This report covers the five countries in Latin America with the largest indigenous populations, which include Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Peru. ... See More + The purpose of this report is to answer whether changes on the national and international front have been accompanied by actual improvements in material conditions among indigenous people, presenting a regional picture of the evolution of socio-economic conditions among indigenous people in Latin America over the past decade. The report argues on whether poverty rates decreased among indigenous populations, and if so, how does this compare to changes observed in poverty rates for the rest of the population. It focuses on the main human capital indicators (education and health outcomes) as it concerns improvements, or not, over the period for indigenous and non-indigenous groups, and what are the factors explaining those trends. Furthermore, it stipulates income (and therefore, income poverty) is to a large extent determined by human capital, and, questions how have the income returns to human capital changed for indigenous, and non-indigenous people, and, how does access to major social and poverty reduction programs differ between indigenous and non-indigenous people.  See Less -

Document Type: Working Paper Report No.: 33020 Document Date: DEC 31, 2004

Author: Hall, Gillette; Patrinos, Harry Anthony Document also available in: Spanish, English Disclosure Status: Disclosed