Eficacia del gobierno y acceso a agua de forma segura en América Latina, 2002-2022
Government effectiveness and access to safe water in Latin America, 2002-2022Contenido principal del artículo
Contexto: El acceso al agua gestionada de forma segura es un desafío persistente en América Latina, donde la eficacia gubernamental juega un papel clave en la provisión equitativa de servicios públicos. Objetivo: Analizar la relación entre la eficacia del gobierno y el acceso a agua gestionada de forma segura en ocho países de América Latina durante el período 2000-2022, considerando diferencias estructurales entre países y cambios intra-país. Metodología: Se aplicó un diseño cuantitativo, no experimental y longitudinal, con datos panel país-año (n = 176 observaciones). Los efectos se estimaron mediante modelos de efectos fijos de dos vías, controlando heterogeneidad no observada. Resultados: Se identificó una asociación positiva en el panel agregado (r = 0,38; p < 0,001). Sin embargo, al controlar la heterogeneidad no observada, la relación perdió significancia (β = 0,01; p = 0,94). Se evidenció una tendencia creciente en la cobertura del servicio, aunque persisten desigualdades estructurales entre países. Conclusiones: La relación entre eficacia gubernamental y acceso a agua segura refleja principalmente diferencias estructurales entre países y no cambios intra-país. Esto indica que mejorar el acceso requiere intervenciones adaptadas a las condiciones específicas de cada país y políticas que reduzcan las desigualdades estructurales en la provisión de servicios de agua gestionada de forma segura.
Background: Access to safely managed water remains a persistent challenge in Latin America, where government effectiveness plays a pivotal role in the equitable provision of public services. Objective: This study aims to analyze the relationship between government effectiveness and access to safely managed water across eight Latin American countries during the 2000–2022 period, accounting for cross-country structural differences and intra-country variations. Methodology: A quantitative, non-experimental, and longitudinal design was employed using country-year panel data (n = 176 observations). Effects were estimated using two-way fixed effects models to control for unobserved heterogeneity. Results: A positive association was identified in the aggregate panel (r = 0.38; p < 0.001). However, after controlling for unobserved heterogeneity, the relationship became statistically non-significant (β = 0.01; p = 0.94). While an increasing trend in service coverage was evident, structural inequalities between countries persist. Conclusions: The relationship between government effectiveness and access to safe water primarily reflects structural differences between nations rather than within-country changes. This suggests that improving access requires interventions tailored to country-specific conditions and policies focused on mitigating structural inequalities in the provision of safely managed water services.
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