Indigenous Peoples in Latin America: Statistical July 16, 2020August 5, 2021
Information
Carla Y. Davis-Castro
This report provides statistical information on
This report provides statistical information on
indigenousIndigenous peoples in Latin America. Data and peoples in Latin America. Data and
Research Librarian
Research Librarian
findings vary, sometimes greatly, on all topics covered in this report, including populations and
findings vary, sometimes greatly, on all topics covered in this report, including populations and
languages, socioeconomic data, land and natural resources, human rights and international legal
languages, socioeconomic data, land and natural resources, human rights and international legal
conventions. For exampleconventions. For example
, Figure 1, shows three the figure below shows four estimates for the estimates for the
indigenousIndigenous population of population of
Latin
America. These estimates range from UNICEF’s 2009 estimate of the total indigenous population of Latin America of 29.4 million; to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean’s (ECLAC’s) 2014 estimate of 44.7 million; to the World Bank’s (WB’s) 2015 estimate of 41.8 million (7.85% of the population).
Total
Latin America ranging from 41.8 million to 53.4 million. The statistics vary depending on the source methodology, changes in national censuses, the number of countries covered, and the years examined.
Indigenous Population and Percentage of General Population of Latin America
Source: Sources: Graphic created by CRS using Graphic created by CRS using
UNICEF and FUNPROEIB Andes’ (UNICEF) 2009 Atlas Sociolingüístico de Pueblos Indígenas en
América Latinathe World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab with webpage last updated in July 2021; ECLAC and FILAC’s 2020 Los pueblos indígenas de América Latina - Abya Yala y la Agenda 2030 para el Desarrollo Sostenible: tensiones y desafíos desde una perspectiva territorial; the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and World Bank’s (WB) 2015 ; the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and World Bank’s (WB) 2015
Indigenous Latin America in
the twenty-first century: the first decade; and ECLAC’s 2014 Guaranteeing Indigenous; and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean’s (ECLAC) 2014 Guaranteeing indigenous people’s rights in Latin America: Progress in the past decade and remaining challenges. Notes: The ECLAC report includes a table titled “Latin America (17 countries): population of indigenous peoples according to censuses and estimates, around 2010.”. Notes: The World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab webpage covers 14 Latin American countries. ECLAC and FILAC’s report uses national censuses from 17 countries, The World Bank report uses national censuses The World Bank report uses national censuses
to provide demographic informationfrom 16 countries to estimate the population and and
notes “for countries without census data available for the end of the decade, the notes “for countries without census data available for the end of the decade, the
indigenousIndigenous population was estimated by applying population was estimated by applying
the percentage of the last census to the 2010 projection of the national population.the percentage of the last census to the 2010 projection of the national population.
” The ECLAC report includes a table titled “Latin America (17 countries): population of Indigenous peoples according to censuses and estimates, around 2010.” The population percentage is based on the total population calculated in each source.
Definitions of Indigenous
Definitions of indigenous peoples also vary. The United Nations and many countries rely on self-identification of peoples also vary. The United Nations and many countries rely on self-identification of
indigenousIndigenous peoples. In counting distinct groups, this report uses the term “peoples. In counting distinct groups, this report uses the term “
indigenousIndigenous groups” rather than “tribe,” “nation,” “ethnic groups” rather than “tribe,” “nation,” “ethnic
minority,” or “sociolinguistic group.” minority,” or “sociolinguistic group.”
Resource lists for each section (
A compilation of selected informational resources, covering languages; socioeconomics; land, natural resources, and climate change; international languages; socioeconomics; land, natural resources, and climate change; international
organizations; and human rightsorganizations; and human rights
) are, is available in the appendix as well as a available in the appendix as well as a
listslist of national agencies that oversee of national agencies that oversee
indigenous Indigenous affairs in each Central American or South American country. affairs in each Central American or South American country.
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Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 15
Terms ......................................................................................................................................... 15
Population Data ............................................................................................................................... 26
Indigenous Groups and Languages ........................................................................................... 7 11
Socioeconomic Data ...................................................................................................................... 10
Land and Natural Resources15
Access to Services .......................................................................................................... 17
Climate Change......... 15 Access to Education and Work ................................................................................................ 18
Land and Natural Resources ....................... 18
Human Rights and Multilateral Instruments ................................................................................... 19
Figures
Figure 1. Total Indigenous Population and Percentage of General Population of Latin
America 21
Climate Change ....................................................................................................................... 22
Human Rights and Multilateral Instruments ................................................................................. 3
23
Figures Figure 1. Indigenous Population and Percentage of General Population of Latin America ............ 7 Figure 2. Indigenous Population in Latin America as Percentage of General Population by
Country ......................................................................................................................................... 6 10
Figure 3. Total Number of Indigenous Groups in Latin America ........................................................... 12 8
Figure 4. Total Number of Indigenous Languages in Latin America ..................................................... 12 8
Figure 5. Rates of Indigenous People Living on Less than $5.50 a Day in Select Latin
American Countries ..................................................................................................................... 11 15
Figure 6. Electricity Access Rates in Select Latin American Countries (2018) ........................................ 1216
Figure 7. Internet Access Rates in Select Latin American Countries (2018) ................................. 12........... 16
Figure 8. Ownership of Dwelling Rates in Select Latin American Countries (2018) ............................... 1317
Figure 9. Sewage Access Rates in Select Latin American Countries (2018) ............................................ 1317
Figure 10. Water Access Rates in Select Latin American Countries (2018) ..................................... 14........ 18
Figure 11. Literacy Rates ages 18-65 in Select Latin American Countries (20182021) .......................................... 15 19
Figure 12. School Attendance Rates ages 6-25 in Select Latin American Countries (2018) ......................... 152021)......... 19
Figure 13. Unemployment Rates ages 18-65 in Select Latin American Countries (20182021) .............................. 16 20
Figure 14. High-Skill & Low-Skill Occupation Rates ages 18-65 in Select Latin
American Countries
(2018) .................(2021) ........................................................................................................................ 16 20
Tables
Table 1. Indigenous Populations and Percentages of General Population in Latin America
by Country .................................................................................................................................... 48
Table 2. Indigenous Groups and Languages of Latin America by Country .................................... 9 13
Table 3. Latin America and Multilateral Instruments on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights .................. 2023
Table 4. Human Rights Events and Legal Cases about the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
in the Inter-American System 1996-2020 .................................................................................. 2125
Table A-1. Resources on Indigenous Languages in Latin America ............................................... 24
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Indigenous Peoples in Latin America: Statistical Information
Table A-1. Resources on Indigenous Languages in Latin America ............................................... 27 Table A-2. Resources on Indigenous Socioeconomics .................................................................. 2428
Table A-3. Resources on Indigenous Land, Natural Resources, and Climate Change in
Latin America ............................................................................................................................. 2528
Table A-4. Resources on International Organizations and Indigenous Peoples in Latin
America ...................................................................................................................................... 2730
Table A-5. Resources on Indigenous Peoples’ Human Rights in Latin America........................... 2731
Table B-1. Principal National Agencies Overseeing Indigenous Affairs ....................................... 2933
Appendixes
Appendix A. Data Sources and Resources Lists............................................................................ 2326
Appendix B. National Agencies of Indigenous Affairs ................................................................. 2933
Contacts
Author Information ........................................................................................................................ 3034
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Indigenous Peoples in Latin America: Statistical Information
Introduction
Congress has long been interested in the status of Congress has long been interested in the status of
indigenousIndigenous peoples abroad. In 1992, the 102nd peoples abroad. In 1992, the 102nd
Congress enacted H.R. 5368 (P.L. 102-391) requiring the State Department’s annual human rights Congress enacted H.R. 5368 (P.L. 102-391) requiring the State Department’s annual human rights
report to “describe the extent to which report to “describe the extent to which
indigenousIndigenous people are able to participate in decisions people are able to participate in decisions
affecting their lands, cultures, traditions and the allocation of natural resources, and assess the affecting their lands, cultures, traditions and the allocation of natural resources, and assess the
extent of protection of their civil and political rights.” Issues relating to extent of protection of their civil and political rights.” Issues relating to
indigenousIndigenous peoples peoples
abroad periodically have been considered in hearings focused on such periodically have been considered in hearings focused on such
issuestopics as environmental as environmental
protection, energy opportunities, and protection, energy opportunities, and
security cooperationhuman rights.1 .1
This report provides statistical information on
This report provides statistical information on
indigenousIndigenous peoples in Latin America, including peoples in Latin America, including
populations and languages, socioeconomic data, land and natural resources, human rights, and populations and languages, socioeconomic data, land and natural resources, human rights, and
international legal conventions. international legal conventions.
Resource lists for each section (A compilation of informational resources on languages; socioeconomics; land languages; socioeconomics; land
and resources; international organizations; and human rightsand resources; international organizations; and human rights
) are available are available
in the tables ofin Appendix A. Table B-1 lists nationalNational agencies that oversee agencies that oversee
indigenousIndigenous affairs in each country affairs in each country
. are listed in Table B-1.
Terms
Definitions of Definitions of
indigenousIndigenous peoples vary. The United Nations (U.N.) has not adopted an official peoples vary. The United Nations (U.N.) has not adopted an official
definition, but instead relies on self-identification to categorize definition, but instead relies on self-identification to categorize
indigenousIndigenous populations around the populations around the
world; many countries do the same. However, the U.N. web page dedicated to world; many countries do the same. However, the U.N. web page dedicated to
indigenousIndigenous peoples peoples
does state “does state “
indigenousIndigenous peoples are inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of peoples are inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of
relating to people and the environment. They have retained social, cultural, economic and relating to people and the environment. They have retained social, cultural, economic and
political characteristics that are distinct from those of the dominant societies in which they live.”2 political characteristics that are distinct from those of the dominant societies in which they live.”2
The annex of the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples states “The annex of the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples states “
indigenousIndigenous peoples have suffered from historic injustices as a result of, peoples have suffered from historic injustices as a result of,
inter alia, their colonization and , their colonization and
dispossession of their lands, territories and resources.” dispossession of their lands, territories and resources.”
The Organization of American States’ (OAS) American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
The Organization of American States’ (OAS) American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples repeats the U.N. Declaration language and adds “Peoples repeats the U.N. Declaration language and adds “
indigenousIndigenous peoples are original, diverse peoples are original, diverse
societies with their own identities that constitute an integral part of the Americas.” According to societies with their own identities that constitute an integral part of the Americas.” According to
OAS estimates, more than 50 million people of OAS estimates, more than 50 million people of
indigenousIndigenous descent live in the Western descent live in the Western
hemisphere. This report examines those living in Latin hemisphere. This report examines those living in Latin
American and the CaribbeanAmerica. .
According to the
According to the
Manual for National Human Rights Institutions that accompanied the U.N. that accompanied the U.N.
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, “Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, “
indigenousIndigenous peoples have argued against the peoples have argued against the
adoption of a formal definition at the international level, stressing the need for flexibility and for adoption of a formal definition at the international level, stressing the need for flexibility and for
respecting the desire and the right of each respecting the desire and the right of each
indigenousIndigenous people to define themselves.… As a people to define themselves.… As a
consequence, no formal definition has been adopted in international law. A strict definition is seen as unnecessary and undesirable.”3
1 For example: U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace 1 For example: U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace
Corps, Narcotics and Terrorism, Corps, Narcotics and Terrorism,
Environmental Protection in an Era of Dramatic Economic Growth in Latin America, ,
106th Cong., 2nd sess., July 25, 2000 (Washington, DC: GPO, 2000); U.S. Congress, House Committee on Foreign 106th Cong., 2nd sess., July 25, 2000 (Washington, DC: GPO, 2000); U.S. Congress, House Committee on Foreign
Affairs, Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Affairs, Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere,
U.S.–Mexico Security Cooperation: An Overview of the Merida
Initiative 2008–Present, 113thEnergy Opportunities in South America, 115th Cong., 1st sess., May Cong., 1st sess., May
23, 201317, 2017 (Washington, DC: GPO, (Washington, DC: GPO,
20132017); U.S. Congress, Tom Lantos Commission on Human Rights, The Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the Americas, 116th Cong., 2nd sess., November 20, 2020 (Washington, DC: GPO, 2020); U.S. Congress, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Energy Opportunities in South America,
115th Cong., 1st sess., May 17, 2017 (Washington, DC: GPO, 2017). ).
2 U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs, “Indigenous Peoples at the UN,” at
2 U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs, “Indigenous Peoples at the UN,” at
https://www.un.org/development/desa/https://www.un.org/development/desa/
indigenouspeoples/about-us.html.
3 United Nations, The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: A Manual for National Human
Indigenouspeoples/about-us.html.
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consequence, no formal definition has been adopted in international law. A strict definition is seen as unnecessary and undesirable.”3
In counting distinct groups, this CRS report uses the term “In counting distinct groups, this CRS report uses the term “
indigenousIndigenous groups” rather than “tribe,” groups” rather than “tribe,”
“nation,” “ethnic minority,” or “sociolinguistic group.” “nation,” “ethnic minority,” or “sociolinguistic group.”
A 2019 United Nations report
A 2019 United Nations report
included sections titled “the need for disaggregated data” and “the persistent invisibility of indigenous peoplesnotes “the persistent invisibility of Indigenous peoples” and “the need for disaggregated data” to address data limitations regarding ” to address data limitations regarding
indigenous Indigenous people around the globe. However, the report notes progress in Latin America: “only two people around the globe. However, the report notes progress in Latin America: “only two
censuses included self-identification criteria in the 1990 round, but by the 2010 round such censuses included self-identification criteria in the 1990 round, but by the 2010 round such
criteria were present in 21 of them.”4criteria were present in 21 of them.”4
Despite some advancesDespite some advances
in data collection, the sources cited in this report , the sources cited in this report
contain data limitations, which are discussed icontain data limitations, which are discussed i
n Appendix A. The countries listed in each table or The countries listed in each table or
graph graph of this report may differ from others in this report based on the information available in the sources. may differ from others in this report based on the information available in the sources.
Population Data
Latin America is home to 29-45 million indigenous people according to several studies that provided estimates for around 2010.5 The World Bank stated in a report that “official data on indigenousThere are various sources and methodologies for estimating the population of Indigenous peoples in Latin America, including official sources based on national censuses and household surveys, and other kinds of estimates such as population projections or data from non-governmental sources. Latin America is home to an estimated 41 million to 53 million Indigenous people according to several resources published in the last seven years.5 A 2015 World Bank report acknowledges the gap that may exist between official and unofficial data: “official data on Indigenous people are not conclusive, as many technical and sociological difficulties persist in people are not conclusive, as many technical and sociological difficulties persist in
census data collection. Other sources based on estimates and unofficial data refer to 50 million census data collection. Other sources based on estimates and unofficial data refer to 50 million
indigenousIndigenous inhabitants in Latin America (about 10 percent of the total population). For this report, inhabitants in Latin America (about 10 percent of the total population). For this report,
however, we will refer to the official—albeit imperfect—numbers provided by the national however, we will refer to the official—albeit imperfect—numbers provided by the national
censuses [41.81 million].”censuses [41.81 million].”
6 Figure 1 illustrates the total number of indigenous people and their share of the total population according to three sources: a 2009 UNICEF report, a 2014 report from the
Census projections forecast Indigenous population increases in many countries in part due to populations that are younger on average than non-Indigenous populations and in part due to an increase in self-identification.7 When the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin Economic Commission for Latin
America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) published a report with the Development Fund for the 3 United Nations, The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: A Manual for National Human America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), and a 2015 World Bank Report. Census projections forecast indigenous population increases in many countries in part due to populations that are younger on average than non-indigenous populations and in part due to an increase in self-identification.7
Rights Institutions, HR/PUB/13/2, 2013, at Rights Institutions, HR/PUB/13/2, 2013, at
https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/IPeoples/UNDRIPManualForNHRIs.pdf. For more information about the https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/IPeoples/UNDRIPManualForNHRIs.pdf. For more information about the
United Nations, the International Labor Organization and the World Intellectual Property Organization, see CRS United Nations, the International Labor Organization and the World Intellectual Property Organization, see CRS
Report R43614, Membership in the United Nations and Its Specialized Agencies, by Luisa Blanchfield and Marjorie Report R43614, Membership in the United Nations and Its Specialized Agencies, by Luisa Blanchfield and Marjorie
Ann Browne. Ann Browne.
4 United Nations,
4 United Nations,
The state of the world´s indigenousIndigenous people: Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 4th volume, ST/ESA/371, 2019, at https://social.un.org/unpfii/sowip-vol4-web.pdf. , ST/ESA/371, 2019, at https://social.un.org/unpfii/sowip-vol4-web.pdf.
5 In this report, Latin America includes Mexico, the land mass of Central America (Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador,
5 In this report, Latin America includes Mexico, the land mass of Central America (Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador,
Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama), and the land mass of South America (Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama), and the land mass of South America (Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana,
Suriname, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay). The exception is French Guiana, Suriname, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay). The exception is French Guiana,
which is an overseas department of France and is not included in this report. which is an overseas department of France and is not included in this report.
6 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/World Bank,
6 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/World Bank,
Indigenous Latin America in the Twenty-First
Century: the First Decade, 2015, , 2015,
pp. 6, 9, at at http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2016/02/24863854/http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2016/02/24863854/
indigenousIndigenous-latin-america-twenty-first-century-first--latin-america-twenty-first-century-first-
decade, p. 24. Hereinafter: World Bank, 2015. decade, p. 24. Hereinafter: World Bank, 2015.
7 Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean,
7 Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean,
Guaranteeing indigenousIndigenous people’s rights in Latin
America: Progress in the past decade and remaining challenges, November 2014, p. 40, at , November 2014, p. 40, at
https://repositorio.cepal.org/bitstream/handle/11362/37051/4/S1420782_en.pdf. Hereinafter: ECLAC, 2014. https://repositorio.cepal.org/bitstream/handle/11362/37051/4/S1420782_en.pdf. Hereinafter: ECLAC, 2014.
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Indigenous Peoples in Latin America: Statistical Information
Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean (Spanish acronym FILAC) in 2020, the censuses reported over 53 million Indigenous people or 9.8% of the region’s total.8
Figure 1 illustrates the total number of Indigenous people and their share of the total population according to four sources: a 2014 ECLAC report (with population data from 2010), a 2015 World Bank Report (with population data from 2010), a 2020 ECLAC and FILAC report using census data from 2005-2018, and the World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab with data last updated in 2021 also using census data from 2005-2018.
Figure 1.8 
Indigenous Peoples in Latin America: Statistical Information
Figure 1. Total Indigenous Population and Percentage of General Population of Latin
America
SourceSources: Graphic created by CRS using Graphic created by CRS using
UNICEF and FUNPROEIB Andes’ (UNICEF) 2009 Atlas Sociolingüístico de
Pueblos Indígenas en América Latina; the World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab with webpage last updated in July 2021; ECLAC and FILAC’s 2020 Los pueblos indígenas de América Latina - Abya Yala y la Agenda 2030 para el Desarrollo Sostenible: tensiones y desafíos desde una perspectiva territorial; the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and World the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and World
Bank’s (WB) 2015 Bank’s (WB) 2015
Indigenous Latin America in the twenty-first century: the first decade; and and
the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean’s (ECLAC)ECLAC’s 2014 2014
Guaranteeing indigenousIndigenous people’s rights in Latin
America: Progress in the past decade and remaining challenges.
Note: The ECLAC report includes a table titled “Latin America (17 countries): population of indigenous peoples according to censuses and estimates, around 2010.” The World Bank report uses national censuses to provide demographic informationchallenges. Notes: The World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab webpage covered 14 Latin American countries. ECLAC and FILAC’s report used national censuses from 17 countries, The World Bank report used national censuses from 16 countries to estimate the population and notes “for countries without census data available for the end of the decade, the and notes “for countries without census data available for the end of the decade, the
indigenousIndigenous population was estimated by applying the percentage of the last census to the 2010 projection of the population was estimated by applying the percentage of the last census to the 2010 projection of the
national populationnational population. The ECLAC report included a table titled “Latin America (17 countries): population of Indigenous peoples according to censuses and estimates, around 2010.” The population percentage is based on the total population calculated in each source. .
Table 1 shows a breakdown by country of shows a breakdown by country of
indigenousIndigenous populations and their share of the overall populations and their share of the overall
population. CRS created the following tables from several sources; publication dates and population. CRS created the following tables from several sources; publication dates and
methodologies differed. The countries listed in each table may differ from methodologies differed. The countries listed in each table may differ from
othersother tables in this in this
report report, based on the information available in the sources.
8 Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean and the Development Fund for the Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean (Fondo para el Desarrollo de los Pueblos Indígenas de América Latina y el Caribe), Los pueblos indígenas de América Latina - Abya Yala y la Agenda 2030 para el Desarrollo Sostenible: tensiones y desafíos desde una perspectiva territorial, 2020, at https://www.filac.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Los-Pueblos-Indigenas-de-America-lLatina-y-la-Agenda-2030-para-el-Desarrollo-SostenibleAutosaved.pdf. Hereinafter ECLAC and FILAC, 2020. based on the information available in the sources.
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Table 1. Indigenous Populations and Percentages of General Population in Latin
America by Country
UNICEF 2009
ECLAC 2014
WB 2015 ECLAC &
LAC Equity
FILAC 2020:
Lab 2021:
ECLAC 2014:
WB 2015:
Indigenous
Indigenous
Country
Indigenous Population
Indigenous Population
Population (% of
(% of general pop.)a
(% of general pop.)b
general pop.)c
600,329
955,032
955,032
Argentina
(1.6%)
(2.4%)
(2.4%)
38,562
Belize
N/A
N/A
(16.6%)
5,358,107
6,216,026
4,115,226
Bolivia
(66.2%)
(62.2%)
(41%)
734,127
896,917
817,963
Brazil
(0.4%)
(0.5%)
(0.5%)
692,192
Indigenous
Population
Population
Population
Population
with 2005-
with 2005-
around 2010
with 2010
2018 data (%
2018 data (%
(% of general
estimate (% of
of general
of general
pop.)a
general pop.)b
pop.)c
pop.)d
955,032
955,032
955,032
926,003
Argentina
(2.4%)
(2.4%)
(2.4%)
(2.3%)
6,216,026
4,115,226
4,176,647
N/A
Bolivia
(62.2%)
(41%)
(41.5%)
896,917
817,963
896,917
821,629
Brazil
(0.5%)
(0.5%)
(0.5%)
(0.4%)
1,805,243
788,935
2,175,873
N/A
Chile
1,805,243
788,935
Chile
(4.6%)
(11%)
(11%)
(4.6%)
(4.6%)
1,392,623 (12.4%)
1,559,852
1,559,852
1,532,678
1,532,678
1,905,617
1,905,617
Colombia
(3.
(3.
34%) %)
(3.
(3.
3%)
(4.4%) 4%)
(
(
34.3%) .3%)
65,548104,143
104,143
104,143
104,143
104,143
101,870
Costa Rica
(
(
1.72.4%)
(2.4%) %)
(2.4%)
(2.4%)
(2.4%)
(2.4%)
830,4181,018,176
1,018,176
1,018,176
1,018,176
1,018,176
1,020,330
Ecuador
(
(
6.87%) %)
(7%)
(7%)
(7%)
(7%)
13,310 (7%)
14,408
14,408
14,865
14,865
13,310
13,730
El Salvador
(0.2%)
(0.2%)
(0.2%)
(0.2%)
(0.2%)
(0.2%)
4,487,026 (0.2%)
5,881,009
5,881,009
5,880,046
5,880,046
6,491,199
6,481,762
Guatemala
(
(
39.941%) %)
(41%)
(41%)
(
(
41%)
68,819
Guyana
N/A
N/A
(9.1%)
440,313
536,541
548,727
Honduras
(7.2%)
(7%)
(7.2%)
9,504,184
43.6%)
(43.6%)
536,541
548,727
646,244
601,823
Honduras
(7%)
(7.2%)
(7.8%)
(7.2%)
16,933,283 16,933,283
16,836,877
16,836,877
25,694,928
27,526,158
Mexico
(
(
9.415.1%) %)
(15
(15
.1%) %)
(
(
15%)
292,244 21.5%)
(23%)
518,104
518,104
349,333
349,333
321,753
187,840
Nicaragua
(
(
5.78.9%) %)
(
(
8.9%)
(6%)
285,2316%)
(6.3%)
(3.6%)
417,559
417,559
417,559
417,559
417,559
Panama
(10416,080
Panama
(12.3%)
(12.2%) %)
(12.3%)
(12.3%)
(12.2%)
(12.2%)
108,308112,848
112,848
112,848
112,848 117,150
N/A
Paraguay
(
(
21.8%) %)
(1.
(1.
87%) %)
(1.
(1.
7%)
3,919,314
8%)
7,021,271 7,021,271
7,596,039
7,596,039
Peru
(13.9%)
(24%)
(26%)
6,601
Suriname
N/A
N/A
(1.5%)
115,118
76,452
Uruguay
N/A
(3.5%)
(2.4%)
7,628,308
6,383,284
Peru
(24%)
(26%)
(26%)
(24.8%)
76,452
76,452
158,560
Uruguay
N/A
(2.4%)
(2.4%)
(4.8%)
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9 link to page 9 link to page 10 10
Indigenous Peoples in Latin America: Statistical Information
UNICEF 2009
ECLAC 2014
WB 2015 ECLAC &
LAC Equity
FILAC 2020:
Lab 2021:
ECLAC 2014:
WB 2015:
Indigenous
Indigenous
Country
Indigenous Population
Indigenous Population
Population (% of
(% of general pop.)a
(% of general pop.)b
general pop.)c
534,816
724,592
724,592
Venezuela
(2.3%)
(2.7%)
(2.8%)
29,373,208
44,791,456
41,813,039
TOTAL
(6.1%)
(8.3%)
(7.8%)
Source: Compiled by CRS using the fol owing sources: UNICEF and FUNPROEIB Andes’ (UNICEF) 2009 Atlas
Sociolingüístico de Pueblos Indígenas en América Latina; Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean’s (ECLAC) 2014 Guaranteeing indigenous
Indigenous
Population
Population
Population
Population
with 2005-
with 2005-
around 2010
with 2010
2018 data (%
2018 data (%
(% of general
estimate (% of
of general
of general
pop.)a
general pop.)b
pop.)c
pop.)d
724,592
724,592
724,592
724,592
Venezuela
(2.7%)
(2.8%)
(2.7%)
(2.7%)
44,791,456
41,813,039
53,363,900
47,269,278
TOTALe
(8.3%)
(7.8%)
(9.8%)
(9.2%)
Sources: Compiled by CRS using the fol owing sources: ECLAC’s 2014 Guaranteeing Indigenous people’s rights in Latin America: Progress in the past decade and
remaining challenges; ;
and the World Bank Group’s (WB) 2015 the World Bank Group’s (WB) 2015
Indigenous Latin America in the twenty-first century:
the first decade. Notes: a. UNICEF and FUNPROEIB Andes’ 2009 Atlas covered 25 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean and
the population figures vary by country from 1999 to 2008.
bthe first decade; ECLAC and FILAC’s 2020 Los pueblos indígenas de América Latina - Abya Yala y la Agenda 2030 para el Desarrollo Sostenible: tensiones y desafíos desde una perspectiva territorial; and the World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab with webpage last updated in July 2021. Notes: a. ECLAC’s 2014 report covered 17 countries in Latin America with population figures “according to censuses . ECLAC’s 2014 report covered 17 countries in Latin America with population figures “according to censuses
and estimates, around 2010.”
and estimates, around 2010.”
cb. The World Bank’s 2015 report covered 16 countries in Latin America and the . The World Bank’s 2015 report covered 16 countries in Latin America and the
estimated population figures population figures
vary by vary by
country from 2001 to 2012 with some projections for 2010.
Figure 2 illustrates the range of estimates regarding the indigenouscountry from 2001 to 2012 with some projections for 2010.
c. The World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab webpage provided data on 14 countries in Latin America with the latest
population figures reported by each country varying from 2005-2018.
d. ECLAC and FILAC’s 2020 report covered 17 countries in Latin American with “the population of self-
identified Indigenous population according to the most recent census,” which varies by country from 2005-2018.
e. The population percentage is based on the total population calculated in each source.
Figure 2 illustrates the range of estimates regarding the Indigenous population as a percentage of population as a percentage of
the general population in each country. Bolivia’s steep decrease in the the general population in each country. Bolivia’s steep decrease in the
indigenousIndigenous population population
reflects “reasons that probably have more to do with discrepancies in how the data were collected reflects “reasons that probably have more to do with discrepancies in how the data were collected
between the last two censuses than with a real trend to negative growth,” according to the World between the last two censuses than with a real trend to negative growth,” according to the World
Bank.Bank.
89 More generally, differences in data collection between censuses and across countries make More generally, differences in data collection between censuses and across countries make
it difficult to estimate population it difficult to estimate population
increaseschanges. .
89 World Bank, 2015, p. 10. World Bank, 2015, p. 10.
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Indigenous Peoples in Latin America: Statistical Information
Figure 2. Indigenous Population in Latin America as Percentage of General
Population by Country
SourceSources: Graphic created by CRS using Graphic created by CRS using
UNICEF and FUNPROEIB Andes’ (UNICEF) 2009 Atlas Sociolingüístico de
Pueblos Indígenas en América Latina; the World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab with webpage last updated in July 2021, ECLAC and FILAC’s 2020 Los pueblos indígenas de América Latina - Abya Yala y la Agenda 2030 para el Desarrollo Sostenible: tensiones y desafíos desde una perspectiva territorial; the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and World the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and World
Bank’s (WB) 2015 Bank’s (WB) 2015
Indigenous Latin America in the twenty-first century: the first decade; and and
the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean’s (ECLAC)ECLAC’s 2014 2014
Guaranteeing indigenousIndigenous people’s rights in Latin
America: Progress in the past decade and remaining challenges. Note: The sources note that figures are based on national censuses. For more details see The sources note that figures are based on national censuses. For more details see
Appendix A.
