Latinometrics’ Post

🤔 Prioritizing mental health is crucial, but why do some countries struggle to make it accessible? Let's explore. ↓ When’s the last time you considered seeing somebody for a psychological issue you were facing? When’s the last time you brought up the subject to a friend, or heard them share their experience with therapy? If you just answer Pshh…never, you’re not alone. Mental illness or health issues remain taboo in many cultures, only discussed when something terrible happens. But that isn’t the case everywhere. In fact, Argentines prioritize mental health like no other people. According to the World Health Organization, there are 223 practicing psychologists per 100K people in Argentina, well ahead of the global average. In second place worldwide is another Latin American country, Costa Rica. What makes these numbers doubly surprising is the extent to which both countries deviate from the regional norm. Experts believe that Argentina's high concentration of psychologists is due to its open culture, which makes no distinction between physical and mental health. Unlike in many societies, Argentines generally do not stigmatize therapy. And thanks to solid demand, psychologists don't struggle to find employment; about 84% secure a job within their first year after graduation—something we’re sure drives many other industries jealous. Compare that to another extreme, Mexico, which has only 3 psychologists per 100K people. In other words, the average Argentinian has 64x more psychologists available than the average Mexican. Stigma surrounding mental health continues to plague Mexican society, making it harder for everyday people to address the problems they face in a healthy, sustainable manner. Mexico isn’t along in walking this difficult road—Brazil and most of Central America also have their own challenges in advancing the social well being of their citizens. But mental health is important, and for each of these countries it’s worth recalling just how much quality access to care can change patients’ lives.

🧠🇦🇷 Mental health: a taboo topic in many cultures, but not in Argentina! Learn why ↓ When’s the last time you considered seeing somebody for a psychological issue you were facing? When’s the last time you brought up the subject to a friend, or heard them share their experience with therapy? If you just answer Pshh…never, you’re not alone. Mental illness or health issues remain taboo in many cultures, only discussed when something terrible happens. But that isn’t the case everywhere. In fact, Argentines prioritize mental health like no other people. According to the World Health Organization, there are 223 practicing psychologists per 100K people in Argentina, well ahead of the global average. In second place worldwide is another Latin American country, Costa Rica. What makes these numbers doubly surprising is the extent to which both countries deviate from the regional norm. Experts believe that Argentina's high concentration of psychologists is due to its open culture, which makes no distinction between physical and mental health. Unlike in many societies, Argentines generally do not stigmatize therapy. And thanks to solid demand, psychologists don't struggle to find employment; about 84% secure a job within their first year after graduation—something we’re sure drives many other industries jealous. Compare that to another extreme, Mexico, which has only 3 psychologists per 100K people. In other words, the average Argentinian has 64x more psychologists available than the average Mexican. Stigma surrounding mental health continues to plague Mexican society, making it harder for everyday people to address the problems they face in a healthy, sustainable manner. Mexico isn’t along in walking this difficult road—Brazil and most of Central America also have their own challenges in advancing the social well being of their citizens. But mental health is important, and for each of these countries it’s worth recalling just how much quality access to care can change patients’ lives.

📖Which Latin American universities are most cited by academics worldwide? Let’s find out ↓ Today we’re looking at the QS World University Rankings for 2024, quite possibly the definite choice for evaluating universities. And what do you know, Latin America is well represented, with 191 of its universities making up just under a fifth of the top 1000 universities worldwide. Unsurprisingly, Brazil and Mexico dominate here, with Latin America’s two largest countries each having over 30 universities in the upper echelon of academia. However, following them it’s a three-way tie for third place, as Argentina, Chile, and Colombia each have 25 universities among the world’s best. From there, most of Latin America’s countries make an appearance, though Ecuador is interestingly better represented than its much larger Andean peers of Peru and Venezuela. If so many universities in LatAm are worthy of praise, how do we know where to send our kids to become teachers, engineers, or “project managers” then? Let’s dig deeper. Brazil and Mexico not only top the region in quantity, but also quality. USP - Universidade de São Paulo and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) are LatAm's best universities, with a level of academic excellence deserving of the sprawling metropolises that host them. While USP boasts thirteen Brazilian presidents among its distinguished alumni, UNAM is alone in the feat that every Mexican Nobel laureate has either studied or worked there. These incredible universities are driving the region forward to greater successes—and they’re doing it as federally-funded public universities, showcasing what’s possible when a country invests in its future. But don’t think that USP and UNAM are lonely at the top. Universidad de Buenos Aires and University of the Andes lock in the Argentinean and Colombian presence, respectively. Meanwhile, Catholic universities founded by holy decree are themselves quite successful. One such university in Santiago is renowned the world over for the quality of its research, while our very own Senior Editor can attest to the fascinating research in international politics being carried out at the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro. Some of these universities, like Uniandes or Mexico’s Tecnológico de Monterrey, are stellar based off the employment outcomes of their graduates. Others, like the three largest universities in the state of São Paulo, employ faculty who are widely-cited and respected within their respective fields. Many of the federal universities on this list are tuition-free for students who pass their entrance exam, or offer subsidized lunches. They also have faced budget cuts in recent years but nonetheless produce some of their countries’ brightest minds. No matter where you choose to obtain your Bachelor’s, PhD, or MBA, selecting the right university is often the first step. Chances are, LatAm has got the right university for you—if you know where to look.

