In order to explore youth in Latin America this chapter looks at the socio economic and political changes undergone in Latin America over the last 30 years. The chapter emphasises how new democratic governments, changes to economic reforms, social transformations and demographic shifts have together affected the life of youths. The chapter also focuses on the changes in educational opportunities within Latin America, rising unemployment rate, declining wages of youths, international migration and youth poverty

The fact sheet looks at the potential gender impacts of the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) on women in Central America.