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Indigenous Groups and Languages
Following the International Year of Indigenous Languages in 2019Following the International Year of Indigenous Languages in 2019
, the United Nations declared the United Nations declared
2022-2032 the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.2022-2032 the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.
910 Experts found that 4 in 10 Experts found that 4 in 10
indigenousIndigenous languages languages
around the world are in danger of disappearing yet figures on are in danger of disappearing yet figures on
indigenous Indigenous groups and groups and
languages vary among sources.languages vary among sources.
1011
Data on indigenousIndigenous ethnic groups
“As for the number and distribution of ethnic groups, the issue is even more problematic and the regional
“As for the number and distribution of ethnic groups, the issue is even more problematic and the regional
censuses might not be the best source, because ethnic frontiers rarely match national borders and no country censuses might not be the best source, because ethnic frontiers rarely match national borders and no country
keeps track of cross-border populations. Also, different ethnic groups sometimes receive… names given to keeps track of cross-border populations. Also, different ethnic groups sometimes receive… names given to
several unconnected peoples…. On the other hand, a single group or linguistic family might receive different several unconnected peoples…. On the other hand, a single group or linguistic family might receive different
names in different countriesnames in different countries
—such as the several groups of Maya peoples inhabiting a large area of southern Mexico and Central America....” .”
-- World Bank’s -- World Bank’s
Indigenous Latin America in the twenty-first century: the first decade1112
Figure 3 shows the total number of shows the total number of
indigenousIndigenous groups in Latin America as identified by three groups in Latin America as identified by three
sources. A 2009 UNICEF report identified a total of 655 sources. A 2009 UNICEF report identified a total of 655
indigenousIndigenous groups in groups in
20 countries in Latin America.Latin America.
12 13 The 2014 ECLAC report cites 826 The 2014 ECLAC report cites 826
indigenousIndigenous groups in Latin America although it does not groups in Latin America although it does not
provide a country breakdown.provide a country breakdown.
1314 Of these 826, about 200 Of these 826, about 200
indigenousIndigenous groups live in voluntary groups live in voluntary
isolation, which is defined by isolation, which is defined by
anthe Inter-American Commission on Human Rights Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
report as groups as groups
that “do not maintain sustained contacts with the majority non-that “do not maintain sustained contacts with the majority non-
indigenousIndigenous population.” population.”
14 15 The The
World Bank’s 2015 report identifies World Bank’s 2015 report identifies
772 indigenous774 Indigenous groups in groups in
Latin America.1520 countries Latin America.16 The report adds “the total number of Indigenous peoples is not conclusive or fixed; rather, it needs to be understood as a variable figure that is continually changing as a result of new forms of indigenization, ethno-genesis, and legal recognition.”17
910 United Nations, “General Assembly Adopts 60 Third Committee Resolutions, Proclaims International Decade of United Nations, “General Assembly Adopts 60 Third Committee Resolutions, Proclaims International Decade of
Indigenous Languages, Covering Broad Themes of Social Equality,” press release GA/12231, December 18, 2019, at Indigenous Languages, Covering Broad Themes of Social Equality,” press release GA/12231, December 18, 2019, at
https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/ga12231.doc.htm https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/ga12231.doc.htm
1011 United Nations News, “Four in 10 United Nations News, “Four in 10
indigenousIndigenous languages at risk of disappearing, warn UN human rights experts,” languages at risk of disappearing, warn UN human rights experts,”
August 7, 2019, at https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/08/1043871 August 7, 2019, at https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/08/1043871
1112 IBRD and World Bank, 2015, p. 24. IBRD and World Bank, 2015, p. 24.
1213 UNICEF and FUNPROEIB Andes, UNICEF and FUNPROEIB Andes,
Atlas Sociolingüístico de Pueblos Indígenas en América Latina Vol. I, 2009, p. , 2009, p.
68, at https://www.unicef.org/honduras/tomo_1_atlas.pdf. Hereinafter, UNICEF, 2009. This figures excludes 10 68, at https://www.unicef.org/honduras/tomo_1_atlas.pdf. Hereinafter, UNICEF, 2009. This figures excludes 10
indigenousIndigenous groups from Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, French Guiana, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago, which groups from Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, French Guiana, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago, which
are not otherwise included in the report. are not otherwise included in the report.
1314 ECLAC, 2014, pp. 38-39. ECLAC, 2014, pp. 38-39.
1415 Rapporteurship on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Rapporteurship on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,
Indigenous peoples in voluntary isolation and initial contact in
the Americas: Recommendations for the full respect of their human rights, Inter-American Commission on Human , Inter-American Commission on Human
Rights, OEA/Ser.L/V/II. Doc.47/13, 2013, p. 4, at http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/Rights, OEA/Ser.L/V/II. Doc.47/13, 2013, p. 4, at http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/
indigenousIndigenous/docs/pdf/report-/docs/pdf/report-
indigenousIndigenous--
peoples-voluntary-isolation.pdf. peoples-voluntary-isolation.pdf.
1516 IBRD and World Bank, 2015, p. 26. This figure excludes six IBRD and World Bank, 2015, p. 26. This figure excludes six
indigenousIndigenous groups from French Guiana groups from French Guiana
. 17 Ibid., p. 24. .
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Indigenous Peoples in Latin America: Statistical Information
Figure 3. Total Number of Indigenous Groups in Latin America
SourceSources: Graphic created by CRS using UNICEF and FUNPROEIB Andes’ (UNICEF) 2009 Graphic created by CRS using UNICEF and FUNPROEIB Andes’ (UNICEF) 2009
Atlas Sociolingüístico de
Pueblos Indígenas en América Latina; the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and World ; the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and World
Bank’s (WB) 2015 Bank’s (WB) 2015
Indigenous Latin America in the twenty-first century: the first decade; and and
the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean’s (ECLAC)ECLAC’s 2014 2014
Guaranteeing indigenousIndigenous people’s rights in Latin
America: Progress in the past decade and remaining challenges. Note: These figures exclude French Guiana and Caribbean island nations. These figures exclude French Guiana and Caribbean island nations.
According to several sources,
According to several sources,
indigenousIndigenous languages number fewer than the number of languages number fewer than the number of
indigenousIndigenous groups across the region as some languages are spoken by more than one group and some groups groups across the region as some languages are spoken by more than one group and some groups
have lost their indigenousno longer speak an Indigenous language (se language (se
e Figure 4). .
The 2015 World BankA 2009 UNICEF report found report found
558 indigenous551 Indigenous languages languages
spoken across 20 countries of Latin Americaacross 20 countries of Latin America
,16 while a 2009 UNICEF report found 551 languages across the same 20 countries.17 Of these 551, the latter report found that 111 languages are vulnerable to extinction although five (Quechua, Nahuatl, Aymara, Yucatan Maya, and Ki’che’) had over a million speakers each. In 2019, the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL International) reported 880 indigenous languages are spoken across the same 20 Latin American countries.18
Figure 4. Total Number of Indigenous Languages in Latin America
Source while a 2015 World Bank report found 558 and a 2021 publication by the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL International) reported 881 Indigenous languages spoken across the same 20 Latin American countries.18 Speakers of Nahuatl, K’iche,’ and Aymara number over a million each and over 5 million people speak Quechua and Guarani.19 However, 13 Latin American countries have 50% or more of their Indigenous languages categorized as endangered.20
Figure 4. Number of Indigenous Languages in Latin America
Sources: Graphic created by CRS using UNICEF and FUNPROEIB Andes’ (UNICEF) 2009 Graphic created by CRS using UNICEF and FUNPROEIB Andes’ (UNICEF) 2009
Atlas Sociolingüístico de de
Pueblos Indígenas en América Latina; the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and World ; the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and World
Bank’s (WB) 2015 Bank’s (WB) 2015
Indigenous Latin America in the twenty-first century: the first decade; and SIL International’s and SIL International’s
20202021 Ethnologue: Languages of the World (Twenty-thirdfourth ed.). Note: Numbers indicate the number of living Numbers indicate the number of living
indigenousIndigenous languages. Not included are countries, primarily in the languages. Not included are countries, primarily in the
Caribbean, whose only Caribbean, whose only
indigenousIndigenous languages are sign languages and Creole languages based on European and languages are sign languages and Creole languages based on European and
African languages. African languages.
Table 2 shows a breakdown of Latin America’s indigenous groups and languages by country according to two sources. CRS created the table from several sources; publication dates and methodologies differed. The countries listed in each table may differ from others in this report based on the information available in the sources.
16 Ibid. This figure excludes six languages in French Guiana. 17 UNICEF, 2009, p. 81. This figure includes six languages in French Guiana. 18 Gary F. Simons (editor), Ethnologue: Languages of the World. Twenty-third edition, SIL International, 2020, at https://www.ethnologue.com/.
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18 UNICEF, 2009, p. 81. This figure includes six languages in French Guiana. IBRD and World Bank, 2015, p. 26. This figure excludes six languages from French Guiana. Gary F. Simons (editor), Ethnologue: Languages of the World. Twenty- edition, SIL International, 2021, at https://www.ethnologue.com/.
19 David M. Eberhard, Gary F. Simons, and Charles D. Fennig (editors), Ethnologue: Languages of the World, twenty-fourth edition, SIL International, 2021, at https://www.ethnologue.com/.
20 Ethnologue, “How many languages are endangered?” accessed July 7, 2021, at https://www.ethnologue.com/guides/how-many-languages-endangered.
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Table 2 shows a breakdown of Latin America’s Indigenous groups and languages by country according to three sources; the sources each have different
publication dates and methodologies. The countries listed in each table may differ from others in this report based on the information available in the sources.
Table 214 link to page 14 Indigenous Peoples in Latin America: Statistical Information
Table 2. Indigenous Groups and Languages of Latin America by Country
UNICEF 2009
Indigenous Groups
WB 2015 Indigenous
SIL International 2021
Country
(languages)a
Groups (languages)b
(languages only)
30 30
30
30
--
Argentina
(15)
(15)
(15)
(15)
(15)
4 4
4
4
--
Belize
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(5)
36 36
114
114
--
Bolivia
(33)
(33)
(33)
(33)
(39)
241 241
241
241
--
Brazil
(186)
(186)
(186)
(186)
(201)
9 9
9
9
--
Chile
(6)
(6)
(6)
(6)
(8)
83 83
83
83
--
Colombia
(65)
(65)
(65
(65
)
(81) )
8
8
8
8
--
Costa Rica
(7)
(7)
(7)
(7)
(6)
12 12
32
32
--
Ecuador
(12)
(12)
(13)
(13)
(21)
3 3
3
3
--
El Salvador
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(2)
24 24
24
24
--
Guatemala
(24)
(24)
(24)
(24)
(25)
9 9
9
9
--
Guyana
(9)
(9)
(9)
(9)
(11)
7 7
7
7
--
Honduras
(6)
(6)
(6)
(6)
(8)
67 67
67
67
--
Mexico
(64)
(64)
(67)
(67)
(282)
9 9
9
9
--
Nicaragua
(6)
(6)
(6)
(6)
(9)
8 8
7
7
--
Panama
(8)
(8)
(7)
(7)
20
20
Paraguay
(20)
(20)
43
52(8)
20
20
--
Paraguay
(20)
(20)
(19
Peru
(43)
(47)
5
5
Suriname
(5)
(5)
0
0
Uruguay
(0)
(0) )
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28 link to page 1527 Indigenous Peoples in Latin America: Statistical Information
UNICEF 2009
Indigenous Groups
WB 2015 Indigenous
SIL International 2021
Country
(languages)a
Groups (languages)b
(languages only)
43
52
--
Peru
(43)
(47)
(91)
5
5
--
Suriname
(5)
(5)
(12)
0
0
--
Uruguay
(0)
(0)
(1)
37
50
--
37
50
Venezuela
(37)
(37)
(37)
(37)
(37)
655
774
--
TOTAL
(551)
(558)
Source(881)
Sources: Graphic created by CRS using UNICEF and FUNPROEIB Andes’ (UNICEF) 2009 Graphic created by CRS using UNICEF and FUNPROEIB Andes’ (UNICEF) 2009
Atlas Sociolingüístico de
Pueblos Indígenas en América Latina; ;
and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and World the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and World
Bank’s (WB) 2015 Bank’s (WB) 2015
Indigenous Latin America in the twenty-first century: the first decade; and SIL International’s 2021 Ethnologue: Languages of the World (Twenty-fourth ed.). Notes: This report uses “peoples” rather than “tribe,” “nation,” “ethnic minority,” or “sociolinguistic group.” This report uses “peoples” rather than “tribe,” “nation,” “ethnic minority,” or “sociolinguistic group.”
a. While UNICEF and FUNPROEIB Andes’ 2009 Atlas covered 25 countries in Latin America and the a. While UNICEF and FUNPROEIB Andes’ 2009 Atlas covered 25 countries in Latin America and the
Caribbean, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, French Guiana, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago are not
Caribbean, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, French Guiana, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago are not
otherwise included. otherwise included.
b. While the World Bank’s 2015 report covered 16 countries in Latin America, French Guiana is not included
b. While the World Bank’s 2015 report covered 16 countries in Latin America, French Guiana is not included
in this report.
in this report.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau,
According to the U.S. Census Bureau,
approximately 15,000-19,000 indigenousalmost 20,000 Indigenous language language
speakers from Latin America reside in the United States.speakers from Latin America reside in the United States.
1921
Indigenous languages also relate to issues such as biodiversity. A 2020 study states that “most of
Indigenous languages also relate to issues such as biodiversity. A 2020 study states that “most of
the places with the highest concentration of biological diversity coincide with spaces inhabited by the places with the highest concentration of biological diversity coincide with spaces inhabited by
indigenousIndigenous peoples whose members continue to speak the language of their ancestors” and peoples whose members continue to speak the language of their ancestors” and
highlights Mexico and Brazil.highlights Mexico and Brazil.
2022 A 2012 study explored “the co-occurrence of linguistic and A 2012 study explored “the co-occurrence of linguistic and
biological diversity in regions containing many of the Earth’s remaining species…Results biological diversity in regions containing many of the Earth’s remaining species…Results
indicate that these regions often contain considerable linguistic diversity, accounting for 70% of indicate that these regions often contain considerable linguistic diversity, accounting for 70% of
all languages on Earth.”all languages on Earth.”
2123 The study specifically notes Mesoamerica as a biodiverse hotspot with The study specifically notes Mesoamerica as a biodiverse hotspot with
more than 250 more than 250
indigenousIndigenous languages. Additional resources about languages. Additional resources about
indigenousIndigenous groups and languages can be found in Table A-1.
21 Languages counted by the U.S. Census Bureau are categorized as Aztecan, Sonoran, Misumalpan, Mayan languages, Tarascan, Mapuche, Oto-Manguen, Quechua, Aymara, Arawakian, Chibchan, and Tupi-guarani. See the groups and languages can be found in Table A-1.
