LATAM: Health Scores
The most recent update of our Country Insights model places Chile as the leading performer in Latin America in the Health category. In contrast, Bolivia ranks at the bottom among its regional peers.
The Health factor measures the basic health of the population, as reflected by mortality levels (infant, child, maternal), current life expectancy at birth, and the ability of the health system to deliver vaccinations. In our latest update for the third quarter of 2023 (here), Chile, Uruguay, and Costa Rica emerge as the strongest countries in the region, while Suriname, Venezuela, and Bolivia stand at the bottom of the ranking.
Source: Continuum Economics
Chile emerges as a front runner in the health category, evident in its compelling statistics. The nation's life expectancy at birth, reaching 81.2 years in 2023, outshines the regional average in the Americas. Furthermore, Chile has made significant strides in infant and maternal health. The infant mortality rate plummeted by 27.0%, from 8.9 to 6.5 deaths per 1,000 live births between 2000 and 2019, underscoring the effectiveness of the country's healthcare initiatives. The maternal mortality ratio also witnessed a remarkable 53.8% reduction, dropping to 15.0 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020 from the 2000 estimate. These accomplishments are intricately linked to the qualitative assessment that deems Chile's health system as well-functioning, well-organized, and effectively governed.
Bolivia faces significant health challenges. The life expectancy at birth in 2023 stands at 68.8 years, lower than the regional average for the Americas. Moreover, the immunization strategy in Bolivia reveals a decline, with measles vaccination coverage plummeting to 69.0% in 2022, marking a 31-percentage point decrease from 2000. These figures can be attributed to material deficiencies in infrastructure and equipment, alongside organizational and execution capacity issues. However, it is crucial to acknowledge the Bolivian government's proactive stance in addressing these challenges. The introduction of ambitious health reforms in 2019 through the Unified Health System (SUS) model demonstrates a commitment to improvement. The efforts by the Bolivian government, supported by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), have shown promising results, including increased health spending and the reinforcement of primary health care services.
Our latest insights on a group of Latin American countries can be found, with an update expected by end of January.