Indigenous Peoples in Latin America: Achievements and Challenges in the First Decade of the Millennium

Achievements

• Golden Decade: Indigenous peoples benefited from the economic boom.
  • Improved access to basic services and education.
  • Significant reduction in poverty levels.
• Inclusion in Decision-Making:
  • More participation in electoral processes and leadership roles.
  • Enhanced legal frameworks protecting indigenous rights.
  • Latin America leads globally with 15 of 22 countries ratifying ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples.

Persistent Gaps and Barriers

• Comparative Poverty Reduction:
  • Indigenous households saw a 45% reduction in poverty in Peru vs. 55% in non-indigenous households.
  • Wider pre-existing gaps at the decade's end.
  • Indigenous households still represent double the poverty levels of non-indigenous ones.
  • Indigenous population: 42 million (8% of the population) but 17% of those in extreme poverty.
• Economic and Social Barriers:
  • Limitations in market integration and equitable public policy benefits.
  • Example: In Ecuador, indigenous head of household increases poverty probability by 15%, +6% if they are a woman, +26% if they live in a rural area.
  • Lower secondary education completion rates by 17% for indigenous children.

Urban Challenges

• Urban Living Conditions:
  • Half of the indigenous population now in urban areas.
  • Policies still largely designed for rural areas, leading to inadequate urban support.
  • High rates of unsafe settlements and lack of basic services.
  • 36% of indigenous households live in slums or favelas, double that of non-indigenous households.
  • Indigenous urban homes with dirt floors and no electricity are six times higher than non-indigenous homes.

Vision and Development

• Unique Development Vision:
  • Indigenous peoples have distinct perspectives on development.
  • Their voices and ideas are crucial to the development agenda.
• Report Highlights:
  • "Indigenous Latin America in the 21st Century Report" reviews progress and challenges.
• Importance of Inclusion:
  • Indigenous peoples as key partners for sustainable growth and inclusive prosperity.
  • Inclusion is both morally right and economically beneficial.