Socioeconomic Data
In a 2015 publication, the World Bank found that 43% of indigenous people in Latin America are poor (living on less than $5.50 a day in 2011 purchasing power parity prices or PPP), and 24% are extremely poor (living on less than $1.90 a day in 2011 PPP prices), more than twice the rates for non-indigenous people. The report also documented education gaps were across the region.22 Drawing from another World Bank resource, Figure 5 compares rates of indigenous peoples
19 Language is a proxy for Latin American indigenous presence in the United States. See the U.S. Census Bureau, 2006-2008 American Community Survey, “Detailed Language Spoken at Home and Ability to Speak English for the Population 5 Years and Older by States: 2006-2008,” April 2010, at https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2008/demo/2006-2008-lang-tables.html; see also U.S. Census Bureau, 2009-2013 U.S. Census Bureau, 2009-2013
American Community Survey, “Detailed Language Spoken at Home and Ability to Speak English for the Population 5 American Community Survey, “Detailed Language Spoken at Home and Ability to Speak English for the Population 5
Years and Over: 2009-2013,” October 2015, Years and Over: 2009-2013,” October 2015,
last revised October 6, 2020 at at https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2013/demo/2009-2013-lang-https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2013/demo/2009-2013-lang-
tables.html. tables.html.
2022 Claudia Gafner-Rojas, “Indigenous languages as contributors to the preservation of biodiversity and their presence in Claudia Gafner-Rojas, “Indigenous languages as contributors to the preservation of biodiversity and their presence in
international environmental law,” international environmental law,”
Journal of International Wildlife Law & Policy, (June 12, 2020). , (June 12, 2020).
2123 L. J. Gorenflo, Suzanne Romaine, Russell A. Mittermeier, Kristen Walker-Painemilla, “Co-occurring linguistic and L. J. Gorenflo, Suzanne Romaine, Russell A. Mittermeier, Kristen Walker-Painemilla, “Co-occurring linguistic and
biological diversity,” proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol. 109, no. 2 (May 2012), pp. 8032-8037. biological diversity,” proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol. 109, no. 2 (May 2012), pp. 8032-8037.
22 IBRD and World Bank, 2015, pp. 12, 127, 9, 34-37.
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Socioeconomic Data In a 2020 publication, the International Labor Organization (ILO) found that 45.5% of Indigenous people in Latin America are poor (living on less than $5.50 a day in 2011 purchasing power parity prices or PPP), and 7.1% are extremely poor (living on less than $1.90 a day in 2011 PPP prices), more than twice the rates for non-Indigenous people.24
Using the World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab, Figure 5 compares rates of Indigenous peoples living on less than $5.50 a day to the general population in select countries of Central to the general population in select countries of Central
and South America. and South America.
Figure 5. Rates of Indigenous People Living on Less than $5.50 a Day in Select Latin
American Countries
Source: Graphic created by CRS using data from the World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab web page “Ethnicity – Graphic created by CRS using data from the World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab web page “Ethnicity –
Poverty.” Poverty.”
Note: The World Bank notes that ethnic identity is based on self-reported data. The numbers presented are The World Bank notes that ethnic identity is based on self-reported data. The numbers presented are
based on a regional data harmonization effort comprised of the World Bank and the Center for Distributive, based on a regional data harmonization effort comprised of the World Bank and the Center for Distributive,
Labor and Social Studies, which may differ from official statistics. Monetary values are reported in USD 2011 Labor and Social Studies, which may differ from official statistics. Monetary values are reported in USD 2011
purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Last updated purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Last updated
October 2018May 2021.
Access to Services A 2020 ILO report describes that “an important transformation is underway whereby many Indigenous peoples have migrated from their traditional territories to urban areas” due to factors such as “changing aspirations, employment opportunities in agriculture becoming scarce, poor income generation opportunities, a lack of adequate infrastructure, as well as an increasing resource scarcity related to climate change.”25 The report finds that 52.2% of Latin America’s Indigenous peoples are urban dwellers.26
24 International Labor Organization, Implementing the ILO Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention No. 169 Towards an Inclusive, Sustainable and Just Future, February 3, 2020, at https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---dcomm/---publ/documents//wcms_735607.pdf, p.96. Hereinafter, ILO, 2020.
25 ILO, 2020, p. 74. 26 Ibid., p. 57.
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.
The World Bank provides statistics on The World Bank provides statistics on
Indigenous peoples’ access to various servicesaccess to various services
and opportunities for indigenous peoples in select countries of Central and South America, last updated in in select countries of Central and South America, last updated in
October 2018July 2021. The . The
following graphs compare following graphs compare
indigenousIndigenous rates of access to rates of access to
these amenities compared with the the general population general population
rates by countryby country
(Figure 6, electricity;lectricity;
Figure 7, internetinternet;;
Figure 8, home e
ownership;ownership;
Figure 9, sewage;ewage;
and and Figure 10, water). Figure 10, water).
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Figure 6. Electricity Access Rates in Select Latin American Countries (2018)
Source: Graphic created by CRS using data from the World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab web page "Ethnicity - Graphic created by CRS using data from the World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab web page "Ethnicity -
Access to Services." Access to Services."
Note: The World Bank notes that ethnic identity is based on self-reported data. The numbers presented are The World Bank notes that ethnic identity is based on self-reported data. The numbers presented are
based on a variety of sources, which may differ from official statistics reported by governments and national based on a variety of sources, which may differ from official statistics reported by governments and national
statistical offices. Last updated statistical offices. Last updated
October 2018July 2021. .
Figure 7. Internet Access Rates in Select Latin American Countries (2018)
Source: Graphic created by CRS using data from the World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab web page "Ethnicity - Graphic created by CRS using data from the World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab web page "Ethnicity -
Access to Services." Access to Services."
Note: The World Bank notes that ethnic identity is based on self-reported data. The numbers presented are The World Bank notes that ethnic identity is based on self-reported data. The numbers presented are
based on a variety of sources, which may differ from official statistics reported by governments and national based on a variety of sources, which may differ from official statistics reported by governments and national
statistical offices. Last updated statistical offices. Last updated
October 2018July 2021. .
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Figure 8. Ownership of Dwelling Rates in Select Latin American Countries (2018)
Source: Graphic created by CRS using data from the World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab web page "Ethnicity - Graphic created by CRS using data from the World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab web page "Ethnicity -
Access to Services." Access to Services."
Note: The World Bank notes that ethnic identity is based on self-reported data. The numbers presented are The World Bank notes that ethnic identity is based on self-reported data. The numbers presented are
based on a variety of sources, which may differ from official statistics reported by governments and national based on a variety of sources, which may differ from official statistics reported by governments and national
statistical offices. Last updated statistical offices. Last updated
October 2018July 2021. .
Figure 9. Sewage Access Rates in Select Latin American Countries (2018)
Source: Graphic created by CRS using data from the World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab web page "Ethnicity - Graphic created by CRS using data from the World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab web page "Ethnicity -
Access to Services." Access to Services."
Note: The World Bank notes that ethnic identity is based on self-reported data. The numbers presented are The World Bank notes that ethnic identity is based on self-reported data. The numbers presented are
based on a variety of sources, which may differ from official statistics reported by governments and national based on a variety of sources, which may differ from official statistics reported by governments and national
statistical offices. Last updated statistical offices. Last updated
October 2018July 2021. .
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Figure 10. Water Access Rates in Select Latin American Countries (2018)
Source: Graphic created by CRS using data from the World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab web page "Ethnicity - Graphic created by CRS using data from the World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab web page "Ethnicity -
Access to Services." Access to Services."
Note: The World Bank notes that ethnic identity is based on self-reported data. The numbers presented here The World Bank notes that ethnic identity is based on self-reported data. The numbers presented here
are based on a variety of sources, which may differ from official statistics reported by governments and national are based on a variety of sources, which may differ from official statistics reported by governments and national
statistical offices. Last updated statistical offices. Last updated
October 2018July 2021.
Access to Education and Work A 2020 ILO report found that Latin America and the Caribbean has the largest wage gap between Indigenous earnings and non-Indigenous earnings at 31.2%.27 Similarly, the region has the largest informal labor gap of any region in the world, a sector that employs 82.6% of Indigenous peoples and 51.1% of non-Indigenous peoples.28 Among the employed Indigenous population, 31.7% have no education, 39.3% have a basic education, 18.7% have an intermediate education, and 10.3% have an advanced education.29
.
The World Bank The World Bank
also provides labor and education statistics for provides labor and education statistics for
indigenousIndigenous peoples in select peoples in select
countries of Central and South America, last updated in countries of Central and South America, last updated in
October 2018July 2021. The following graphs . The following graphs
compare compare
indigenous rates compared Indigenous rates with general population with general population
rates by countryby country
(Figure 11, literacy; iteracy;
Figure 12, school school attendance;attendance;
Figure 13, unemploymentunemployment;;
and Figure 14, low low-skill and high-skill -skill and high-skill
employment)employment).
27 Ibid., p.18. 28 Ibid., p.16. 29 Ibid., p. 81. .
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Figure 11. Literacy Rates ages 18-65 in Select Latin American Countries (20182021)
Source: Graphic created by CRS using data from the World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab web page "Ethnicity - Socio-Graphic created by CRS using data from the World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab web page "Ethnicity - Socio-
demographics." demographics."
Note: The World Bank notes that ethnic identity is based on self-reported data. The numbers presented here The World Bank notes that ethnic identity is based on self-reported data. The numbers presented here
are based on a variety of sources, which may differ from official statistics reported by governments and national are based on a variety of sources, which may differ from official statistics reported by governments and national
statistical offices. Last updated statistical offices. Last updated
October 2018July 2021. .
Figure 12. School Attendance Rates ages 6-25 in Select Latin American Countries (2018
(2021)
Source: Graphic created by CRS using data from the World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab web page "Ethnicity - Socio-Graphic created by CRS using data from the World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab web page "Ethnicity - Socio-
demographics." demographics."
Note: The World Bank notes that ethnic identity is based on self-reported data. The numbers presented here The World Bank notes that ethnic identity is based on self-reported data. The numbers presented here
are based on a variety of sources, which may differ from official statistics reported by governments and national are based on a variety of sources, which may differ from official statistics reported by governments and national
statistical offices. Last updated statistical offices. Last updated
October 2018July 2021. .
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Figure 13. Unemployment Rates ages 18-65 in Select Latin American Countries (2018
(2021)
Source: Graphic created by CRS using data from the World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab web page "Ethnicity - Socio-Graphic created by CRS using data from the World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab web page "Ethnicity - Socio-
demographics." demographics."
Note: The World Bank notes that ethnic identity is based on self-reported data. The numbers presented here The World Bank notes that ethnic identity is based on self-reported data. The numbers presented here
are based on a variety of sources, which may differ from official statistics reported by governments and national are based on a variety of sources, which may differ from official statistics reported by governments and national
statistical offices. Last updated statistical offices. Last updated
October 2018July 2021. .
Figure 14. High-Skill & Low-Skill Occupation Rates ages 18-65 in Select Latin
American Countries
(2018) (2021)
Source: Graphic created by CRS using data from the World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab web page "Ethnicity - Socio-Graphic created by CRS using data from the World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab web page "Ethnicity - Socio-
demographics." demographics."
Note: The World Bank notes that ethnic identity is based on self-reported data. The numbers presented here The World Bank notes that ethnic identity is based on self-reported data. The numbers presented here
are based on a variety of sources, which may differ from official statistics reported by governments and national are based on a variety of sources, which may differ from official statistics reported by governments and national
statistical offices. Last updated statistical offices. Last updated
October 2018July 2021. .
The socioeconomic challenges faced by
The socioeconomic challenges faced by
indigenousIndigenous peoples also impact their health. In light of peoples also impact their health. In light of
Coronavirus Diesease 2019 (COVID-19)COVID-19, the United Nations highlights that “, the United Nations highlights that “
indigenousIndigenous peoples
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peoples face limited access to quality face limited access to quality
and culturally accessible health services, which already affect their and culturally accessible health services, which already affect their
health outcomes, such as high maternal mortality rates and lower life expectancy.”30 A joint report from the United Nations and the Pan-American Health Organization also highlights that the “deficiencies in access to services and in living conditions, which prevent an optimal response to the pandemic, intersect with and reinforce the various axes of the social inequality matrix, placing at a particular disadvantage the Indigenous population.”31 A 2021 publication lists statistics from six Latin American countries that reported 137,315 Indigenous people infected with COVID-19 and 5,482 deaths caused by COVID-19.32health outcomes, such as high
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maternal mortality rates and lower life expectancy” and that “the pandemic is compounding the precarious situation.”23 Widespread disease is not new to Latin American indigenous peoples: “While figures for Latin America are unclear, mortality from influenza and H1N1 was between four and seven times higher in indigenous populations…Latin America’s indigenous population was reduced by 95 percent over 300 years through diseases spread by colonizers.”24
In the appendi
In the appendi
x, Table A-2 lists resources relating to the socioeconomic standing of lists resources relating to the socioeconomic standing of
indigenousIndigenous peoples in Latin America. peoples in Latin America.
Land and Natural Resources
A 2017 World Resources Institute (WRI) A 2017 World Resources Institute (WRI)
report statesarticle stated “the precise amount of communal land is “the precise amount of communal land is
not known, but many experts argue that at least half of the world’s land is held by Indigenous not known, but many experts argue that at least half of the world’s land is held by Indigenous
Peoples and other communities. Some estimates are as high as 65 percent or more of the global Peoples and other communities. Some estimates are as high as 65 percent or more of the global
land area.” land area.”
The WRI goes on to specifyLegally recognized land ownership is far less: the WRI article specified that “globally, Indigenous Peoples and local communities that “globally, Indigenous Peoples and local communities
have formal legal ownership of 10 percent of the land, and have some degree of government-have formal legal ownership of 10 percent of the land, and have some degree of government-
recognized management rights over an additional 8 recognized management rights over an additional 8
percent.”33 An evaluation of nine Latin American countries by the Resources and Rights Initiative found that the forest area owned by Indigenous peoples and local communities increased between 2002 (171 million hectares or 21% of the total forested area) and 2017 (236 million hectares or 29.9% percent of the total forested area).34
The United Nations’ Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean’s (ECLAC) 2014 reportpercent.”25
The United Nations’ Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean’s (ECLAC) 2014 report Guaranteeing indigenous people’s rights in Latin America: Progress in the past
decade and remaining challenges states that “over the past decade, booming international demand states that “over the past decade, booming international demand
for primary goods (minerals, hydrocarbons, soybeans and other agricultural commodities) has for primary goods (minerals, hydrocarbons, soybeans and other agricultural commodities) has
boosted economic growth in the countries of Latin America but has had its cost in the form of a boosted economic growth in the countries of Latin America but has had its cost in the form of a
growing number of environmental, social and ethnic conflicts involving extractive industries growing number of environmental, social and ethnic conflicts involving extractive industries
located in or near located in or near
indigenousIndigenous territories.” territories.”
