Diverse populations face large labor gaps

Indigenous peoples, African descendant persons, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ persons face unique barriers in the labor market. The employment gaps among the various ethnic-racial groups in Latin America and the Caribbean are reflected in the types of jobs they have. These populations tend to work in informal, low-quality, and poorly paid jobs, such as farming, artistry, and the provision of basic services (domestic services or street vending, for example). Additionally, people with disabilities are more likely to be unemployed: among young people between the ages of 24 and 35 in Latin America and the Caribbean, the employment rate for men with disabilities is 24 percentage points lower than for men without disabilities, while for women it is 12 percentage points lower. LGBTQ+ persons also tend to underreport their gender identities and sexual orientations at their workplaces over fear of discrimination, harassment, or dismissal. How can we move forward on this agenda? Use our GDLab investigations search tool to learn more.