Economics

Latin America Seen Heading for Deepest Slump Since at Least 1901

  • World Bank forecasts 7.2% contraction for region this year
  • Collapse in commodity exports, tourism deal a blow to nations
Workers move crates of fresh food at a market and distribution center in Rio de Janeiro.Photographer: Leonardo Carrato/Bloomberg
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The World Bank projects the recession in Latin America and the Caribbean will be the worst downturn since reliable data began in 1901, setting back progress on fighting inequality and poverty.

The development institution expects a gross domestic product contraction of more than 7% for 2020, making it worse than any crisis of the past century, including the Great Depression, the 1980s debt crisis and the global financial of 2008-2009, President David Malpass said.