People of African descent in Latin America and the Caribbean: An exploration of social and territorial realities in the rural world

2 April 2025 | Publication

Work area(s)

Population and development

Topic(s)

Indigenous peoples and Afro-descendants Demography Demographic projections Territorial development

People of African descent in Latin America and the Caribbean: An exploration of social and territorial realities in the rural world

- Publication corporate author (Institutional author): NU. CEPAL; FAO
- Physical description: 78 pages.
- Publisher: ECLAC; FAO
- UN symbol (Signature): LC/TS.2024/136
- Date: 2 April 2025

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Abstract

The content of this document provides an analytical framework on the socioeconomic, political, legal situation of hundreds of Afro-descendant populations in rural areas in Latin America and the Caribbean, focused on the analysis of three key areas: territories, natural resources, and productivity.

Contemporary demographic studies generally describe Afro-descendants as an urban phenomenon, a product of the rural-urban migrations that took place from the second half of the 19th century onwards, when the abolition of slavery began. However, there is a lack of discourse on Afro-descendant life in rural areas, in the agricultural, mining, coastal, forest, savannah, desert, and plains areas where hundreds of families of African descent remain or have migrated. For this reason, this report seeks to give visibility to Afro-descendant life in rural areas in terms of their right to development, their claims and historical reparations.

Table of contents

  • Foreword
  • Introduction: giving visibility to people of African descent in the rural world
  • 2. People of African descent in Latin America and the Caribbean
  • 3. Demographics of the Afro-descendant population in Latin America and their relevance in rural areas
  • 4. Overview of the institutional framework for addressing peoples of African descent issues
  • 5. The Afro-descendant rural population as a collective community with rights
  • 6. Opportunities for Afro-descendant rural life and the key role of Afro-descendant women
  • 7. Overview of the challenges faced by people of African descent in the rural world
  • 8. Conclusions and recommendations to guarantee the rights of people of African descent in the rural world.