Economic and Social Progress in Latin America, 1996 Report. Special Section: Human Capital, Economic, and Social Equity - Inter-American Development Bank.

A comprehensive resource guide on the Latin American and Caribbean economies. The annual report features statistical profiles of regional and national economic performance, as well as year-by-year consolidated data for the past decade on population, national accounts, central government finances, balance of payments, and external debt.;The 1996 report includes a more articulated vision of Latin America's achievements, trends and weaknesses. It assesses and compares recent macroeconmic trends in the 26 countries of the region. The central issue is the challenge posed to growth by declining domestic savings, unstable capital flows, fragile financial sectors and political uncertainty. The book uses country-by-country data to review structural reforms that have opened and modernized economies throughout the region. It compares reforms in such areas as trade, tax legislation, financial liberalism, and labour and social security programmes. The "Special Section" examines the critical role of human capital in balancing economic growth and social equity. It focuses on the organization of social services, demonstrating how the structure of incentives and the interaction of government, providers and clients affect performance in health and education.