🎓 Latin America is home to 191 of the world's top 1000 universities - who's leading the pack? Today we’re looking at the QS World University Rankings for 2024, quite possibly the definite choice for evaluating universities. And what do you know, Latin America is well represented, with 191 of its universities making up just under a fifth of the top 1000 universities worldwide. Unsurprisingly, Brazil and Mexico dominate here, with Latin America’s two largest countries each having over 30 universities in the upper echelon of academia. However, following them it’s a three-way tie for third place, as Argentina, Chile, and Colombia each have 25 universities among the world’s best. From there, most of Latin America’s countries make an appearance, though Ecuador is interestingly better represented than its much larger Andean peers of Peru and Venezuela. If so many universities in LatAm are worthy of praise, how do we know where to send our kids to become teachers, engineers, or “project managers” then? Let’s dig deeper. Brazil and Mexico not only top the region in quantity, but also quality. USP - Universidade de São Paulo and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) are LatAm's best universities, with a level of academic excellence deserving of the sprawling metropolises that host them. While USP boasts thirteen Brazilian presidents among its distinguished alumni, UNAM is alone in the feat that every Mexican Nobel laureate has either studied or worked there. These incredible universities are driving the region forward to greater successes—and they’re doing it as federally-funded public universities, showcasing what’s possible when a country invests in its future. But don’t think that USP and UNAM are lonely at the top. Universidad de Buenos Aires and University of the Andes lock in the Argentinean and Colombian presence, respectively. Meanwhile, Catholic universities founded by holy decree are themselves quite successful. One such university in Santiago is renowned the world over for the quality of its research, while our very own Senior Editor can attest to the fascinating research in international politics being carried out at the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro. Some of these universities, like Uniandes or Mexico’s Tecnológico de Monterrey, are stellar based off the employment outcomes of their graduates. Others, like the three largest universities in the state of São Paulo, employ faculty who are widely-cited and respected within their respective fields. Many of the federal universities on this list are tuition-free for students who pass their entrance exam, or offer subsidized lunches. They also have faced budget cuts in recent years but nonetheless produce some of their countries’ brightest minds. No matter where you choose to obtain your Bachelor’s, PhD, or MBA, selecting the right university is often the first step. Chances are, LatAm has got the right university for you—if you know where to look.

