Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina are the only countries in Latin America that have regions with a high level of development, according to a survey that gathers eight universities and local study centers, including the Getulio Vargas Foundation.
Of the 182 regions surveyed, 13 have a high level of development. São Paulo is in the 16th position, among the regions of medium-high level. Montevideo, Uruguay, leads the ranking.
The data comes from the first iteration of the Idere Latam (Regional Development Index for Latin America), a tool that measures development at the territorial level of eight Latin countries. The surveyed locations account for 82% of the entire Latin American population.
“Idere is a tool that aims to support governmental decision-making with a focus on policies that face the challenges of social inequality and human development,” says Eduardo Grin, a professor at FGV EAESP (School of Business Administration of São Paulo).
The index was built before the Covid-19 pandemic and considers 25 variables through eight dimensions: Education, Health, Well-being and Cohesion, Economic Activity, Institutions, Security, Environment, and Gender.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon