Publications

Global uncertainty, especially on geopolitical and commercial issues, has been creating a complex and atypical environment for Latin America in 2025. This has led to high market volatility, caution from monetary policy, and broader than normal ranges when forecasting economic variables.

Domestic demand remains strong, despite some recent signs of moderation. However, the lagged effects of sharp monetary tightening—now mostly over—along with less expansionary fiscal policy and a less supportive global backdrop are expected to pave the way for a deceleration of both GDP growth and inflation.

The last months of 2024 gave some glimpses of the challenges Latam could face in the coming years. However, looking beyond the first quarter of 2025, some—albeit not all—of these warning signs have faded.

GDP growth is expected to slow to 1.6% in 2025 and 1.8% in 2026, following three years of around 3% growth. The slowdown will be driven by tighter monetary conditions, a weaker fiscal impulse, and a less favorable global context, though the primary sector and labor market resilience will provide support.

The last two years in Latin America have been marked by differences in macroeconomic policy strategies. Chile and Peru have made significant interest rate reductions as their inflation has allowed. Meanwhile, Colombia and Mexico are more reluctant to implement significant reductions in their rates.

The Latin American economy faces crosswinds in a scenario of disequilibrium, in line with international dynamics, where the main economic variables are still adjusting after the disruptive events of the most recent years.

The global slowdown makes the domestic recovery more difficult.

Brazil: recovery prospects remain in place, despite weaker growth at the beginning of 2019