Global Health Intelligence – Healthcare Market Insights for Emerging Markets

The Pulse of Colombia’s Healthcare Sector: A Value Chain on the Brink of Illiquidity

Global Health Intelligence — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 12:39:54 +0000

According to an exhaustive analysis by GHI, led by Germán Chaparro of Proyekta Data Solutions, Colombia’s healthcare industry is facing a critical paradox. While it remains one of the most vital sectors for both the national economy and social well-being, it has devolved into a highly stressed financial environment that fails to generate economic value for its investors.

For medical device manufacturers, technology providers, hospitals, and other ecosystem stakeholders, understanding the data driving this crisis is no longer just a basic market analysis; it has become an absolute necessity for corporate survival.

Currently, the healthcare system’s value chain is suffering from structural liquidity issues, regulatory dependence, and a troubling rise in credit risk. This crisis cannot be blamed on a single participant, but is best understood from two interconnected angles: the financial collapse of the insurers (EPS, or Health Promotion Entities) and the illusion of profitability among healthcare providers (IPS, or Health Service Providing Institutions).

1. The EPS Angle: The Resource Bottleneck

The root of the crisis begins with health insurance. The financial results for Health Promotion Entities (EPS) at the close of 2025 reveal an alarming destruction of equity value, effectively choking off the flow of resources to the rest of the supply chain.

Massive losses: Major insurers like Sanitas and Famisanar, which collectively serve millions of members, reported staggering losses of -$436.84 million USD and -$180.11 million USD, respectively.
Suffocating margins: Entities like Sura, despite posting minor accounting profits, are operating with a negative cash margin of -1.55%.

Financial Results of the EPSs

EPS	Number of Members (04/26)	Profit/Loss as of 12/31/25 (USD)	Cash Margin as of 12/31/25
Sanitas	6,054,232	-$436.84 million	N/A
Sura	5,555,519	$17.16 million	-1.55%
Salud Total	5,389,857	$51.27 million	1.40%
Famisanar	2,591,849	-$180.11 million	0.70%

This inability of the EPSs to sustain their operations leads directly to a systematic pile-up of unpaid bills owed to hospitals, clinics, and, ultimately, medical supply manufacturers.

2. The IPS Angle: When Growth Destroys Cash

For private hospitals and clinics (IPS), the underlying issue isn’t a lack of patients or billing, but rather the sheer inability to turn those rendered services into actual cash.

The illusion of profit: At first glance, private IPSs show a healthy positive return on equity (ROE) of 10.80%. However, this figure does not translate into real money; their cash flow return on investment (CFROI) plummets to -0.36%.
Value destruction: When comparing this to the 16.46% cost of capital demanded by the market, it becomes painfully clear that the sector’s cash flows are simply not enough to offset its financial risks.
The growth trap: The “growth leverage” for private IPSs sits at a mere 0.40. A ratio below 1.0 means that to expand and treat more patients, clinics must inject significantly more working capital than their operations actually generate. Simply put: all profitability is completely swallowed up by accounts receivable.

Growth Leverage (Profitability vs. Liquidity)

EBITDA Margin for Private IPSs in 2025	Working Capital Productivity 2025 (PKT)	Growth Leverage
10.47%	26.50%	0.40

3. The Debt Labyrinth and Service Closures

One of the most severe systemic risks to the supply chain is the lack of transparency regarding exactly how much money is tied up in unpaid debts. Reconciliation is a major problem: the Comptroller’s Office reports EPS debts at $8,657.89 million USD, while the ACHC estimates outstanding debts at $6,289.47 million USD, and Supersalud offers various fragmented figures.

