Introduction Migration is a growing phenomenon among Latin American countries (LAC) as well as others; however, scarce information is available studying its impact on paediatric groups and its association with socioeconomic variables. Objective To study the association among socioeconomic variables and the immigration rate of paediatric population in LAC. Material and methods Official rates of migration of LAC were obtained from: International Organization for Migration, Pan American Health Organization, and United Nations Development Programme. Demographic and socioeconomic information was also obtained for: gross domestic product (GDP), human development index (HDI), Gini coefficient of inequality (GC), alphabetization rate for adults (AA), net migration rate (NMR), and immigration of children < 15 years (IM15). Description, linear correlations and analysis of differences between groups of countries were assessed. Results The NMR was positive for Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Chile and Argentina. No association among NMR and GDP, HDI, GC, AA was found. A correlation of IM15 was found with: GC (r = 0.668, P =.01), with GDP (r = -0.720; P =.01), AA (r = -0.755; P =.01) and with HDI (r = -0.799; P =.01). Rate of IM15 was lower in LA countries with advanced/medium development (GDP > median) vs those with low development (Fisher, P <.0001). Conclusions There is a direct inverse association between GDP per capita, HDI, AA and GC and the proportion of each country IN15. We did not observe an association between NMR and HDI, AA, and GC. The health impact of these migrations should be analysed.

Migration Gini coefficient Children Human developmentindex Net migration rate Latin america

South and Central America Latin America developing country Developing Countries human statistics and numerical data Developed Countries Gross Domestic Product human development index alphabetization rate Humans migrant Gini coefficient Adolescent Emigrants and Immigrants Socioeconomic Factors socioeconomics gross national product Article adult migration developed country Emigration and Immigration Child