26
According a 2012 Forest Peoples Programme global report, “[A]n estimated 350 million people live inside or close to dense forests, largely dependent on these areas for subsistence and income, while an estimated range of 60 million to 200 million indigenous people are almost wholly dependent on forests.”27 For the region of Mexico, Central and South America, the report estimates 42-48 million indigenous peoples and 21-26 million forest peoples.28 Some but not all indigenous peoples are also forest peoples. Some countries did not have population figures for forest people. A 2018 Science article classifies drivers of global tree cover loss using satellite imagery. In Latin America, deforestation accounts for over half of the tree cover loss, shifting agriculture about a third, and, to a smaller degree, forestry, wildfire, and urbanization.2935
In its 2015 report, the IACHR wrote that “through the implementation of its monitoring mechanisms, the Commission has consistently received information evidencing the human, social, health, cultural and environmental impacts of [extraction, exploitation, and development
2330 UN Inter-Agency Support Group on Indigenous Issues, “Indigenous Peoples and COVID-19 A Guidance Note for UN Inter-Agency Support Group on Indigenous Issues, “Indigenous Peoples and COVID-19 A Guidance Note for
the UN System prepared by the UN Inter- Agency Support Group on Indigenous Issues,” April 23, 2020, at the UN System prepared by the UN Inter- Agency Support Group on Indigenous Issues,” April 23, 2020, at
https://www.un.org/development/desa/https://www.un.org/development/desa/
indigenouspeoplesIndigenouspeoples/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2020/04/Indigenous-peoples-/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2020/04/Indigenous-peoples-
and-COVID_IASG_23.04.2020-EN.pdf and-COVID_IASG_23.04.2020-EN.pdf
24 Martín de Dios, “The situation of Latin America’s indigenous population and the impact of COVID-19,” United Nations Development Programme in Latin America and the Caribbean blog, May 14, 2020, at https://www.latinamerica.undp.org/content/rblac/en/home/blog/2020/impacto-y-situacion-de-la-poblacion-indigena-latinoamericana-ant.html
2531 United Nations’ Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean and the Pan American Health Organization, Social Panorama of Latin America 2020, 2021, p. 18.
32 Fund for the Development of the Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean and, the Indigenous Forum Abya Yala, Pueblos Indígenas y vacunación contra COVID-19: cuarto informe regional, May 2021, at https://www.filac.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/informe-acceso-a-vacunasTP.pdf.
33 Peter Veit and Katie Reytar, “By the Numbers: Indigenous and Community Land Rights,” World Resources Institute, Peter Veit and Katie Reytar, “By the Numbers: Indigenous and Community Land Rights,” World Resources Institute,
March 20, 2017, at https://www.wri.org/blog/2017/03/numbers-March 20, 2017, at https://www.wri.org/blog/2017/03/numbers-
indigenousIndigenous-and-community-land-rights. -and-community-land-rights.
26 ECLAC, 2014, p. 50. 27 Sophie Chao, Forest Peoples: Numbers across the world, Forest Peoples Programme, p. 7, at http://www.forestpeoples.org/sites/fpp/files/publication/2012/05/forest-peoples-numbers-across-world-final_0.pdf.
28 Ibid., pp. 9-10. 29 Philip G. Curtis, Christy M. Slay, Nancy L. Harris, Alexandra Tyukavina, Matthew C. Hansen, "Classifying drivers
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35 ECLAC, 2014, p. 50.
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In the 2015 report Indigenous Peoples, Communities of African Descent, Extractive Industries, the IACHR wrote that “through the implementation of its monitoring mechanisms, the Commission has consistently received information evidencing the human, social, health, cultural and environmental impacts of [extraction, exploitation, and development activities concerning activities concerning
natural resources] on natural resources] on
indigenousIndigenous peoples and Afrodescendent communities. Many extractive and peoples and Afrodescendent communities. Many extractive and
development activities in the hemisphere are implemented in lands and territories historically development activities in the hemisphere are implemented in lands and territories historically
occupied by occupied by
indigenousIndigenous and Afro-descendent communities, which often coincide with areas and Afro-descendent communities, which often coincide with areas
hosting a great wealth of natural resources.”hosting a great wealth of natural resources.”
3036 For example, a 2020 report found that “industrial mining concessions and illegal small-scale mining occur on more than 20 percent of Indigenous lands in the Amazon.”37
Climate Change
Indigenous peoples are Indigenous peoples are
particularly affected by climate change; they are also affected by climate change; they are also
responding and adapting to it. adapting to it and participating in high-level policy discussions regarding climate change responses. According to the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC) According to the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC)
established in 2008 as the caucus for established in 2008 as the caucus for
indigenousIndigenous participants in the U.N. Framework Convention participants in the U.N. Framework Convention
on Climate Change processes, on Climate Change processes,
indigenous peoples “Indigenous peoples “are especially vulnerable to, and disproportionately impacted by, climate change” and “play a critical role in climate change play a critical role in climate change
mitigation and adaptation through their historic and effective role as stewards of much of the mitigation and adaptation through their historic and effective role as stewards of much of the
world’world's remaining forests.”38 In the 2015 U.N. Paris Agreement, article 7 establishes the “global goal on adaptation of enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate change,” which “should be based on and guided by the best available science and, as appropriate, traditional knowledge, knowledge of Indigenous peoples and local knowledge systems.”39
Global organizations are also consulting Indigenous peoples about managing the climate change impact on biodiversity. The Convention on Biological Diversity published the first draft of the Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework in July 2021, which includes the target to “ensure that relevant knowledge, including the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of Indigenous peoples and local communities with their free, prior, and informed consent, guides decision-making for the effective management of biodiversity.”40 Such targets are generally seen as critical given that 80% of the world’s biodiversity can be found within Indigenous territories.41 Some of the key messages from the 2019 Global Assessment of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services include “nature is generally declining less rapidly in Indigenouss remaining forests.”31 The U.N. Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples states in a 2018 report that “the rate of tree cover loss is less than half in community and indigenous lands compared to elsewhere. Where community rights to own their lands are legally recognized, the difference is even greater. Worldwide, community lands hold at least a quarter of aboveground tropical forest carbon.”32 A 2017 article cites that 80% of the world’s biodiversity can be found within indigenous territories.33
The 2019 Global Assessment of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, produced by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), was carried out by over 100 experts analyzing over 15,000 scientific publications and a “substantive body of indigenous and local knowledge.”34 Some of the key messages from this report include “Nature is generally declining less rapidly in indigenous peoples’ land than in other peoples’ land than in other
lands, but is nevertheless declining, as is the knowledge of how to manage it.”lands, but is nevertheless declining, as is the knowledge of how to manage it.”
3542 The same is said The same is said
of the decline in biodiversity.of the decline in biodiversity.
36 The report also found that “72 per cent of indicators developed by indigenous peoples and local communities show ongoing deterioration of elements of nature
of global forest loss," Science, Vol. 361, Issue 6407, pp. 1108-1111, September 14, 2018, at https://science.sciencemag.org/content/361/6407/1108. For more information about the Brazilian Amazon, see CRS In Focus IF11306, Fire and Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, by Pervaze A. Sheikh et al. For more information about illegal logging around the world, see CRS In Focus IF11114, International Illegal Logging: Background and
Issues, by Pervaze A. Sheikh, Lucas F. Bermejo, and Kezee Procita.
3043 The report stresses that the “Indigenous and local knowledge systems are locally based, but regionally manifested and thus globally relevant.”44
36 Inter-American Commission of Human Rights, Inter-American Commission of Human Rights,
Indigenous Peoples, Communities of African Descent, Extractive
Industries, OEA/Ser.L/V/II, Doc. 47/15, December 31, 2015, at , OEA/Ser.L/V/II, Doc. 47/15, December 31, 2015, at
http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/reports/pdfs/ExtractiveIndustries2016.pdf, p. 9. http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/reports/pdfs/ExtractiveIndustries2016.pdf, p. 9.
3137 World Resources Institute, Undermining Rights: Indigenous Lands and Mining in the Amazon, October 2020, at https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/Report_Indigenous_Lands_and_Mining_in_the_Amazon_web_1.pdf.
38 International Indigenous Peoples' Forum on Climate Change, International Indigenous Peoples' Forum on Climate Change,
“"About the International Indigenous Peoples' Forum on About the International Indigenous Peoples' Forum on
Climate Change,Climate Change,
”" accessed on accessed on
January 14, 2020July 26, 2021, at https://iipfcc.squarespace.com/who-are-we-1, at https://iipfcc.squarespace.com/who-are-we-1
.
39 United Nations, “Paris Agreement,” 2015, at https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/english_paris_agreement.pdf. 40 Convention on Biological Diversity, “First Draft of the Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework,” July 5, 2021, at https://www.cbd.int/doc/c/abb5/591f/2e46096d3f0330b08ce87a45/wg2020-03-03-en.pdf.
41 Linda Etchart, “The role of Indigenous
32 Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, “A Letter from the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples” in Cornered by Protected Areas, 2018, at https://www.corneredbypas.com/
33 Linda Etchart, “The role of indigenous peoples in combating climate change,” Palgrave Communications, 3, article peoples in combating climate change,” Palgrave Communications, 3, article
no. 17085, (August 22, 2017). no. 17085, (August 22, 2017).
34Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, “Summary for Policy Makers” of the Global Assessment of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services42 IPBES, 2019, p. , 2019, p.
2. Hereinafter IPBES, 2019.
3514. 43 IPBES, 2019, p. IPBES, 2019, p.
14. 3631. 44 IPBES, 2019, p. IPBES, 2019, p.
3132. .
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Table A-3 lists resources about Indigenous link to page 24 Indigenous Peoples in Latin America: Statistical Information
important to them.”37 The report stresses that the “indigenous and local knowledge systems are locally based, but regionally manifested and thus globally relevant.”38
A 2012 UNESCO publication “provides an overview of the published scientific literature relating to the contribution of traditional/indigenous knowledge to our understanding of global climate change” given that “indigenous knowledge has been widely recognized in fields such as agroforestry, traditional medicine, biodiversity conservation, customary resource management, applied anthropology, impact assessment, and natural disaster preparedness and response.”39
Table A-3 lists resources about indigenous peoples’ lands, natural resources, and climate change peoples’ lands, natural resources, and climate change
in Latin America. While the titles may not exclusively focus on in Latin America. While the titles may not exclusively focus on
indigenousIndigenous peoples, the peoples, the
industries’ impact on industries’ impact on
indigenousIndigenous people is a part of the analysis of each resource. people is a part of the analysis of each resource.
Human Rights and Multilateral Instruments
Various international human rights mechanisms Various international human rights mechanisms
are designed to protect the rights of protect the rights of
indigenous Indigenous peoples of Latin peoples of Latin
America and the America and the
CaribbeanCaribbean. Table 3 identifies those countries that have ratified or voted in favor identifies those countries that have ratified or voted in favor
of the following three multilateral instruments on of the following three multilateral instruments on
indigenousIndigenous peoples’ rights: peoples’ rights:
International Labor Organization’s Indigenous and Tribal Peoples
Convention, 1989 (No. 169).4045 The convention includes sections on land; The convention includes sections on land;
recruitment and conditions of employment; vocational training, handicrafts and recruitment and conditions of employment; vocational training, handicrafts and
rural industries; and social security and health; education and means of rural industries; and social security and health; education and means of
communication. communication.
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
(UNDRIP).4146 The 2007 declaration covers such topics as self-determination or The 2007 declaration covers such topics as self-determination or
autonomy; land and environment; employment; religion; language and media; autonomy; land and environment; employment; religion; language and media;
education; discrimination and violence; and health. education; discrimination and violence; and health.
American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (ADRIP).4247 The The
2016 declaration approved by the Organization of American States includes 2016 declaration approved by the Organization of American States includes
sections on human and collective rights; cultural identity; organizational and sections on human and collective rights; cultural identity; organizational and
political rights; and social, economic and property rights. political rights; and social, economic and property rights.
37 IPBES, 2019, p. 25. 38 IPBES, 2019, p. 32. 39 Douglas Nakashima, Kirsty Galloway McLean, Hans Thulstrup, Ameyali Ramos Castillo, and Jennifer Rubis, Weathering Uncertainty: Traditional Knowledge for Climate Change Assessment and Adaptation, UNESCO and United Nations University, 2012.
40
Table 3. Latin America and Multilateral Instruments on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights
Voted in favor of
Voted in favor of
Country
Ratified ILO No. 169a
adopting UNDRIP
adopting ADRIP
Argentina
X
X
X
Belize
--
X
X
Bolivia
X
X
X
Brazil
X
X
X
Chile
X
X
X
Colombia
X
Xb
Xc
Costa Rica
X
X
X
Ecuador
X
X
X
El Salvador
--
X
X
Guatemala
X
X
X
45 International Labor Organization, “Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169),” 1989, at International Labor Organization, “Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169),” 1989, at
https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO::P12100_ILO_CODE:C169. https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO::P12100_ILO_CODE:C169.
4146 United Nations, “United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” September 13, 2007, at United Nations, “United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” September 13, 2007, at
https://www.un.org/development/desa/https://www.un.org/development/desa/
indigenouspeoplesIndigenouspeoples/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2018/11/UNDRIP_E_web.pdf. /wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2018/11/UNDRIP_E_web.pdf.
4247 Organization of American States, “American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” June 15, 2016, at Organization of American States, “American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” June 15, 2016, at
https://www.oas.org/en/sare/documents/DecAmIND.pdf. For more information on the Organization of American https://www.oas.org/en/sare/documents/DecAmIND.pdf. For more information on the Organization of American
States, see CRS Report R42639, States, see CRS Report R42639,
Organization of American States: Background and Issues for Congress, by Peter J. , by Peter J.
Meyer. Meyer.
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Table 3. Latin America and Multilateral Instruments on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights
Voted in favor of
Voted in favor of
Country
Ratified ILO No. 169a
adopting UNDRIP
adopting ADRIP
Argentina
X
X
X
Belize
--
X
X
Bolivia
X
X
X
Brazil
X
X
X
Chile
X
X
X
Colombia
X
Xb
Xc
Costa Rica
X
X
X
Ecuador
X
X
X
El Salvador
--
X
X
Guatemala
X
X
X
Guyana Guyana
--
--
X
X
X
X
Honduras
Honduras
X
X
X
X
X
X
Jamaica
Jamaica
--
--
X
X
X
X
Mexico
Mexico
X
X
X
X
X
X
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
X
X
X
X
X
X
Panama
Panama
--
--
X
X
X
X
Paraguay
Paraguay
X
X
X
X
X
X
Peru
Peru
X
X
X
X
X
X
Suriname
Suriname
--
--
X
X
X
X
Uruguay
Uruguay
--
--
X
X
X
X
Venezuela
Venezuela
X
X
X
X
X
X
SourceSources: Compiled by CRS using the fol owing sources: ILO’s web page “Ratifications of C169 - Indigenous and Compiled by CRS using the fol owing sources: ILO’s web page “Ratifications of C169 - Indigenous and
Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169)Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169)
,;” the U.N. web page “United Nations Declaration on the Rights of ” the U.N. web page “United Nations Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous PeopleIndigenous People
,;” and the OAS’ official publication of ADRIP. ” and the OAS’ official publication of ADRIP.
