The Role of Independent Regulatory Agencies in Water Access: Evidence from Latin America and the Caribbean
Peer Reviewed
Date issued
Oct 2024
Subject
Water and Sanitation;
Water Supply;
Water Supply and Sanitation;
Regulation;
Infrastructure Regulation;
Sustainable Development Goals;
Regulatory Governance;
Rating;
Economy;
Energy;
Potable Water
JEL code
Q25 - Water;
O54 - Latin America • Caribbean;
Q21 - Demand and Supply • Prices;
O13 - Agriculture • Natural Resources • Energy • Environment • Other Primary Products
Category
Technical Notes
This empirical study investigates the impact of independent regulatory agencies on access to safely managed water in the region during 2000-2022. Utilizing a dynamic panel estimator with bootstrap-based bias correction, we find a positive effect of these agencies. Notably, their impact increases over the first 21 years until reaching a peak. Additionally, our analysis reveals that countries governed by left-wing parties over extended periods experience lower access rates. However, no evidence of political interference in the agencies impact on water access is found.
NO
