Latin America and the Caribbean Demographic Observatory / Observatorio Demogra?fico Ame?rica Latina Y El Caribe – serie

This publication compiles selected indicators concerning population estimates and projections at the national level for 38 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. The estimates and projections for the 20 Latin American countries were prepared by CELADE–Population Division of ECLAC, together with the United Nations Population Division (UNPD). The figures for the Caribbean countries were prepared by UNPD. In this edition, the customary analytical chapter looks at recent population trends in the region. The technical notes list the data sources consulted for each country.

This publication uses national sources of data on deaths from civil registry offices and health information systems to analyse the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on mortality in the countries of the region. In addition, by means of a simulation exercise based on different scenarios of COVID-19 prevalence rates, it estimates the impact of COVID-19-related deaths on life expectancy at birth for the 38 countries and territories of Latin America and the Caribbean. The information used to prepare this edition of the Demographic Observatory corresponds to official information on deaths and causes of death available at 31 October 2020, as well as population estimates and projections prepared by the United Nations.

This edition of the Demographic Observatory analyses the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the population and housing censuses of the countries of the region, based on information available until October 2021, seeking to identify possible areas of action to obtain relevant information in support of policies and programmes aimed at overcoming the difficulties caused by the pandemic, and measure the effects of the crisis on the population.

The 2022 edition of the Demographic Observatory offers selected indicators of population estimates and projections for 38 countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean. The estimates and projections were prepared by CELADE in conjunction with the United Nations Population Division (UNPD) for the 20 countries of Latin America; those for the 18 Caribbean countries and territories were prepared by UNPD. This new release updates previously published figures and uses the cohort component method by single ages and calendar years, unlike the 2019 edition, which was prepared for years ending in 0 and 5 and for age groups.

In this edition of the Demographic Observatory, the impact of population dynamics is illustrated through an analysis of selected indicators of labour force estimates and projections by sex, age and area of residence for the 1980-2050 period in the 20 countries of Latin America, using the 2023 Revision prepared by the Latin American and Caribbean Demographic Centre (CELADE)-Population Division of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). The analysis highlights that structural changes in the labour force over the 1980-2022 period and projections through to 2050 show markedly different scenarios depending on age group, sex, and urban or rural area. This has implications for public policy in areas such as labour, education, health and care. The report also outlines the methodology applied and the data sources used to produce the estimates and projections.