Notes: a. International Labor Organization, “Ratifications of C169 - Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 a. International Labor Organization, “Ratifications of C169 - Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989
(No. 169),” at
(No. 169),” at
https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=1000:11300:0: NO:11300:P11300_INSTRUMENT_ID:312314. https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=1000:11300:0: NO:11300:P11300_INSTRUMENT_ID:312314.
b. From the region, only Colombia abstained from the vote. See U.N, Department of Economic and Social
b. From the region, only Colombia abstained from the vote. See U.N, Department of Economic and Social
Affairs, “United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People,” September 13, 2007, at
Affairs, “United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People,” September 13, 2007, at
https://www.un.org/development/desa/https://www.un.org/development/desa/
indigenouspeoplesIndigenouspeoples/declaration-on-the-rights-of-/declaration-on-the-rights-of-
indigenousIndigenous--
peoples.html. peoples.html.
c. In the footnotes, Colombia “breaks with consensus” on paragraphs within Articles XXIII, XXIX, and XXX.
c. In the footnotes, Colombia “breaks with consensus” on paragraphs within Articles XXIII, XXIX, and XXX.
See Organization of American States, “American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” June 15,
See Organization of American States, “American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” June 15,
2016, at https://www.oas.org/en/sare/documents/DecAmIND.pdf. 2016, at https://www.oas.org/en/sare/documents/DecAmIND.pdf.
d. Cuba is not a voting member. See Organization of American States, “Member States,” accessed on April 22,
2019, at http://www.oas.org/en/member_states/default.asp.
The United Nations has a Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and in 2001 created the Special Rapporteurship on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which promote the rights of indigenous
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peoples across the globe.43The United Nations has a Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and in 2001 created the Special Rapporteurship on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which promote the rights of Indigenous peoples across the globe.48 In 1990, the Organization of American States created the In 1990, the Organization of American States created the
Rapporteurship on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to promote the rights of Rapporteurship on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to promote the rights of
indigenousIndigenous peoples peoples
throughout the Western Hemisphere.throughout the Western Hemisphere.
4449 Table A-4 provides additional resources about the work of provides additional resources about the work of
international organizations with international organizations with
indigenousIndigenous peoples. peoples.
In a 2000 report, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) wrote “concern for
In a 2000 report, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) wrote “concern for
the human rights of the human rights of
indigenousIndigenous peoples and their members has been a constant feature in the work peoples and their members has been a constant feature in the work
of the Commission.”of the Commission.”
4550 The IACHR has tracked its work involving The IACHR has tracked its work involving
indigenousIndigenous peoples. It hosts peoples. It hosts
multiple sessions per year to hold hearings regarding human rights issues affecting a particular multiple sessions per year to hold hearings regarding human rights issues affecting a particular
country or subregion of the Western Hemisphere. One of the categories for hearings is the rights country or subregion of the Western Hemisphere. One of the categories for hearings is the rights
of indigenousof Indigenous peoples peoples
. Table 4 shows the number of IACHR events by country shows the number of IACHR events by country
involving indigenous peoples’ rights. It also shows the number of Inter-American Court of Human Rights legal cases brought by indigenous peoples against countries
48 U.N. Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights, “Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous peoples,” at https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/IPeoples/SRIndigenousPeoples/Pages/SRIPeoplesIndex.aspx.
49 Organization of American States, “Rapporteurship on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” at http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/Indigenous/.
50 Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, The Human Rights Situation of the Indigenous People in the Americas, OEA/Ser.L/V/II.108, Doc. 62, October 20, 2000, at http://www.cidh.org/Indigenas/TOC.htm.
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involving Indigenous peoples’ rights. It also shows the number legal cases brought by Indigenous peoples against countries in the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. .
Table 4. Human Rights Events and Legal Cases about the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples in the Inter-American System 1996-2020
Country
Events on the Rights
Legal Cases brought
of Indigenous Peoples
by Indigenous Peoples
Colombia
Colombia
2627
2
2
Peru
Peru
2022
0
0
Guatemala
Guatemala
18
18
2
2
Ecuador
Ecuador
1314
2
2
Mexico
Mexico
13
13
1
1
Brazil
Brazil
1112
2
2
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
9
9
2
2
Chile
Chile
9
9
2
2
Argentina
Argentina
8
8
2
2
Panama
Panama
8
8
1
1
Bolivia
Bolivia
8
8
0
0
Honduras
Honduras
7
7
2
2
Venezuela
Venezuela
5
5
1
1
Costa Rica
Costa Rica
4
4
0
0
Paraguay
Paraguay
3
3
2
2
Belize
Belize
2
2
1
1
Suriname
Suriname
1
1
2
2
Guyana
Guyana
1
1
0
0
Region
Region
ala
33
N/A
43 U.N. Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights, “Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples,” at https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/IPeoples/SRIndigenousPeoples/Pages/SRIPeoplesIndex.aspx.
44 Organization of American States, “Rapporteurship on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” at http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/indigenous/.
45 Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, The Human Rights Situation of the Indigenous People in the
Americas, OEA/Ser.L/V/II.108, Doc. 62, October 20, 2000, at http://www.cidh.org/Indigenas/TOC.htm.
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34
N/A
Source: Table created by CRS using available data from the IACHR from sessions 91-Table created by CRS using available data from the IACHR from sessions 91-
175178 (February 1996- (February 1996-
March December 2020). The first column data comes from the webpage “Hearings by Topic: Rights of Indigenous Peoples” and the 2020). The first column data comes from the webpage “Hearings by Topic: Rights of Indigenous Peoples” and the
second column data comes from the webpage “Hearings by Topic: Petitions and Cases.” second column data comes from the webpage “Hearings by Topic: Petitions and Cases.”
Notes: IACHR events include topical hearings, petitions, and precautionary measures, which may or may not be IACHR events include topical hearings, petitions, and precautionary measures, which may or may not be
related to a legal case. Legal cases receive an identification number and are counted only once no matter how related to a legal case. Legal cases receive an identification number and are counted only once no matter how
many events are associated with it. Information is not available for all sessions, particularly before 1996. many events are associated with it. Information is not available for all sessions, particularly before 1996.
a. The IACHR uses the regional category for hearings that span multiple countries. Where countries were a. The IACHR uses the regional category for hearings that span multiple countries. Where countries were
named along with the tag “regional,” the hearing was counted for all entities tagged.
named along with the tag “regional,” the hearing was counted for all entities tagged.
In the appendi
In the appendi
x, Table A-5 lists publications that document various human rights issues lists publications that document various human rights issues
confronting confronting
indigenousIndigenous peoples. CRS also publishes a number of reports with country-specific peoples. CRS also publishes a number of reports with country-specific
information on information on
indigenousIndigenous peoples’ human rights issues. peoples’ human rights issues.
4651
4651 See CRS In Focus IF11325, Bolivia: An Overview, by Clare Ribando Seelke; CRS See CRS Report R43813, Report R43813,
Colombia: Background and U.S. Relations, by June S. Beittel;, by June S. Beittel;
CRS In Focus IF11218, Ecuador: An Overview, by June S. Beittel; CRS Report R42580, CRS Report R42580,
Guatemala: Political and Socioeconomic Conditions and U.S. Relations, by Maureen Taft-Morales; CRS Report , by Maureen Taft-Morales; CRS Report
RL34027, Honduras: Background and U.S. Relations, by Peter J. Meyer; CRS Report R42917, R42917,
Mexico: Background and U.S. Relations, by Clare Ribando Seelke, by Clare Ribando Seelke
and Edward Y. Gracia; and CRS Report ; and CRS Report
R44841, R44841,
Venezuela: Background and U.S. Relations, coordinated by Clare Ribando Seelke. , coordinated by Clare Ribando Seelke.
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Appendix A. Data Sources and Resources Lists
Below are notes on the data sources most consulted for this report followed by resource lists regarding Indigenous languages; socioeconomics; land, natural resources and climate change; international organizations; and human rights.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and
Fundación para la Educación en Contextos
de Multilingüismo y Pluriculturalidad (the Foundation for Education in Multilingual and (the Foundation for Education in Multilingual and
Multicultural Contexts or FUNPROEIB) gathered data in 21 Latin American and Caribbean Multicultural Contexts or FUNPROEIB) gathered data in 21 Latin American and Caribbean
countries in 2009 for its report in two volumes titled countries in 2009 for its report in two volumes titled
Atlas Sociolingüístico de Pueblos Indígenas
en América Latina. The report notes the limitations of using national censuses.. The report notes the limitations of using national censuses.
47 52
In 2014, the United Nations’ Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
In 2014, the United Nations’ Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
(ECLAC) (ECLAC)
gatheredcollected population data from 17 Latin American countries using national censuses for population data from 17 Latin American countries using national censuses for
Guaranteeing Indigenous People’s Rights in Latin America: Progress in the pastPast Decade and
Remaining Challenges. The report notes that most countries ask people to self-identify as . The report notes that most countries ask people to self-identify as
indigenousIndigenous with the exception of Peru, which asks people if they speak an with the exception of Peru, which asks people if they speak an
indigenousIndigenous language. language.
4853
In 2015, the World Bank
In 2015, the World Bank
gatheredpublished data data
infrom 16 countries using national censuses and household 16 countries using national censuses and household
survey data in order to publishsurveys in Indigenous Latin America in the Twenty-First Century: the First
Decade..
4954 The report The report
notesnoted that the definition of that the definition of
who is indigenousIndigenous has become increasingly has become increasingly
controversial and “underscores the complexity of identifying controversial and “underscores the complexity of identifying
indigenousIndigenous people across the region people across the region
and argues that the conditions of indigeneity vary over time and are, in some cases, context- and and argues that the conditions of indigeneity vary over time and are, in some cases, context- and
country-specific.”country-specific.”
50
The 2020 edition of Ethnologue documents language counts for each country and divides them into indigenous and non-indigenous55
In 2020, ECLAC and the Development Fund for the Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean (Fondo para el Desarrollo de los Pueblos Indígenas de América Latina y el Caribe) published Los pueblos indígenas de América Latina - Abya Yala y la Agenda 2030 para el Desarrollo Sostenible: tensiones y desafíos desde una perspectiva territorial. The report’s focus on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals notes the advances in including Indigenous peoples’ in official statistics and lists data from 17 national censuses.
The 2021 edition of Ethnologue counted languages for each country and divided them into Indigenous and non-Indigenous categories. Indigenous languages figures were used i categories. Indigenous languages figures were used i
n Table
2 as as
non-Indigenousnon-indigenous is defined as “a language that did not originate in the country, but which is is defined as “a language that did not originate in the country, but which is
now established there either as a result of its longstanding presence or because of institutionally now established there either as a result of its longstanding presence or because of institutionally
supported use and recognition.”supported use and recognition.”
5156 Only living languages were included in the count, not Only living languages were included in the count, not
languages classified as extinct. languages classified as extinct.
Ethnologue’s “about” section provides details on the “about” section provides details on the
methodology, language names, and status of usage. methodology, language names, and status of usage.
The World Bank’s Latin America and Caribbean Equity Lab provides data on poverty, access to services, education and labor (last updated in October 2018). The World Bank notes that ethnic identity is based on self-reported data. Statistics may vary from official statistics reported by governments as the World Bank uses SEDLAC, “a regional data harmonization effort that increases cross-country comparability.”
The web page of the Inter-American Commission’s Human Rights Rapporteurship on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples provides detailed information on hearings and court cases related to indigenous peoples’ rights.
The data on drivers of forest loss in Latin America are from: Philip G. Curtis, Christy M. Slay, Nancy L. Harris, Alexandra Tyukavina, Matthew C. Hansen, "Classifying drivers of global forest loss," Science, Vol. 361, Issue 6407, pp. 1108-1111, September 14, 2018, at https://science.sciencemag.org/content/361/6407/1108. There are multiple methodologies for each driver of forest loss using map-based estimates and sample-based estimates.
47 UNICEF, 2009. pp. vii-ix. 48 ECLAC, 2014, pp. 34-36. 49 IBRD and World Bank, 2015, pp. 6, 9. 50 Ibid. 51 Gary F. Simons (editor), “Language Information,” Ethnologue: Languages of the World. Twenty-third edition, SIL International, 2020, at https://www.ethnologue.com/about/language-info.
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In 2020, the International Labor Organization’s Implementing the ILO Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention No. 169 Towards an Inclusive, Sustainable and Just Future presented multi-faceted statistics on the working conditions of Indigenous peoples with a special emphasis on
52 UNICEF, 2009. pp. vii-ix. 53 ECLAC, 2014, pp. 34-36. 54 IBRD and World Bank, 2015, pp. 6, 9. 55 Ibid. 56 Gary F. Simons (editor), “Language Information,” Ethnologue: Languages of the World. Twenty-third edition, SIL International, 2020, at https://www.ethnologue.com/about/language-info.
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gendered dimensions of labor. The report noted the “continued ‘invisibility’ of Indigenous and tribal peoples in official data and statistics.”57 The data provided is global and regional only.
The World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab provides national data on poverty, access to services, education and labor (last updated in July 2021). Some subnational data is also available although not covered in this report. The World Bank notes that ethnic identity is based on self-reported data. Statistics may vary from official statistics reported by governments as the World Bank uses SEDLAC, “a regional data harmonization effort that increases cross-country comparability.”58
The web page of the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights “Sessions by Topic: Rights of Indigenous Peoples” provides detailed information on hearings and court cases related to Indigenous peoples’ rights.59
For each table below, sources are listed in reverse chronological order with the year in
For each table below, sources are listed in reverse chronological order with the year in
parentheses following the title. Multiple sources from the same year are listed alphabetically as parentheses following the title. Multiple sources from the same year are listed alphabetically as
are sources without a publication date, such as websites. Some sources are global, with a section are sources without a publication date, such as websites. Some sources are global, with a section
dedicated to Latin America. dedicated to Latin America.
Table A-1. Resources on Indigenous Languages in Latin America
Title
Author
Resource Type
URL
Languages of the World,
Languages of the World,
Gary F. Simons (editor),David M. Eberhard, Gary
World language
World language
http://www.ethnologue.co
http://www.ethnologue.co
Twenty-
Twenty-
thirdfourth edition edition
EthnologueF. Simons, and Charles D.
encyclopedia with maps
encyclopedia with maps
m
m
(
(
2020)
2021)
Fennig (editors), Ethnologue
Celebrating Indigenous Celebrating Indigenous
Google Earth
Google Earth
Interactive
Interactive
global website website
https://earth.google.com/
https://earth.google.com/
Languages (2019)
Languages (2019)
web/data=CiQSIhIgYTY1
web/data=CiQSIhIgYTY1
Y2U1NTk3MzE4MTFlOTY2U1NTk3MzE4MTFlOT
kzN2RjN2JkNTNhNDc1kzN2RjN2JkNTNhNDc1
ZGI ZGI
International Year of
International Year of
United Nations
United Nations
Website with
Website with
global map, map,
https://en.iyil2019.org/
https://en.iyil2019.org/
Indigenous Languages
Indigenous Languages
summary report and
summary report and
(2019)
(2019)
more
more
Atlas Sociolingüístico de
Atlas Sociolingüístico de
UNICEF and FUNPROEIB
UNICEF and FUNPROEIB
ReportRegional report in Spanish http://www.funproeibande
Pueblos Indígenas en
Andes
only
s.org/wp-
América Latina,
content/uploads/2018/12/
Volúmenes I and II (2009)
Atlas-tomo_1.pdf; http://www.funproeibandes.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Atlas-tomo_2.pdf
Source: Compiled by CRS.