Inconsistencies in Figures

Official Source	Reported Item	Estimated Amount (USD)
Comptroller’s Office	EPS Debts to Healthcare Providers and Suppliers	$8,657.89 million
Supersalud	Accounts receivable from IPS under the contributory system	$8,342.11 million
Así Vamos en Salud	EPS debt to providers	$7,263.16 million
ACHC	Outstanding accounts with hospitals and clinics	$6,289.47 million
Supersalud	Accounts payable to EPS under the contributory system	$5,210.53 million

This financial suffocation is already causing real-world damage to infrastructure and patient care:

According to the original report, 4,104 IPSs closed their doors between 2021 and 2026, representing a steady decline in the country’s installed healthcare capacity.
The current crisis in major cities: Recent reports from the La República newspaper highlight that this impact has reached the largest institutions. Fifteen major clinics in Bogotá and Medellín—which together account for nearly 29% of all enrolled patients—have fully or partially suspended services due to unpaid EPS bills.
Top-tier facilities, including the National Cancer Institute, Clínica de Occidente, Hospital San Rafael, and Clínica Infantil Colsubsidio (which recently shut down its emergency services), have been forced to restrict operations just to stop the drain on their cash reserves.

Conclusion and Strategic Recommendations

Today, the Colombian healthcare sector is a strategically vital but financially exhausted industry, where survival hinges on adapting to an environment of severely restricted resources. For manufacturers of medical equipment, technology, and supplies, the biggest risk right now isn’t making a sale, but rather the immense uncertainty regarding the collectability of those receivables.

Given the obvious illiquidity of debtors, performing rigorous credit risk analysis is no longer just a “best practice”—it is an unavoidable necessity. Financial departments within the sector are strongly advised to implement robust mathematical models before signing any installment agreements. These should include Free Cash Flow analysis, the Z-Score, the Sloan Ratio, and the statistical calculation of the Probability of Default. Protecting your own company’s liquidity is the very first step in safeguarding the stability of the entire system.

Methodological Note: All monetary amounts expressed in this article have been converted from Colombian Pesos (COP) to US Dollars (USD) using an exchange rate of 1 USD = 3,800 COP.

Next Steps

Reach out to GHI to dive deeper into this analysis—conducted alongside Proyekta Solutions—and explore the rapidly shifting landscape of healthcare in Colombia and Latin America. Learn how to adjust your market access strategy to successfully connect with the region’s top healthcare providers. Our research team is ready to equip your organization with the strategic regional intelligence and supply chain insights needed to gain invaluable insights and support smarter decision-making.

Ambulatory Surgical Centers: MedTech’s Next Big Opportunity in Latin America

Mariana Romero Roy — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 12:01:48 +0000

Mariana Romero Roy

Healthcare systems are facing increasing pressure to improve access, reduce waiting times, optimize resources, and maintain high-quality outcomes. In response to these complex challenges, Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) — also referred to as outpatient or ambulatory surgery clinics — are evolving from supplemental care settings into key facilities for future healthcare delivery.

With its established ambulatory surgery ecosystem and early access to modern technologies, North America is at the forefront of the growth of ASCs. However, Latin America is emerging as a critical frontier in the industry.

Led by early-adopting countries like Brazil and Mexico, the Latin American region is at an early but accelerating stage of ASC adoption and outpatient infrastructure expansion. This shift is being supported by medical tourism and private equity investment in premium outpatient surgical centers. For MedTech executives, pharmaceutical leaders, and medical equipment manufacturers, this decentralization of care represents a commercial opportunity that requires a tailored strategic approach.

Economics & Mechanics of the ASC Boom

One only has to look at the numbers to understand the opportunities that ASCs present:

Ambulatory Surgery Market by the Numbers

Global market value in 2026: $54.87b
Projected global market value by 2033: $91.46b
Projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR): 6%
Projected growth of the ASC market from 2024-2029: 30%

This aggressive market expansion across regions is primarily driven by powerful structural and economic incentives:

Cost-driven migration. The economic desire to reduce the per-episode cost of surgical care is a powerful driver of the ASC market. Ambulatory surgical centers offer high-quality care at lower costs compared to traditional hospitals, attracting both patients and insurers. By operating with significantly leaner overhead and avoiding the high fixed costs of 24-hour inpatient infrastructure, these specialized facilities can deliver advanced surgical interventions at a lower price without compromising clinical outcomes
Operational efficiency. ASCs provide more efficient check-in/check-out procedures and faster appointment scheduling. In addition to improving patient satisfaction, this efficiency enables facilities to handle increased patient volumes without sacrificing the standard of care.
Infection control. Growing concerns over hospital-acquired infections are driving patients toward outpatient facilities. ASCs offer a more controlled, lower-traffic environment and eliminate overnight stays, which significantly reduces the risk of post-operative infections for routine procedures.
Demographic shifts. The World Health Organization reported that noncommunicable diseases account for roughly 74% of global deaths, which continues to increase demand for elective and chronic disease-related interventions requiring procedural care. Furthermore, rising elderly population levels are supporting procedure volumes, as older adults require cataract surgery, joint replacement, cardiovascular interventions, and pain management services more frequently than younger populations.

