Regional Research Brief

Lifelong learning and skills for the future: Insights for Latin America and the Caribbean

This regional brief explores how lifelong learning can help Latin America and the Caribbean navigate technological, demographic and green transitions. It highlights persistent inequalities in access to skills and calls for inclusive, well-financed systems to support decent work.

Content also available in: español

Key points

  • Structural transformations increase the importance of lifelong learning in the region, particularly in light of persistent decent work deficits. Yet many workers lack access to quality learning. The situation is better for workers in formal firms, pointing to stark inequalities linked to formality status and educational attainment.
  • Online vacancy data analysis from Brazil and Uruguay shows that employers demand rounded skills profiles, and that these are associated with improved working conditions. While important, focusing solely on technical skills, including AI and green skills, is not sufficient. Foundational cognitive and socio-emotional skills remain essential.
  • Whether the green transformation and digital change create decent jobs depends on available workforce skills and skills development. Improved infrastructure and supporting industrial and employment policies are also required.
  • The region is ageing rapidly. While this increases care needs, paid care workers often face unfavourable working conditions. Adequate recognition, valuation and remuneration of workers’ skills are important, especially in sectors creating social value.
  • New institutional data from Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Mexico suggests that these countries share a comprehensive understanding of lifelong learning. At the same time, in many countries lifelong learning systems do not meet ambitious goals, with sustainable financing representing a central issue.
  • Rigorous evaluations from the region show that well-designed skills programmes improve labour market outcomes, especially for women. Holistic approaches that lead to recognized qualifications and develop rounded skills profiles often have better results.
Lifelong learning and skills for the future

Lifelong learning and skills for the future

World of Work Series report 2026

Go to the report portal

Additional details

Author(s)

  • Ludovica Gerbino
  • Taehoon Lee
  • Hannah Liepmann

References