Fiscal Panorama of Latin America and the Caribbean 2026

As in previous years, the Fiscal Outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean, 2026 analyses the evolution and main trends in public revenue and expenditure, fiscal balances, public debt and subnational finances in the region in 2025. Having been a year of high uncertainty and limited fiscal space, countries face the need to strengthen their tax systems to finance their public spending and investment policies in the face of a persistent fiscal deficit and high levels of debt. Specifically, this year’s Fiscal Outlook includes a study of non-compliance relating to personal income tax in five countries in the region, highlighting a set of recent strategies to improve collection, as well as an innovative methodology for examining tax expenditures aimed at social objectives in 12 Latin American countries—an important issue given the need for more transparent management and evaluation of this type of expenditure to improve its effectiveness. Overall, and across the board, the report highlights the importance of improving institutional capacities to achieve fiscal policies that underpin more productive, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the region.