Social Protection Under Good Economic Performance but Social Strain: Lessons From the Latin American Experience (2000–2017)

During 2000-2017, Latin America (LA) achieved an annual growth rates of GDP of 2.6%. This generated an increase in the average monthly salary and a reduction in the Gini index. However, said improvements were unequal among the region, causing social strain and discontent in the groups that were not benefited by the economic growth. In response, governments built social protection networks that were meant to promote greater equity and increase the impact of growth on poverty. This paper aims to get lessons from LA experiences of actions taken by the governments, during the years 2000 and 2017, in order to boost opportunities. To achieve this, an analysis of the social protection networks is made around six key elements of management: identification of beneficiaries, supply chain management of public goods, system of information, education and training, monitoring and evaluation systems, process of graduation and, institutional coordination.