57 ILO, 2020, p. 44. 58 World Bank’s LAC Equity Lab, “Overview,” accessed July 27, 2021, at https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/poverty/lac-equity-lab1
59 Inter-American Commission of Human Rights, “Sessions by Topic: Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” accessed July 27, 2021, at https://www.oas.org/es/cidh/audiencias/TopicsList.aspx?Lang=en&Topic=17
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in Spanish only
https://www.unicef.org/ho
Pueblos Indígenas en
Andes
nduras/tomo_1_atlas.pdf;
América Latina,
https://www.unicef.org/ho
Volúmenes I and II (2009)
nduras/tomo_2_atlas.pdf
Source: Compiled by CRS.
Table A-2. Resources on Indigenous Socioeconomics
Title
Author
Resource Type
URL
Linking Indigenous
Linking Indigenous
Organization for
Organization for
Report on OECD
Report on OECD
https://www.oecd-
https://www.oecd-
Communities with
Communities with
Economic Cooperation
Economic Cooperation
member countries
member countries
ilibrary.org/urban-rural-
ilibrary.org/urban-rural-
Regional Development
Regional Development
and Development
and Development
including Chile and
including Chile and
and-regional-
and-regional-
(2019)
(2019)
Mexico with some
Mexico with some
development/linking-
development/linking-
information on non-
information on non-
indigenousIndigenous-communities--communities-
member countries
member countries
with-regional-
with-regional-
development_97353723-development_97353723-
en en
State of the world`s
State of the world`s
United Nations
United Nations
Report with a chapter on Global report with a
http://www.un.org/develo
http://www.un.org/develo
indigenousIndigenous peoples: peoples:
Latin America and thechapter on Latin America
pment/desa/
pment/desa/
indigenouspeIndigenouspe
Education, 3rd volume
Education, 3rd volume
and the Caribbean Caribbean
oples/wp-
oples/wp-
(2017)
(2017)
content/uploads/sites/19/2
content/uploads/sites/19/2
017/12/State-of-Worlds-017/12/State-of-Worlds-
Indigenous-Indigenous-
Peoples_III_WEB2018.pdf Peoples_III_WEB2018.pdf
Indigenous Latin America
Indigenous Latin America
International Bank for
International Bank for
Report covers statisticalRegional report covers
http://documents.worldba
http://documents.worldba
in the twenty-first
in the twenty-first
Reconstruction and
Reconstruction and
numbers, migrationstatistical numbers, ,
nk.org/curated/en/2016/0
nk.org/curated/en/2016/0
century: the first decade
century: the first decade
Development and the
Development and the
development, povertymigration, development, ,
2/24863854/
2/24863854/
indigenousIndigenous--
(2015)
(2015)
World Bank
World Bank
poverty, and education and education
latin-america-twenty-first-
latin-america-twenty-first-
century-first-decade century-first-decade
The state of the world´s
The state of the world´s
United Nations
United Nations
Report with a chapter on Global report with a
https://www.un.org/esa/so
https://www.un.org/esa/so
indigenousIndigenous people: people:
Latin America and thechapter on Latin America
cdev/unpfi /documents/20
cdev/unpfi /documents/20
Indigenous people´s
Indigenous people´s
and the Caribbean Caribbean
16/Docs-
16/Docs-
access to health services,
access to health services,
updates/SOWIP_Health.p
updates/SOWIP_Health.p
2nd volume (2015)
2nd volume (2015)
df
df
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Title
Author
Resource Type
URL
Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous Peoples
U.S. Agency for
U.S. Agency for
Website with policy, blog,
Website with policy, blog,
https://www.usaid.gov/
https://www.usaid.gov/
indiIndi
International
International
and more
and more
genous-peoples
genous-peoples
Development
Development
LAC Equity Lab: A
LAC Equity Lab: A
World Bank
World Bank
Regional economic data
Regional economic data
http://www.worldbank.or
http://www.worldbank.or
Platform for Poverty and
Platform for Poverty and
and maps
and maps
g/en/topic/poverty/lac-
g/en/topic/poverty/lac-
Inequality Analysis
Inequality Analysis
equity-lab1
equity-lab1
Source: Compiled by CRS. Compiled by CRS.
Table A-3. Resources on Indigenous Land, Natural Resources, and Climate Change in
Latin America
Title
Author
Resource Type
URL
Environmental
World Justice Project
Report
https://worldjusticeprojec
Governance in Latin
t.org/our-work/research-
America (expected spring
and-data/special-
2020, appears to be
reports/environmental-
delayed)
governance-latin-america
Authorized to Steal:
Center for International
ReportThe State of the World´s
United Nations
Global report
https://www.un.org/devel
Indigenous Peoples: Rights
opment/desa/Indigenousp
to Lands, Territories, and
eoples/wp-
Resources, 5th volume
content/uploads/sites/19/2
(2021)
021/03/State-of-Worlds-Indigenous-Peoples-Vol-V-Final.pdf
Forest Governance by
United Nations Food and
Regional report
http://www.fao.org/3/cb29
Indigenous and Tribal
Agriculture Organization
53en/cb2953en.pdf
People. An Opportunity
and the Fund for the
for Climate Action in
Development of the
Latin America and the
Indigenous Peoples of
Caribbean (2021)
Latina America and the Caribbean
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Title
Author
Resource Type
URL
Environmental
Inter-American
Regional report
https://worldjusticeprojec
Governance Indicators in
Development Bank and
t.org/our-work/research-
Latin America and the
World Justice Project
and-data/environmental-
Caribbean (2020)
governance-indicators-latin-america-and-caribbean
Undermining Rights:
World Resources Insitute
Regional report
https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs
Indigenous Lands and
-
Mining in the Amazon
public/Report_Indigenous
(2020)
_Lands_and_Mining_in_the_Amazon_web_1.pdf
Authorized to Steal:
Center for International
Regional report covers covers
https://www.ciel.org/wp-
https://www.ciel.org/wp-
Organized Crime
Organized Crime
Environmental Law
Environmental Law
government oversight,
government oversight,
content/uploads/2019/07/
content/uploads/2019/07/
Networks Launder Il egal
Networks Launder Il egal
laundering, supply chains
laundering, supply chains
Authorized-to-Steal-July-
Authorized-to-Steal-July-
Timber from the Peruvian
Timber from the Peruvian
and recommendations
and recommendations
2019.pdf
2019.pdf
Amazon (2019)
Amazon (2019)
Blood Gold in the
Blood Gold in the
Jon Lee Anderson, The
Jon Lee Anderson, The
LongRegional long article article
https://www.newyorker.c
https://www.newyorker.c
Brazilian Rain Forest
Brazilian Rain Forest
New Yorker
New Yorker
om/magazine/2019/11/11/
om/magazine/2019/11/11/
(2019)
(2019)
blood-gold-in-the-
blood-gold-in-the-
brazilian-rain-brazilian-rain-
forest?utm_campaign=aud-dev&utm_source=nl&utm_brand=tny&utm_mailing=TNY_Magazine_Daily_110419&utm_medium=email&bxid=5d5c9101576f2c67c471c6f8&cndid=29183913&esrc=&mbid=&utm_term=TNY_Dailyforest
Global assessment report
Global assessment report
Intergovernmental
Intergovernmental
Report with discussion ofGlobal report with
https://ipbes.net/global-
https://ipbes.net/global-
on biodiversity and
on biodiversity and
Science-Policy Platform
Science-Policy Platform
indigenous peoplesdiscussion of Indigenous
assessment-report-
assessment-report-
ecosystem services (2019) on Biodiversity and
ecosystem services (2019) on Biodiversity and
integrated throughoutpeoples integrated
biodiversity-ecosystem-
biodiversity-ecosystem-
Ecosystem Services
Ecosystem Services
throughout
services services
Global Report on the
Global Report on the
Joji Carino, Loreto
Joji Carino, Loreto
Report with a section on Global report with a
https://www.iwgia.org/ima
https://www.iwgia.org/ima
Situation of Lands,
Situation of Lands,
Tamayo, Indigenous
Tamayo, Indigenous
Latin America and thesection on Latin America
ges/documents/briefings/I
ges/documents/briefings/I
Territories and Resources Peoples Major Group for
Territories and Resources Peoples Major Group for
and the Caribbean Caribbean
PMG%20Global%20Repor
PMG%20Global%20Repor
of Indigenous Peoples
of Indigenous Peoples
Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development
t%20FINAL.pdf
t%20FINAL.pdf
(2019)
(2019)
Rainforest Mafias: How
Rainforest Mafias: How
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch
Report on Brazilian public
Report on Brazilian public
https://www.hrw.org/repo
https://www.hrw.org/repo
Violence and Impunity
Violence and Impunity
and private actors, climate rt/2019/09/17/rainforest-
and private actors, climate rt/2019/09/17/rainforest-
Fuel Deforestation in
Fuel Deforestation in
change and public policy
change and public policy
mafias/how-violence-and-
mafias/how-violence-and-
Brazil’s Amazon (2019)
Brazil’s Amazon (2019)
impunity-fuel-
impunity-fuel-
deforestation-brazils-deforestation-brazils-
amazonamazon
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Title
Author
Resource Type
URL
Situation of Human Rights Inter-American
Situation of Human Rights Inter-American
ReportRegional report examines examines
threats
http://www.oas.org/en/iac
http://www.oas.org/en/iac
of the Indigenous and
of the Indigenous and
Commission on Human
Commission on Human
to indigenous peoples,threats to Indigenous
hr/reports/pdfs/Panamazo
hr/reports/pdfs/Panamazo
Tribal Peoples of the Pan-
Tribal Peoples of the Pan-
Rights
Rights
peoples, challenges to challenges to
their rights
nia2019-en.pdf
nia2019-en.pdf
Amazon Region (2019)
Amazon Region (2019)
their rights and and
recommendations
At a Crossroads:
Rights and Resources
Global report
https://rightsandresources
Consequential Trends in
Initiative
.org/wp-
Recognition of
content/uploads/2019/03/
Community-Based Forest
At-A-
Tenure from 2002-2017
Crossroads_RRI_Nov-
(2018)
2018.pdf
Cornered by Protected
Victoria Tauli-Corpuz,
Website with global
https://www.corneredbyp
Areas (2018)
Janis Alcorn, and Augusta
resources including
as.com/
Molnar
report with case studies of Panama and Peru
Congressional Research Service
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Indigenous Peoples in Latin America: Statistical Information
Title
Author
Resource Type
URL
Looted Amazon (2018)
Infoamazonia and Amazon Regional report covering
https://il egalmining.amazo
Georeferenced Socio-
mercury, protected areas,
niasocioambiental.org/?lan
Environmental
Indigenous territories and
g=en
Information Network
conflictsrecommendations
Cornered by Protected
Victoria Tauli-Corpuz,
Website with resources
https://www.corneredbyp
Areas (2018)
Janis Alcorn, and Augusta
including report with case
as.com/
Molnar
studies of Panama and Peru
Looted Amazon (2018)
Infoamazonia and Amazon Report covering mercury,
https://il egalmining.amazo
Georeferenced Socio-
protected areas,
niasocioambiental.org/?lan
Environmental
indigenous territories and
g=en
Information Network
conflicts
Organized Crime and
Global Initiative against
Report examining seven
https://globalinitiative.net/
Il egally Mined Gold in
Transnational Organized
South American countries organized-crime-and-
Latin America (2016)
Crime
il egal y-mined-gold-in-latin-america/
Conservation and
Indian Law Resource
Report with three case
https://www.indianlaw.org/
Indigenous Peoples in
Center
studies in Guatemala,
sites/default/files/2015-01-
Mesoamerica: A Guide
Honduras, and Nicaragua
12_MesoamericaConserva
(2015)
tionGuide_ENG.pdf
Weathering uncertainty:
UNESCO and United
Report with chapter
https://unesdoc.unesco.or
traditional knowledge for
Nations University
dedicated to the Americas g/ark:/48223/pf000021661
climate change
3_eng
assessment and adaptation (2012)
Amazonía Socioambiental
Amazonía Socioambiental
Amazon Geo-Referenced
Amazon Geo-Referenced
Website with maps about
Website with maps about
https://www.amazoniasoci
https://www.amazoniasoci
Socio-Environmental
Socio-Environmental
the Amazon’s protected
the Amazon’s protected
oambiental.org/en/maps/
oambiental.org/en/maps/
Information Network, a
Information Network, a
areas,
areas,
indigenousIndigenous
consortium of civil society territories, deforestation
consortium of civil society territories, deforestation
organizations from several and more (English, organizations from several and more (English,
countries countries
Spanish, Portuguese)
Spanish, Portuguese)
EcoCrime Data
Igarapé Institute and
Mapping tool for
https://ecocrime.igarape.o
InSight Crime
environmental crime in
rg.br/
the Amazon including deforestation, il egal mining, and cattle, soy, and oil activity
Environmental Justice Environmental Justice
Autonomous University
Autonomous University
Map with information Global map with
https://ejatlas.org/
https://ejatlas.org/
Atlas
Atlas
of Barcelona’s Institute of
of Barcelona’s Institute of
information about level of about level of
conflict,
Environmental Science
Environmental Science
conflict, communities, communities,
and Technology
and Technology
commodities, companies,
commodities, companies,
and governmental and governmental
agencies involved, and agencies involved, and
reference links reference links
Indigenous peoples and
Indigenous peoples and
FAO Regional Office for
FAO Regional Office for
Website links to
Website links to
http://www.fao.org/americ
http://www.fao.org/americ
food security in Latin
food security in Latin
Latin America and the
Latin America and the
additional
additional
documents
as/prioridadesregional
as/priorities/pueblos-/pueblos-
America and the
America and the
Caribbean
Caribbean
documents
indigenas/en/ indigenas/en/
Caribbean
Caribbean
International Indigenous
International Indigenous
United Nations
Website for
Website for
caucus ofglobal caucus
https://iipfcc.squarespace.c
https://iipfcc.squarespace.c
Peoples Forum on
Peoples Forum on
indigenousof Indigenous peoples peoples
om/home
om/home
Climate Change
Climate Change
participating in United
participating in United
Nations Framework Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Convention on Climate
Change Change
Landmark Map
Landmark Map
World Resources
World Resources
Maps, data, country Global maps, data,
https://www.landmarkmap
https://www.landmarkmap
Institute, International
Institute, International
country profiles profiles
.org/
.org/
Land Coalition and others
Land Coalition and others
Source: Compiled by CRS. Compiled by CRS.
