Territorial Development and Decentralisation in Latin America and the Caribbean: A comparative study across 22 countries

This study analyses decentralisation and territorial development in Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting that 82% of the population now lives in urban areas. This high level of urbanisation, alongside growing territorial challenges, underscores the urgent need to strengthen subnational governments and advance effective decentralisation to bring decision-making closer to citizens.

✅ 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 
🔻 C̲h̲a̲l̲l̲e̲n̲g̲e̲s̲
Legal frameworks support decentralisation, but centralism and power imbalances persist.
Local governments often take on more responsibilities than they are funded for, especially in health, education, and social care.
Limited access to financing threatens long-term territorial development.
Capacity gaps remain due to unstable staffing and limited institutional resources.
Inclusion and transparency frameworks exist but are not fully implemented, and women remain underrepresented in leadership.
 
🔹 O̲p̲p̲o̲r̲t̲u̲n̲i̲t̲i̲e̲s̲
A shift toward a territorial, collaborative approach to development is both necessary and timely.
Stronger subnational governments can boost democratic resilience.
Fiscal reform is essential for meaningful decentralisation.
Intermunicipal and metropolitan cooperation can amplify territorial impact.
Digitalisation and AI offer new pathways for better governance and service delivery.
 
🌎 Countries covered:
Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

✨ Why it matters:
In a context where data is often scarce or outdated, this study serves as a vital resource for policymakers, researchers, development practitioners, and anyone committed to strengthening local governance in LAC.