The Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region has the highest life expectancy at birth among developing regions. The region is on track to meet a number of human development MDGs. Majority of countries have already reached or are on track to achieve the primary education and access to water goals, and most have achieved the gender equality in education target, especially in secondary education. However, in some countries, boys' underachievement is a concern. Progress towards access to improved sanitation facilities has been a challenge and majority of the countries are off-track. About a third is on track to achieve the child mortality target, but others are off track. Achieving the maternal mortality goal is likely to be difficult for LAC region.

The region has seen a trend declining in the poverty rate, by both $1.25 a day and $2 a day lines. The pace of decline is slow, though more encouraging signs of progress is apparent since 1999. The population living below $1.25 a day in 2005 prices fell from 11.3 percent in 1990 to 8.2 percent in 2005. Using $2 a day poverty line, the regional headcount rate fell from 21.9 percent in 1990 to 17.1 percent in 2005. The mean consumption of the region's poor has shown very little increase over the period, indicating the poor has benefited little from region's economic growth.

Goal 1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Goal 2. Achieve universal primary education

Goal 3. Promote gender equality and empower women

Goal 4. Reduce child mortality

Goal 5. Improve maternal health

Goal 6. Combat HIV / AIDS Malaria & other diseases

Goal 7. Ensure environmental sustainability