22 February 2018: The UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) released an updated version of its statistical yearbook, which provides information on economic, environmental and socio-demographic indicators. Gender-related findings include that women hold 28.7% of the seats in national parliaments. On energy, the proportion of renewables in the energy mix increased.

The ‘Statistical Yearbook for Latin America and the Caribbean 2017’ presents descriptive statistical data that can be used to compare data across countries in the region. On demographic and social aspects, the total population of LAC countries reached 641 million by mid-2016, and is predicted to increase to 650 million by 2020. The average size of households fell from 3.9 to 3.6 people between 2008 and 2016, although the number of people per household varies with income. Households with the highest income have an average of 2.7 people per household, while households in the lowest income group have 4.5 people on average.

On gender, the report finds that women’s economic participation is 51% compared to 79% for men. The proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments is 28.7%. SDG 5 (gender equality) includes an indicator on the proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments and local governments, in line with SDG target 5.5 to ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making.

In 2015, the region’s maternal mortality rate was 67 deaths for 100,000 live births. This figure is in line with SDG target 3.1, which aims to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.

Marine resources and forest area declined, while the region’s harvested area continued to increase, and is dominated by soybean production.

On environment, the report finds protected land areas have increased to cover 23.4% of the region, and marine areas make up 3.1%. Still, the region has lost an accumulated 97 million hectares of forest between 1990 and 2015, an amount that is nearly four times the size of Ecuador. Marine resources also declined, while the region’s harvested area continued to increase and remains dominated by soybean production.

On energy, the report finds that the energy intensity of gross domestic product (GDP) declined from 0.9 kilo barrel of oil equivalent (kBOE) in 1990 to 0.81 kBOE in 2015, suggesting efficiency gains. Non-renewable energy supply declined, but the renewable proportion of energy increased from 2013 to 2015.

The report uses information from national statistical offices, central banks, international bodies and other official institutions. The data contained in the 2017 Yearbook relies on information that was available up until December 2017. [ECLAC Press Release] [ECLAC Press Release on Online Launch] [Publication Webpage]