Introduction and Overview

Social policy expansion and segmentation in the first two decades of the 21st century in Latin America

“…Another important aspect to consider is the difference in generosity between contributory and non‐contributory pensions. As Rofman et al (2015) have shown, the latter can be as low as 8% of the average contributory pension benefit (as is the case in Bolivia; Table 1). For this reason, as Cruz‐Martinez et al point out, their adequacy is questionable when a large proportion of older adults are compelled to continue working (Cruz‐Martínez et al, 2021).…”

“…Data for the period 2000–2020 of the following 17 countries were collected and analysed: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The data sources used for this study are: the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC, 2021), World Development Indicators (World Bank, 2021), Arenas de Mesa (2019), Rofman et al (2015), Boletín Estadístico AIOS (AIOSFP, 2021), World Health Organization (WHO, 2021), Social Security Administration (2002, 2020), Blofield and Touchton (2020) and UNESCO (UIS, 2020). Based on this data, I assessed the evolution of key social policy indicators in four policy areas: transfers (which include pensions and conditional cash transfers), healthcare, education, and family policies.…”

“…Conditional cash transfers (CCTs) were one of the principal policy tools governments used to provide economic relief to poor families. So‐called noncontributory old‐age pensions (NCPs) also expanded in many countries, substantially increasing the rate of people over retirement age receiving a modest, yet steady income (Rofman et al, 2015). These policies have been credited with having contributed to the decline in income inequalities in the region in the first decade of this century (Cornia, 2014; López‐Calva & Lustig, 2010).…”

“…There is abundant literature describing the social policy expansion in Latin America since the year 2000, that is, the increase in coverage or inclusion in social policy (Holland & Schneider, 2017; Huber & Stephens, 2012; Ocampo & Gómez‐Arteaga, 2016; Rofman et al, 2015). Pink tide governments in particular have been extolled as examples of redistributive and equitable policies (Grugel & Riggirozzi, 2018; Midaglia et al, 2018; Pribble, 2013; Riesco, 2009).…”

Minimum eligibility age for social pensions and household poverty: Evidence from Mexico

“…This is particularly relevant, as indigenous people and women in Mexico have historically experienced structural barriers to economic progress that are accentuated in rural areas due to climate shocks, limited income sources, and constrained markets (see, e.g., Arceo-Gomez & Campos-Vazquez, 2014;Mckinley & Alarcón, 1995;Pagán & Sánchez, 2000;Villarreal, 2010). In Mexico, as in many other countries of Latin America and the developing world, most of the elderly do not qualify for a contributory pension (Rofman et al, 2015). This leaves the elderly population at risk of old-age poverty with extremely limited options (if any) but to keep working and/or depend on aid from informal safety nets such as family members (Fan, 2010;Heemskerk et al, 2004).…”