This web site includes statistics on poverty and other distributional and social variables from 25 Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries. All statistics are computed from microdata of the main household surveys carried out in these countries using a homogenous methodology (data permitting). Statistics are updated periodically.

SEDLAC allows users to monitor the trends in poverty and other distributional and social indicators in the region. The dataset is available in the form of brief reports, charts and electronic Excel tables with information for each country/year. In addition, the website visitor can carry out dynamic searches online.

SEDLAC is an ongoing project. All statistics shown in this site are preliminary. We are grateful to all comments and suggestions that help improving the database.

Background

The Center for Distributional, Labor and Social Studies (CEDLAS) of the University of La Plata, in partnership with the World Bank's Latin America and the Caribbean Poverty and Gender Group (LCSPP), have developed the Socio-Economic Database for Latin America and the Caribbean (SEDLAC) with the purpose of improving the timely access to key socio-economic statistics, including indicators on poverty, inequality, income, employment, access to services, education, health, housing, social programs, and numerous demographics.

SEDLAC has initially benefited from the Program for the Improvement of Surveys and the Measurement of Living Conditions in Latin America and the Caribbean (MECOVI), which contributed to the improvement of the multipurpose household surveys in the LAC region. The databases used in SEDLAC are now provided by the World Bank Team for Statistical Development.

SEDLAC is continually updated and improved based on the feedback from users. Please write to sedlac@cedlas.org. Aside from cross country analyses, staff from CEDLAS and LCSPP analyze and incorporate the data at the country level each time a new survey is available. Consistency checks with other national or international sources of socio-economic statistics are conducted regularly.

Through the support to this project LCSPP contributes to develop analytical capacity and facilitate policy relevant research in the Latin America and Caribbean region that can contribute to reduce poverty and inequality.

The new version of the SEDLAC webpage was possible thanks to the support of the Observatory on Inequality in Latin America.