Publisher's Synopsis
This resource guide to the Latin American and Caribbean economies features an annual assessment of economic and social trends. It includes statistical profiles of regional and national economic performance, and year-by-year consolidated data for the past decade on population, national accounts, central government finances, balance of payments and external debt.;The 1997 report analyzes and compares recent macroeconomic developments in terms of stabilization, international integration and market liberalization. While many countries are moving into a phase of sustained growth, others continue to experience serious fiscal, financial and external problems that threaten economic progress.;The second section is a comprehensive assessment of the effect of Latin America's structural reforms on growth, macroeconomic stability and social equity. The analysis looks at medium-run economic and social prospects for the region and examines current challenges faced by policy makers.;Finally, the report examines Latin America's fiscal institutions, with special emphasis on budgetary processes, decentralization and electoral systems. The analysis focuses on how these institutions affect performance as the size of government, public deficits and the response of fiscal policy to shocks.
