Abstract

From Data to Decision: Using Data and Statistical Information in Parliaments in Latin America and the Caribbean to Address Hunger
Michael A. Rahija and Gloria Lucia Vargas
Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Santiago de Chile, Chile.
michaelaustin.rahija@fao.org; gloria.vargasbriceno@fao.org; gluciavargasb@gmail.com

Access to and use of data is an essential requirement for the formulation of evidence-based public policies. In Latin America and the Caribbean, it is estimated that, in 2024, hunger affected some 34 million people (FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO, 2025), in this context, parliaments play a central role in transforming statistical information into laws, budgets and regulatory frameworks that guarantee the right to food. This article analyzes international and regional experiences in data, identifies structural gaps—such as limitations in technical capabilities, digital infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and institutional trust—and proposes guidelines for consolidating a reliable, accessible, and relevant data ecosystem. It is argued that statistical literacy, strengthening the circulation of data and information and investment in it (FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO, 2025), and transparency in the production of information are fundamental pillars to strengthen the legislative role in food security. In conclusion, moving towards data-literate parliaments not only favors more effective and sustainable policies, but also contributes to the consolidation of democracy and the full guarantee of the right to food in the region.
Keywords: parliaments, food security, data, public policy, data use, Latin America and the Caribbean.