Intergenerational Social Mobility in Latin America: A Review of Existing Evidence

Viniane M. R. Azevedo; Cesar P. Bouillon

doi:10.4067/S0718-88702010000200002

Authors

Viniane M. R. Azevedo Research Department, Inter-American Development Bank
Cesar P. Bouillon Research Department, Inter-American Development Bank

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-88702010000200002

Keywords:

Intergenerational social mobility, Latin America, inequality, social exclusion, education

Abstract

This article reviews evidence on intergenerational social mobility in Latin America. Results indicate that mobility is low in the region, even when compared with the United States and United Kingdom, which rank low on social mobility. The evidence also suggests high levels of immobility at the income distribution’s lower and upper tails. While intergenerational education mobility have improved in recent decades, which may increase income mobility for younger cohorts, overall the region still presents lower intergenerational social mobility. Previous studies suggest that these results might be associated to social exclusion, low access to higher education, and labor market discrimination.

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Author Biography

Cesar P. Bouillon, Research Department, Inter-American Development Bank

Research Department, Inter-American Development Bank

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