Latin America's Aging Challenge

Report by Gabriela Aparicio, Neil Howe, Richard Jackson, Keisuke Nakashima, and Rebecca Strauss

Published March 24, 2009

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Demographics and Retirement Policy in Brazil, Chile, and Mexico

Latin America’s Aging Challenge: Demographics and Retirement Policy in Brazil, Chile, and Mexico examines the economic, social, and geopolitical implications of the dramatic demographic transformation that is about to overtake the region. When people in other parts of the world think of Latin America, they usually picture youthful societies characterized by lofty birthrates, large families, and chronic labor surpluses. Yet by mid-century, several of the region’s largest economies may have older populations than the United States. The report argues that Latin America has an important—but rapidly narrowing—window of opportunity to prepare for the aging challenge. If it fails to strengthen its retirement systems and boost living standards, the age wave could lead to widespread economic hardship and social instability—even a “humanitarian aging crisis.”

Gabriela Aparicio

Neil Howe

Richard Jackson

Keisuke Nakashima

Rebecca Strauss