🎓 "Education is a key that unlocks many doors" - but what doors are opening up in Latin America? Today we’re looking at the QS World University Rankings for 2024, quite possibly the definite choice for evaluating universities. And what do you know, Latin America is well represented, with 191 of its universities making up just under a fifth of the top 1000 universities worldwide. Unsurprisingly, Brazil and Mexico dominate here, with Latin America’s two largest countries each having over 30 universities in the upper echelon of academia. However, following them it’s a three-way tie for third place, as Argentina, Chile, and Colombia each have 25 universities among the world’s best. From there, most of Latin America’s countries make an appearance, though Ecuador is interestingly better represented than its much larger Andean peers of Peru and Venezuela. If so many universities in LatAm are worthy of praise, how do we know where to send our kids to become teachers, engineers, or “project managers” then? Let’s dig deeper. Brazil and Mexico not only top the region in quantity, but also quality. USP - Universidade de São Paulo and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) are LatAm's best universities, with a level of academic excellence deserving of the sprawling metropolises that host them. While USP boasts thirteen Brazilian presidents among its distinguished alumni, UNAM is alone in the feat that every Mexican Nobel laureate has either studied or worked there. These incredible universities are driving the region forward to greater successes—and they’re doing it as federally-funded public universities, showcasing what’s possible when a country invests in its future. But don’t think that USP and UNAM are lonely at the top. Universidad de Buenos Aires and University of the Andes lock in the Argentinean and Colombian presence, respectively. Meanwhile, Catholic universities founded by holy decree are themselves quite successful. One such university in Santiago is renowned the world over for the quality of its research, while our very own Senior Editor can attest to the fascinating research in international politics being carried out at the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro. Some of these universities, like Uniandes or Mexico’s Tecnológico de Monterrey, are stellar based off the employment outcomes of their graduates. Others, like the three largest universities in the state of São Paulo, employ faculty who are widely-cited and respected within their respective fields. Many of the federal universities on this list are tuition-free for students who pass their entrance exam, or offer subsidized lunches. They also have faced budget cuts in recent years but nonetheless produce some of their countries’ brightest minds. No matter where you choose to obtain your Bachelor’s, PhD, or MBA, selecting the right university is often the first step. Chances are, LatAm has got the right university for you—if you know where to look.

🇲🇽💰 Did you know remittances equal 13% of Mexico's government budget? Read on ↓ Forty-six months in a row. That's how long remittance volume in Mexico has grown (compared to the same month of the previous year). The $63B that Mexicans abroad sent home last year is 70% more than pre-pandemic levels and almost 3x the amount they were sending ten years ago. Remittances are not just numbers on a balance sheet. They play a vital role in the Mexican economy, equal to about 13% the amount of the government's budget. Unlike the budget, most of this money goes straight into the pockets of hardworking Mexicans and their families, making a tangible difference in their lives. This flow of money, which is about the size of Costa Rica's entire GDP, goes to the families of migrants in the US. Despite Mexico's expanding job market, families' dependence on these transfers is increasing. According to National Institute of Statistics and Geography of Mexico (INEGI), remittances represented 17% of the average Mexican's income in 2022. This dependence is quite relative. Despite its massive remittance market, second only to India, Mexico's economy as a whole is much less dependent on remittances than some of its neighbors in Central America. Notably, Honduras's GDP is 27% remittances, while Mexico's GDP is only 4%. Remittances bring mixed feelings. On one hand, they represent an avenue for millions to feed and even thrive through hard work. On the other, they represent a need for more prospects to do so back home, and some theorize that money laundering and drug trafficking are behind part of the growth. Realistically, these flows of money aren't going anywhere, but the less dependent a country's citizens can be on them, the better that country is doing in opportunity creation.

🇲🇽💸 Forty-six months of non-stop growth! Why are Mexicans abroad sending home more money than ever before? Forty-six months in a row. That's how long remittance volume in Mexico has grown (compared to the same month of the previous year). The $63B that Mexicans abroad sent home last year is 70% more than pre-pandemic levels and almost 3x the amount they were sending ten years ago. Remittances are not just numbers on a balance sheet. They play a vital role in the Mexican economy, equal to about 13% the amount of the government's budget. Unlike the budget, most of this money goes straight into the pockets of hardworking Mexicans and their families, making a tangible difference in their lives. This flow of money, which is about the size of Costa Rica's entire GDP, goes to the families of migrants in the US. Despite Mexico's expanding job market, families' dependence on these transfers is increasing. According to INEGI, remittances represented 17% of the average Mexican's income in 2022. This dependence is quite relative. Despite its massive remittance market, second only to India, Mexico's economy as a whole is much less dependent on remittances than some of its neighbors in Central America. Notably, Honduras's GDP is 27% remittances, while Mexico's GDP is only 4%. Remittances bring mixed feelings. On one hand, they represent an avenue for millions to feed and even thrive through hard work. On the other, they represent a need for more prospects to do so back home, and some theorize that money laundering and drug trafficking are behind part of the growth. Realistically, these flows of money aren't going anywhere, but the less dependent a country's citizens can be on them, the better that country is doing in opportunity creation.