Specialties & Technologies Driving the Outpatient Shift

To effectively capitalize on the ASC boom in Latin America, commercial teams must understand which clinical specialties and technological advancements are enabling this transition. The increasing adoption of minimally invasive surgical techniques is accelerating the growth of the ambulatory surgery market by enabling faster recovery, lower postoperative complications, and shorter hospital stays. This allows more procedures to be performed on a same-day basis.

The market is largely driven by specialized interventions such as the following:

Ophthalmology. Ambulatory surgery accounts for 90% or more of all cataract surgeries in around three-quarters of OECD countries in 2023. This highlights the increased adoption of same-day surgical care models.
Surgical robotics. While the overall Robotic-Assisted Surgery (RAS) market remains relatively small in Latin America compared to more mature global regions, local adoption is beginning to surge. Looking at the global landscape, the ASC surgical robotics market is expanding rapidly, valued at $180 million in 2025 and projected to reach $650 million by 2034 with a CAGR of 24%. Within this robotic sub-segment, orthopedic procedures outside of the hospital operating room (27% CAGR) and endoscopic surgery platforms (30% CAGR) represent high-growth applications. Abdominal surgery remains the most mature segment for ASC robotics, holding a 48% market share.
Endoscopy & diagnostics. Endoscopy is increasingly being integrated into ASC services as an important part of minimally invasive diagnostics and treatments.

Strategic Imperatives for MedTech Growth

Ambulatory surgeries represent one of the most attractive growth opportunities in the MedTech sector. As healthcare continues to shift toward outpatient settings, companies that tailor their product development and commercial strategies to the specific needs of ASCs will lead the market.

However, adapting a mega-hospital sales pitch is not enough to succeed in the specialized outpatient environment. ASCs operate under different constraints, including tighter budgets, strict infection control regulations, and occasional shortages of highly specialized staff. In a fast-paced, high-turnover environment, labor-intensive workflows — such as the complex cleaning and reprocessing of certain surgical devices — can cause bottlenecks or create safety risks if the staff feels rushed.

To win procurement contracts in this space, MedTech companies must provide solutions that solve these operational difficulties. Administrators are no longer just buying medical equipment; they are buying measurable outcomes. Successful manufacturers will move beyond traditional capital sales and offer portfolios that guarantee:

Higher patient throughput. Faster procedure times and quicker patient discharges.
Simplified operations. Intuitive devices that reduce complexity and enhance patient safety.
Maximized productivity. Tools that help smaller clinical teams do more without sacrificing the continuity of care.

Better economics. A radically lower total cost of ownership compared to traditional hospital equipment.

Next Steps

Contact GHI to learn more about the rapid expansion of ASCs and outpatient clinics across the region. Our team can provide the facility-level intelligence and procedural data you need to adjust your sales targets, optimize your portfolio, and capture this dynamic new market.

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Sources:

https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/industry-reports/day-case-surgery-market
https://marketintelo.com/report/ai-enabled-surgical-robotics-for-ambulatory-surgery-centers-market/amp
https://www.frost.com/news/press-releases/ambulatory-surgical-centres-poised-for-sustained-growth-as-healthcare-delivery-continues-to-shift-beyond-the-hospital/
https://www.precedenceresearch.com/endoscopy-and-ambulatory-surgical-center-market

Tracking Latin America’s Hospital and Infrastructure Projects

Guillaume Corpart — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 20:26:42 +0000

Guillaume Corpart

Across Latin America and the Caribbean, healthcare systems are evolving to meet the rising demand for modern infrastructure, digital services, and higher-quality care. While the region has historically struggled with aging facilities and a shortage of hospital beds, a new influx of public and private investment is addressing these deficits through targeted construction projects.

