Latin Macro Watch Dataset - Macroeconomic and Financial Indicators for Latin America and the Caribbean

By Department of Research and Chief Economist (VPS/RES/RES)

Latin Macro Watch (LMW) — Macroeconomic and Financial Data for Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin Macro Watch (LMW), also known as the Macro Watch, is a comprehensive macroeconomic and financial database developed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
It provides standardized indicators on economic activity, fiscal and external accounts, financial markets, and macroeconomic forecasts for 26 borrowing member countries across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

The Latin Macro Watch (or Macro Latin) includes long-term series covering critical indicators such as the Index of Industrial Production, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) — including GDP in Central AmericaGross Fixed Capital Formation by country, Exports as a Percentage of GDP by country, and measures of Net Capital Inflows.
Together, these data help users understand the structural and cyclical dynamics of economic growth and investment across the region.

Data are drawn from official national sourcescentral banks, ministries of finance, and national statistical offices — and harmonized using IDB methodologies to ensure comparability over time and across countries.
This makes the LMW a trusted reference for studying macroeconomic performance, fiscal sustainability, and external sector trends in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Historical series are available at monthly , ** quarterly , and annualfrequencies, starting in 1990, supporting robust cross-country and time-series analysis.
The dataset is
data-only (no visualizations) and is currently undergoing revision and enhancement** to improve coverage and methodological transparency.

All data can be downloaded in CSV format, accompanied by detailed metadata describing definitions, sources, units of measure, and update frequency.

Key Features

  • Comprehensive coverage: 26 IDB borrowing member countries in Latin America and the Caribbean
  • Core indicators: GDP, CPI, fiscal accounts, debt, interest rates, external trade, and capital flows
  • Specialized metrics: Index of Industrial Production, Gross Fixed Capital Formation, Exports-to-GDP ratios, and Net Capital Inflows
  • Time coverage: Historical series from 1990 to the latest available year
  • Update frequency: Monthly, quarterly, or annual, depending on indicator availability
  • Transparency: Includes full metadata and methodological documentation
  • Open access: Freely downloadable under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license

Example Applications

  • Tracking macroeconomic and industrial trends across Latin America and the Caribbean
  • Comparing GDP growth and Gross Fixed Capital Formation by country
  • Analyzing Exports as a Percentage of GDP and Net Capital Inflows
  • Monitoring public debt, inflation, and fiscal balance for regional policy analysis
  • Supporting macroeconomic forecasting, investment research, and development planning
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Metadata & use

Identifier https://doi.org/10.60966/2n3c3oib
License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Citation

Inter-American Development Bank (2026). Latin Macro Watch Dataset - Macroeconomic and Financial Indicators for Latin America and the Caribbean. IDB Open Data. https://doi.org/10.60966/2n3c3oib

Published date 2019-03-05
Modified date 2026-06-26
Tags/Keywords Development · Macroeconomics
Language
  1. Spanish
Temporal coverage 1990-2026
Country
Argentina
Bahamas
Trinidad & Tobago
Belize
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
El Salvador
Jamaica
Mexico
Nicaragua
Guatemala
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Panama
Uruguay
Venezuela
Barbados
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Region Latin America and the Caribbean
Publisher
Inter-American Development Bank
Author
Inter-American Development Bank
Data collection type Observational Data
Statistical type Panel Data
Data structure Structured Data
Dataset unit of observation

Indicator-Country-Time Period

Data notes

What is the Latin Macro Watch (LMW)?

The Latin Macro Watch (LMW) is a macroeconomic and financial database developed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
It provides standardized indicators on economic activity, fiscal and external accounts, financial markets, and macroeconomic forecasts for 26 borrowing member countries of the IDB in Latin America and the Caribbean.

What kind of data does it include?

The dataset includes monthly, quarterly, and annual time series beginning in 1990.
Indicators cover the following key areas:

  • Gross Domestic Product (GDP) — real and nominal growth rates
  • Inflation (CPI) — consumer price levels and changes
  • Fiscal Accounts — government revenues, expenditures, and fiscal balance
  • Public Debt — by legislation, creditor type, currency, and maturity
  • Financial Indicators — lending rates, interest payments, and financial sector data
  • External Sector Data — current account, trade balance, and international reserves

All data are standardized using IDB methodologies to ensure cross-country comparability.

What countries are covered in the LMW database?

The Latin Macro Watch includes 26 borrowing member countries of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) across Latin America and the Caribbean:

  • Argentina
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Bolivia
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • El Salvador
  • Guatemala
  • Guyana
  • Haiti
  • Honduras
  • Jamaica
  • Mexico
  • Nicaragua
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Suriname
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Uruguay
  • Venezuela

These countries represent the full set of IDB borrowing members in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region.

How can I use this dataset?

The LMW dataset can be used to:

  • Analyze macroeconomic and financial trends across countries
  • Compare fiscal and external account performance
  • Examine debt evolution and monetary policy outcomes
  • Conduct cross-country benchmarking for academic and policy research

How often is the data updated?

Update frequency varies by indicator and country.
Most series are updated quarterly or annually, depending on when each national institution (central bank, finance ministry, or statistics office) releases data.

What is the time coverage?

Historical series are available from 1990 to the most recent period available, depending on the variable and reporting frequency.

Who compiles and validates the data?

** IDB country economists compile all indicators based on data from official national sources:
central banks, national statistics offices, and ministries of finance.
Each variable includes
metadata** that documents its source, definition, and frequency.

Are forecasts included?

Yes. The Latin Macro Watch features macroeconomic forecasts developed by IDB country economists and their partners, complementing historical data with forward-looking estimates.

Is the dataset being updated or revised?

Yes. The LMW is currently undergoing a revision and enhancement process to improve cross-country comparability, expand the range of indicators, and refine methodologies.

What is included?

Each dataset includes detailed metadata and documentation for all indicators.

Dataset files

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Additional materials

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Indicator files

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