Congressional Research Service
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Table A-4. Resources on International Organizations and Indigenous Peoples in Latin
AmericaTable A-4. Resources on International Organizations and Indigenous Peoples in Latin
America
Title
Author
Resource Type
URL
Implementing the ILO
International Labor
Global report on income
https://www.ilo.org/wcms
Indigenous and Tribal
Organization
and employment with
p5/groups/public/---
Peoples Convention No.
regional statistics and a
dgreports/---dcomm/---
169 Towards an Inclusive,
focus on gender
publ/documents/publicatio
Sustainable and Just
differences
n/wcms_735607.pdf
Future (2020)
Congressional Research Service
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Indigenous Peoples in Latin America: Statistical Information
Title
Author
Resource Type
URL
The state of the world´s
The state of the world´s
United Nations
United Nations
ReportGlobal report covers covers
https://social.un.org/unpfi /
https://social.un.org/unpfi /
indigenous peopleIndigenous peoples: :
Declaration
Declaration
sowip-vol4-web.pdf
sowip-vol4-web.pdf
Implementing the United
Implementing the United
implementation, official
implementation, official
Nations Declaration on
Nations Declaration on
statistics, challenges and
statistics, challenges and
the Rights of Indigenous
the Rights of Indigenous
priorities
priorities
Peoples, 4th volume
Peoples, 4th volume
(2019) (2019)
Indigenous Peoples and
Indigenous Peoples and
World Intellectual
World Intellectual
Website provides access
Website provides access
https://www.wipo.int/tk/e
https://www.wipo.int/tk/e
Local Communities Portal
Local Communities Portal
Property Organization
Property Organization
to
to
global publications and publications and
events n/indigenous/
n/Indigenous/
events
Indigenous Peoples—OAS Organization of American Indigenous Peoples—OAS Organization of American
Website provides access
Website provides access
http://www.oas.org/en/top
http://www.oas.org/en/top
States
States
to the Rapporteurship on
to the Rapporteurship on
ics/
ics/
indigenous_peoplesIndigenous_peoples.as.as
the Rights of Indigenous
the Rights of Indigenous
p
p
Peoples of the Inter-
Peoples of the Inter-
American Commission on American Commission on
Human Rights, Summits of Human Rights, Summits of
the Americas, special the Americas, special
regional projects and more projects and more
Indigenous and tribal
Indigenous and tribal
International Labor
International Labor
Website provides access
Website provides access
https://www.ilo.org/global/
https://www.ilo.org/global/
peoples
peoples
Organization
Organization
to
to
global projects, projects,
publications
topics/indigenous-
and supervision of
topics/Indigenous-
publications and
tribal/lang--en/index.htm
tribal/lang--en/index.htm
supervision of conventions conventions
United Nations for
United Nations for
United Nations’
United Nations’
Website provides access
Website provides access
https://www.un.org/devel
https://www.un.org/devel
Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous Peoples
Department of Economic
Department of Economic
to the
to the
global Permanent Permanent
Forum
opment/desa/
opment/desa/
indigenouspIndigenousp
and Social Affairs
and Social Affairs
Forum on Indigenous on Indigenous
Issues, the
eoples/
eoples/
Issues, the World Conference on World Conference on
Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous Peoples,
expert group meetings, expert group meetings,
the Special Rapporteur on the Special Rapporteur on
the rights the rights
of Indigenous of indigenous peoples and more peoples and more
Source: Compiled by CRS. Compiled by CRS.
Table A-5. Resources on Indigenous Peoples’ Human Rights in Latin America
Title
Author
Resource Type
URL
Front Line Defenders
Front Line Defenders
Front Line Defenders
Front Line Defenders
Report about physical,Global report about
https://www.frontlinedefe
https://www.frontlinedefe
Global Analysis
Global Analysis
2019
2020
physical, digital, legal and digital, legal and
social
nders.org/sites/default/file
nders.org/sites/default/file
(
(
2020)
2021)
social attacks against attacks against
human
s/global_analysis_2019_w
s/fld_global_analysis_2020
human rights defenders rights defenders
eb.pdf
Human Rights in the.pdf
Annual Report 2020/21:
Amnesty International
Amnesty International
Report with subsection
Global report, see
https://www.amnesty.org/
The State of the World’s
“Americas Regional
download/Documents/PO
Human Rights
Overview”
L1032022021ENGLISH.PDF
Human Rights in the
Amnesty International
Regional report with
https://www.amnesty.org/
Americas Annual Report
subsection on Indigenous
en/documents/amr01/135
2019 (2020)
peoples for each country
3/2020/en/
Congressional Research Service
31
https://www.amnesty.org/
Americas Annual Report
on indigenous peoples for
en/documents/amr01/135
2019 (2020)
each country
3/2020/en/
Indigenous World 2020
International Work
Annual reports from
https://www.iwgia.org/en/
Group for Indigenous
1986-2020 about
resources/indigenous-
Affairs
developments affecting
world
indigenous peoples, organized by country
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Indigenous Peoples in Latin America: Statistical Information
Title
Author
Resource Type
URL
Indigenous
Indigenous
Navigator
Community-generated
Website and database
http://nav.indigenousnavig
(2018)
data, website supported
ator.com/
by the European UnionWorld 2021
International Work
Annual global reports
https://www.iwgia.org/en/
Group for Indigenous
since 1986 about
resources/Indigenous-
Affairs
developments affecting
world.html
Indigenous peoples, organized by country
Indigenous Women and
Indigenous Women and
Inter-American
Inter-American
Report with hearings,Regional report with
http://www.oas.org/en/iac
http://www.oas.org/en/iac
Their Human Rights in
Their Human Rights in
Commission on Human
Commission on Human
hearings, cases, thematic cases, thematic
and
hr/reports/pdfs/Indigenou
hr/reports/pdfs/Indigenou
the Americas (2017)
the Americas (2017)
Rights
Rights
and country reports that country reports that
sWomen.pdf
sWomen.pdf
document violations of
document violations of
the human rights of the human rights of
indigenousIndigenous women women
Guaranteeing
Guaranteeing
indigenous
Economic Commission
ReportIndigenous
United Nations Economic
Regional report covers covers
https://repositorio.cepal.o
https://repositorio.cepal.o
people’s rights in Latin
people’s rights in Latin
Commission for Latin for Latin
America and the
sociopolitical context,
sociopolitical context,
rg/bitstream/handle/11362
rg/bitstream/handle/11362
America: Progress in the
America: Progress in the
CaribbeanAmerica and the
territorial rights, and
territorial rights, and
/37051/4/S1420782_en.pd
/37051/4/S1420782_en.pd
past decade and remaining
past decade and remaining
Caribbean
rights to well-being and
rights to well-being and
f
f
challenges (2014)
challenges (2014)
information
information
Business, Civic Freedoms
Business, Civic Freedoms
Business & Human Rights
Business & Human Rights
DatabaseGlobal database of attacks of attacks
on
https://www.business-https://www.business-
& Human Rights
& Human Rights
Resource Centre
Resource Centre
on human rights human rights
defenders
humanrights.org/search-
humanrights.org/search-
Defenders Portal
Defenders Portal
defenders from 2015 to from 2015 to
present,
human-rights-defenders
human-rights-defenders
present, which specifies which specifies
indigenous Indigenous victims victims
Country Reports on
Country Reports on
U.S. State Department
U.S. State Department
Annual
Annual
report coversglobal reports
https://www.state.gov/rep
https://www.state.gov/rep
Human Rights Practices
Human Rights Practices
cover each country with each country with
section
a orts-bureau-of-orts-bureau-of-
section “Discrimination, “Discrimination,
Societal
democracy-human-rights-
democracy-human-rights-
Societal Abuses, and Abuses, and
Trafficking in
and-labor/country-
and-labor/country-
Persons” that includesTrafficking in Persons”
reports-on-human-rights-
reports-on-human-rights-
indigenous peoplesthat includes Indigenous
practices/
practices/
peoples
Indigenous Navigator
Community-generated
Website and global
http://nav.Indigenousnavig
data, website supported
database
ator.com/
by the European Union
Source: Compiled by CRS. Compiled by CRS.
Congressional Research Service
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link to page 34 Indigenous Peoples in Latin America: Statistical Information
Appendix B. National Agencies of Indigenous
Affairs
Table B-1. Principal National Agencies Overseeing Indigenous Affairs
Country
Agency (parent agency, office)
Website
Argentina
Argentina
Secretaría de Derechos Humanos,
Secretaría de Derechos Humanos,
https://www.argentina.gob.ar/derec
https://www.argentina.gob.ar/derec
Instituto Nacional de Asuntos
Instituto Nacional de Asuntos
hoshumanos/inai
hoshumanos/inai
Indígenas
Indígenas
Bolivia
Bolivia
Ministerio de Culturas
Ministerio de Culturas
y Turismo,
http,
https://www.minculturas.gob.bo/
Descolonización y Despatriarcalización
Brazil
Fundação Nacional do Índio;
http://www.funai.gov.br/
Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária
e Abastecimento
http://www.agricultura.gov.br/
Chile
Ministerio de Desarrol o Social y
http://www.conadi.gob.cl/
Familia, ://www.minculturas.gob.bo/es/a
Viceministro de Interculturalidad &
rticulo/336-viceministro-de-
Viceministro de Descolonización
interculturalidad http://www.minculturas.gob.bo/es/articulo/17-viceministro-de-descolonizacin
Brazil
Ministério da Mulher, da Família e
http://www.funai.gov.br/
dos Direitos Humanos, Fundação
Nacional do Índio; Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e
http://www.agricultura.gov.br/
Abastecimento
Chile
Ministerio de Desarrol o Social,
http://www.conadi.gob.cl/
Corporación Nacional de Corporación Nacional de
Desarrol o Indígena Desarrol o Indígena
Colombia
Colombia
Ministerio del Interior,
Ministerio del Interior,
Dirección
https://www.mininterior.gov.co/misi
https://www.mininterior.gov.co/misi
Viceministerio para la Participaciónde Asuntos Indígenas, ROM y
on/direccion-de-asuntos-indigenas-
on/direccion-de-asuntos-indigenas-
e Igualdad de Derechos, DirecciónMinorías
rom-y-minorias
rom-y-minorias
de Asuntos Indígenas, ROM y Minorías
Costa Rica Costa Rica
Comisión Nacional de Asuntos
Comisión Nacional de Asuntos
http://www.conai.go.cr/
http://www.conai.go.cr/
Indígenas
Indígenas
Ecuador
Ecuador
Consejo Nacional para la Igualdad
Consejo Nacional para la Igualdad
http://www.pueblosynacionalidades.
http://www.pueblosynacionalidades.
de Pueblos y Nacionalidades
de Pueblos y Nacionalidades
gob.ec/
gob.ec/
El Salvador
El Salvador
Ministerio de
Ministerio de
Cultura,
httpCulturaa
https://www.cultura.gob.sv/://www.cultura.gob.sv/
departam
Departamento de Pueblos Indígenas ento-de-pueblos-indigenasmarco-institucional/ /
Guatemala
Guatemala
Ministerio Público, Secretaría de
Ministerio Público, Secretaría de
https://www.mp.gob.gt/
https://www.mp.gob.gt/
noticiasnosotros/ /
Pueblos Indígenas
Pueblos Indígenas
Guyana
Guyana
Ministry of
Ministry of
Indigenous Peoples’Amerindian Affairs
https://moipa.gov.gy/
https://moipa.gov.gy/
Affairs
Honduras Honduras
Secretaría de Desarrol o e Inclusión http://dinafroh.sedis.gob.hn/
Secretaría de Desarrol o e Inclusión http://dinafroh.sedis.gob.hn/
direccioSocial, Dirección de Pueblos Social, Dirección de Pueblos
n-de-pueblos-indigenas-y-
Indígenas y Afrohondureños Indígenas y Afrohondureños
afrohondurenos-dinafroh
Mexico Mexico
Instituto Nacional de los Pueblos
Instituto Nacional de los Pueblos
https://www.gob.mx/inpi
https://www.gob.mx/inpi
Indígenas; Secretaría de Cultura,
Indígenas; Secretaría de Cultura,
Instituto Nacional de Lenguas Instituto Nacional de Lenguas
Indígenas; Indígenas;
Congressional Research Service
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Nicaragua Nicaragua
Asamblea Nacional, Comisión de
Asamblea Nacional, Comisión de
http://legislacion.asamblea.gob.ni/Ta
http://legislacion.asamblea.gob.ni/Ta
Asuntos de los Pueblos Originarios,
Asuntos de los Pueblos Originarios,
blas%20Generales.nsf/InfoComision.
blas%20Generales.nsf/InfoComision.
Afrodescendientes y Regímenes
Afrodescendientes y Regímenes
xsp
xsp
?documentId=70FB74CCEB9CB
Autonómicos; Comisión Nacional
Autonómicos; Comisión Nacional
64E0625838C004FC379&action=op
de Demarcación y Titulación de Demarcación y Titulación
enDocument
Panama Panama
Ministerio de Gobierno y Justicia,
Ministerio de Gobierno y Justicia,
http://www.mingob.gob.pa/viceminis
http://www.mingob.gob.pa/viceminis
Viceministerio de Asuntos
Viceministerio de Asuntos
terio-asuntos-indigenas/
terio-asuntos-indigenas/
Indígenas; Ministerio de Salud,
Indígenas; Ministerio de Salud,
http://www.minsa.gob.pa/direccion/
http://www.minsa.gob.pa/direccion/
Dirección de Asuntos Sanitarios
Dirección de Asuntos Sanitarios
direccion-de-asuntos-sanitarios-
direccion-de-asuntos-sanitarios-
Indígenas
Indígenas
indigenas
indigenas
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Indigenous Peoples in Latin America: Statistical Information
Paraguay Paraguay
Presidencia de la República,
Presidencia de la República,
http://www.indi.gov.py/
http://www.indi.gov.py/
Instituto Paraguayo del Indígena
Instituto Paraguayo del Indígena
Peru
Peru
Ministerio de
Ministerio de
Cultura,
http://cultura.gob.pe/es/intercultural
Viceministerio de Interculturalidad,
idad/politicasindigenas
Dirección de Políticas indígenasSalud, Dirección de
https://www.gob.pe/7662-
Pueblos Indígenas u Originarios;
ministerio-de-salud-organizacion-
Ministerio de Cultura, Base de
de-ministerio-de-salud
datos de Pueblos Indígenas u
https://bdpi.cultura.gob.pe/index.php
Originarios
/
Uruguay
Uruguay
Ministerio del Interior, Área Étnico
Ministerio del Interior, Área Étnico
https://www.minterior.gub.uy/index.
https://www.minterior.gub.uy/index.
Racial
Racial
php?option=com_content&view=ar
php?option=com_content&view=ar
ticle&id=3447 ticle&id=3447
Venezuela
Venezuela
Ministerio del Poder Popular para
Ministerio del Poder Popular para
http://www.minpi.gob.ve/
http://www.minpi.gob.ve/
los Pueblos Indígenas
los Pueblos Indígenas
Source: Compiled by CRS. Compiled by CRS.
a. The Ministry of Culture mentions Indigenous peoples only in its list of responsibilities “Ejercer la rectoría de
los procesos relacionados con el desarrol o socio cultural de los pueblos indígenas.”
Author Information
Carla Y. Davis-Castro Carla Y. Davis-Castro
Research Librarian
Research Librarian
Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan
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