In 2026, several multi-year investment projects are leading to the opening of new specialized hospitals and healthcare complexes across the region. For medical device manufacturers and equipment suppliers, this infrastructure expansion creates an ample commercial opening. While this trend is visible across the region, it is most pronounced in Mexico’s public sector, where historic state investments are rewriting the procurement landscape. Because these new facilities are built to integrate modern medical technology from the ground up, they require a full range of equipment, from diagnostic imaging systems to fully outfitted surgical suites.

Mexico’s Public Healthcare Expansion

At the forefront of this effort is the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS). As a major segment of the country’s public healthcare system, the IMSS is currently executing one of the most ambitious infrastructure expansions in recent history. According to IMSS data, having already doubled the number of hospital beds added compared to the previous six decades combined, the institute is projecting an aggressive push in 2026. With five new hospitals already operational, the IMSS is scheduled to open six additional major facilities this year.

The goal of this initiative is to reach a total capacity of 45,000 beds in IMSS-run public hospitals by 2030 — a significant increase of 10,000 beds from current levels. This expansion is designed to restore lost capacity, improve coverage in underserved regions, and respond to the rising demands of an aging population dealing with chronic diseases.

For MedTech suppliers, tracking the specific profiles of these public facilities is critical to forecasting demand:

Hermosillo, Sonora (HGZ No. 15). This 115-bed facility will operate as a university hospital featuring five operating rooms and highly advanced diagnostic tools, including resonance imaging and tomography.
Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche. This will be a highly specialized gynecology and pediatric hospital featuring 74 beds, intensive care units (adult, pediatric, and neonatal), and a full suite of imaging tech including mammography and ultrasonography.
Guanajuato and Tula de Allende. Considerable expansions are underway. Guanajuato is expanding from 20 to 120 beds with specialized oncology and nephrology areas, while Tula de Allende is expanding from 40 to 144 hospital beds.
Ticul, Yucatán. This 94-bed facility will feature five operating rooms, adult intensive care, and advanced hemodialysis and diagnostic equipment.

Beyond individual hospitals, the Mexican federal government is also executing the “Comprehensive Plan for the Eastern Zone of the State of Mexico,” focusing on regional infrastructure, healthcare, and public services to improve conditions for residents.

Infrastructure Expansion Elsewhere in Latin America

While Mexico is showing significant expansion, it reflects a broader trend impacting countries across Latin America. For example, some of the largest healthcare construction projects in recent years have also taken place in Chile and Panama. Additionally, Brazil has several large infrastructure expansions currently underway. Even regions that aren’t building entirely new facilities are executing renovation initiatives to bring their existing clinical tools and technologies up to modern industry standards.

Modernizing Clinical Infrastructure

The current wave of construction focuses on modernizing the clinical environment rather than simply increasing bed counts. As the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) notes, many patients in the region still rely on aging facilities that are ill-equipped for complex healthcare demands, leading to operational delays and increased health risks.

To address this, newly built hospitals prioritize flexible, resilient designs. These modern facilities are structured to adapt to sudden epidemiological shifts and changing clinical needs without requiring expensive, large-scale renovations.

The Impact on MedTech Procurement

For the MedTech industry, this evolution in hospital design directly influences purchasing decisions. New facilities prioritize equipment that integrates seamlessly into efficient, digital workflows. To succeed in this market, suppliers must offer interoperable solutions—from advanced building management tools to medical equipment that feeds data directly into centralized electronic health records (EHR)—that support a higher standard of operational efficiency.

Strategic Imperatives for MedTech Leaders

The launch of these large-scale hospitals and regional care networks creates substantial, immediate procurement needs. To capture market share in this booming infrastructure environment, commercial teams must adapt their approach:

Engage early in the design phase. The most successful equipment manufacturers do not wait for hospital doors to open before beginning to sell. By tracking infrastructure investments early, suppliers can consult on the spatial and technical requirements needed for heavy capital equipment, such as MRI suites or robotic surgery theaters, locking in contracts before construction is even finalized.
Offer comprehensive turnkey solutions. Administrators of new major hospitals are tasked with outfitting entire departments at once. Manufacturers who can offer comprehensive, bundled solutions — combining capital equipment, consumables, and long-term maintenance contracts — will win out over highly fragmented, single-product vendors.
Align with public tender strategies. Massive expansions like the IMSS project in Mexico are publicly funded, so MedTech teams must ensure they have the regulatory and administrative agility to navigate complex government procurement processes and public-private partnerships.

