ABSTRACT
The notion that austerity policies implemented in several Latin American countries during the 1980s influenced prevailing demographic trends has a strong intuitive appeal. Shifts in the employment situation have a direct link to the increasing poverty and income concentration observed throughout Latin America during the 1980s, as well as to the changing migration patterns occurring in response to perceived opportunities. The austerity policies undertaken by several Latin American countries at the start of the decade had severe consequences for employment. Separating the demographic effects of austerity from structural long-term processes presents another challenge. In real terms, the earnings of Latin American workers have been greatly reduced since the implementation of austerity policies. In Peru, Bolivia, or other countries where the social consequences of austerity have been more violent, health indicators may have deteriorated more acutely, especially among the poorest population segments, but unfortunately no data are available to confirm the suspicion.
