countries in a set of capability proxies (education, health, poverty, economic inclusion)

Paper long abstract:

Latin America is one of the most unequal region of the world. The distribution of capabilities, opportunities and outcomes is highly unequal both across individuals and among territories within countries. Recent studies show that these indicators have been improving over time, yet spatial inequality persists and harms opportunities and wellbeing of communities, especially those leaving in rural areas.

Drawing from census and nationally representative household surveys, we built a database at the lowest available level of spatial disaggregation comparing socio-eco indicators among Bolivia, Brasil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, México, Nicaragua and Peru. We present an overview of the evolution of spatial gaps in capabilities indicators over the past ten years, analyzing the differences between dimensions within and among countries, by comparing the magnitude of territorial inequality gaps between/among nations. Finally, recommendations and policy challenges are presented