Diversity and representation gaps in the Latin American and Caribbean school workforce

Equal representation of gender, race, and ethnicity in teaching and administrative staff has been shown to improve academic outcomes. Identifying gaps in this composition is therefore crucial to developing effective hiring policies and promoting greater diversity in the school workforce. This study accordingly investigates the demographic composition of teaching and administrative staff in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as their representativeness relative to the student and general population. Using data from more than five million teachers and principals, we analyze both gender (21 countries) and ethnic/racial (five countries) composition, considering variables such as school type, educational level, and subject taught.