WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) — A new study by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) says Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) will need about 12 million teachers, three million doctors and eight million nurses by the year 2040.

This is what “Education and Health: The sectors of the future?” the second issue of IDB’s “The future of work in Latin America and the Caribbean” series says in its projection of the demand for social sector professionals in 24 countries in the region.

“Our study shows that, even in the framework of the fourth industrial revolution, we can expect the number of teachers, doctors and nurses in Latin America and the Caribbean to continue growing at great speed,” said Marcelo Cabrol, manager of the IDB Social Sector.

“Our methodology allows us to know that, for example, a third of the teachers that will be needed in 15 years, and almost two thirds of the doctors and nurses, are people who have not yet begun their working life.

“Faced with this reality, the key is to ensure that these new professionals have the skills and training they need to be the teachers, doctors and nurses of the future,” he added.

The IDB said the study’s projections are based on a series of variables specific to these sectors.

In the case of education, it said the school-age population, school enrolment rates and the number of children per teacher are considered.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/LatAm,_Cbean_will_need_23_million_health,_education_professionals_by_2040_IDB_study