💬 What's holding back trade between Latin American countries? Let's dive into the perplexing dynamics ↓ Here at Latinometrics, we’ve often been quick to give Mexico its flowers. This shouldn’t be too surprising—we were founded in sunny Torreón ☀️, after all. But it’s hard not to see the vast opportunities coming out of Mexico, a G20 economy that has low unemployment and major trade deals with some of the world’s biggest markets. Trade is hugely important for Mexico’s economy, making up over three-quarters of the country’s GDP in 2019. But let’s be clear: most of that trade is heading north, not south. Only about 5% of Mexico’s total trade is with other Latin American countries. The remainder heads to the rest of the world, particularly the US, showing to what degree Mexico really is an outlier compared to its regional peers. Don’t believe us? Even Panama, notable for its liberal commercial policies, special economic zones, and international canal, trades more with its Latin American neighbours… though geography might help with that. On the flip side, there are landlocked countries like Paraguay and Bolivia. Both of these states import from—and export to—their neighbors more than the rest of the world. So, while the President of Mexico may need to watch US financial markets like a hawk, leaders in Asunción and La Paz would do well to ensure harmonious commercial relations with their peers in regional trading blocs like MERCOSUR . Now, no doubt the future for each country in the region is a healthy balance of intraregional trade within Latin America and extra-regional trade with overseas countries. Even developed, industrialized economies like Germany will maintain robust trade ties with European neighbours like France as well as foreign superpowers such as China or the US. But it’s clear that intraregional trade in Latin America has failed to keep up with the region’s overall trade portfolio. Latin Americans are buying and selling more on the world market, which is good, but they are also growing increasingly dependent on external powers in the process. And we’re hardly the only ones seeing this trend. In 2022, economic policy expert Shannon K. O'Neil of the Council on Foreign Relations assessed the effects of globalization on Latin America. According to her, the region had yet to truly take advantage of its vast potential, particularly owing to weak intraregional commercial ties. So perhaps Mexico’s future doesn’t have to just be with the US, or Brazil’s merely with China. Perhaps the future are these countries’ very own neighbours.

🇲🇽 💰 Did you know 75% of Mexico's GDP comes from trade? But here's the twist... read on ↓ Here at Latinometrics, we’ve often been quick to give Mexico its flowers. This shouldn’t be too surprising—we were founded in sunny Torreón ☀️, after all. But it’s hard not to see the vast opportunities coming out of Mexico, a G20 economy that has low unemployment and major trade deals with some of the world’s biggest markets. Trade is hugely important for Mexico’s economy, making up over three-quarters of the country’s GDP in 2019. But let’s be clear: most of that trade is heading north, not south. Only about 5% of Mexico’s total trade is with other Latin American countries. The remainder heads to the rest of the world, particularly the US, showing to what degree Mexico really is an outlier compared to its regional peers. Don’t believe us? Even Panama, notable for its liberal commercial policies, special economic zones, and international canal, trades more with its Latin American neighbours… though geography might help with that. On the flip side, there are landlocked countries like Paraguay and Bolivia. Both of these states import from—and export to—their neighbors more than the rest of the world. So, while the President of Mexico may need to watch US financial markets like a hawk, leaders in Asunción and La Paz would do well to ensure harmonious commercial relations with their peers in regional trading blocs like MERCOSUR . Now, no doubt the future for each country in the region is a healthy balance of intraregional trade within Latin America and extra-regional trade with overseas countries. Even developed, industrialized economies like Germany will maintain robust trade ties with European neighbours like France as well as foreign superpowers such as China or the US. But it’s clear that intraregional trade in Latin America has failed to keep up with the region’s overall trade portfolio. Latin Americans are buying and selling more on the world market, which is good, but they are also growing increasingly dependent on external powers in the process. And we’re hardly the only ones seeing this trend. In 2022, economic policy expert Shannon K. O'Neil of the Council on Foreign Relations assessed the effects of globalization on Latin America. According to her, the region had yet to truly take advantage of its vast potential, particularly owing to weak intraregional commercial ties. So perhaps Mexico’s future doesn’t have to just be with the US, or Brazil’s merely with China. Perhaps the future are these countries’ very own neighbours.