The report "Focus on Latin America from the 2018 Risks that Matter Survey" compares perceptions of risks and government effectiveness across Europe, Israel, and the Americas, specifically focusing on Latin America. Key findings include:
Global Economic Discontent: Many respondents from both the OECD's Risks that Matter survey and LAPOP's AmericasBarometer report indicate that their country's economic situation has deteriorated compared to the previous year.
Widespread Concerns: People across the surveyed regions express significant concerns about making ends meet, experiencing crime or violence, unemployment, illness, and economic downturns. These issues are particularly pronounced among lower-income individuals.
Government Failure to Incorporate Citizen Views: Over half of respondents in the analyzed countries believe that the government is failing to incorporate their views into social policy design and reform.
Cross-National Attitudes Towards Social Protection: While there are variations in the level and quality of social services provided, some common concerns regarding social protection are universal across the surveyed countries.
Methodology: The analysis draws from a collaborative effort between the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP). This involves sharing four identical questions across their respective surveys in 2018 and 2019, covering seven Latin American countries and 21 OECD countries.
The report underscores the importance of ensuring adequate access to social protection while highlighting the need for governments to enhance transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in social policy development.