This paper extends the comparative social security literature on Latin America by incorporating an evaluative dimension. The purpose of this paper is to rank social security systems in 36 Latin American countries using a comparative evaluation methodology that enables an assessment to be made of a country's statutory social security intention. The conclusion drawn is that the region with the best designed Latin American social security systems is Central America, very marginally ahead of South America. The best-designed national social security systems in Latin American be found in Bolivia, Uruguay , Brazil, Nicaragua and Argentina. World-class designed social security programs exist in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Nicaragua.
Latin America; social security; evaluation methodology
