The Elusive Quest for Growth in Latin American and the Caribbean: The Role of Trust

Interpersonal trust and trust in institutions have been falling steadily over the last couple of decades all over the world. This is particularly problematic because previous research has found strong positive links between trust and economic growth. However, that correlation has yet to be thoroughly explored for Latin America and the Caribbean. This document aims to evaluate that relationship because the recent Covid-19 pandemic and its associated economic crisis has made identifying ways to increase economic development more pressing than ever. Trust could play a key role in addressing the pandemic and related difficulties, and this document identifies some ways in which it could do so.