Abstract
Assessing the economic
development of Latin America during the twentieth century requires reliable
estimates of living standards as measured by per capita income, life expectancy,
and literacy. New comparable series for Latin America suggest that these three
indicators made the greatest strides during the period from 1940 to 1980. This progress
is probably related to state-led industrialisation, improvements in public
health, and urbanisation. Comparison with US levels reveals that while average
per capita income has generally remained steady, relative living standards
(measured by a composite welfare index) have risen gradually as life expectancy
in the two regions has converged.
JEL keywords: Economic History,
Welfare and Poverty,
Demography, Education, Income and
Wealth
JEL classifications: I31, N36
Corresponding author:
Dr V. FitzGerald,
St Antony’s College,
Woodstock Road,
Oxford OX2 6JF.