Next Steps

The 2026 infrastructure boom is redrawing the map of Latin American healthcare capacity. Contact GHI to access deep, localized intelligence on the region’s evolving hospital landscape and installed equipment base. Our data helps you develop accurate forecasts, engage the right stakeholders, and outpace the competition in Latin America’s fastest-growing markets.

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Sources:

https://www.proyectosmexico.gob.mx/en/projects-hub/comprehensive-plan-for-the-eastern-zone-of-the-state-of-mexico/
https://mexicobusiness.news/health/news/imss-expands-public-healthcare-services-11-new-hospitals
https://www.imss.gob.mx/prensa/archivo/202601/035
https://www.iadb.org/en/blog/health-nutrition-and-population/hospital-infrastructure-building-quality-better-care
https://www.worldconstructionnetwork.com/marketdata/five-largest-south-and-central-america-healthcare-building-construction-projects/
https://globalhealthintelligence.com/ghi-analysis/recent-developments-in-the-brazilian-hospital-market/

Redefining the Latin American Healthcare Landscape: Strategic Shifts and MedTech Opportunities

Guillaume Corpart — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 18:34:18 +0000

Guillaume Corpart

When considering the leading healthcare markets around the world, North America and Europe are usually the first two regions that come to mind. However, Latin America is steadily ascending as a center of clinical excellence and medical innovation.

According to a recent analysis of Brand Finance’s Global Top 250 Hospitals report, hospital brand strength is a critical driver of patient choice, institutional prestige, and clinician recruitment. The data reveals that Brazil has officially entered the top 10 countries worldwide for top-rated hospital brands. Boasting three hospital brands in the global top 100, Brazil now stands on par with advanced healthcare hubs.

For MedTech executives, this transformation signals a fast-growing market eager for advanced medical devices, robotics, and digital health solutions. As Latin American facilities build a worldwide reputation, commercial teams must align their market access strategies to meet this demand.

**Decoding the Statista & Newsweek Rankings: The Elite Private Sector**

The global recognition of Latin American healthcare is strongly echoed by detailed regional evaluations. In the 2026 ranking of Latin America’s Top Private Hospitals & Clinics — a comprehensive list developed by Newsweek in partnership with Statista — the region’s elite institutions demonstrate world-class capabilities. Leading the list is Brazil’s Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in São Paulo, which secured the number-one rank across multiple high-acuity specialties, including refractive eye surgeries, and the number-two rank in orthopedic knee and hip replacements.

The excellence extends beyond Brazil. The ranking highlights a highly competitive network of top-tier private hospitals, including Colombia’s Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Chile’s Clínica Alemana Vitacura, and Argentina’s Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. These institutions dominate the region in high-margin, complex procedures. For example, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá ranks first in the region for knee and shoulder surgeries, while Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires ranks within the top five for both hip and knee procedures.

For MedTech sales teams, these elite facilities represent prime targets. Hospitals engaging in high-volume, highly specialized procedures are actively seeking premium, cutting-edge medical devices. They prioritize clinical excellence and rapid patient recovery, making them ideal early adopters for high-end robotic surgery platforms, advanced diagnostic imaging, and innovative surgical tools. By targeting these elite private centers, MedTech firms can establish strong footholds and key opinion leader (KOL) networks that influence procurement trends across the broader regional market.

Mexico: The Supply Chain and Manufacturing Titan

While South America captures significant attention for hospital brand prestige, Mexico is the backbone of the region’s MedTech supply chain. Over the last few years, Mexico has transitioned from a secondary manufacturing option to the primary production platform for most major device Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Currently, Mexico is the single largest source of imported medical devices sold in the United States, accounting for roughly one in five devices imported annually.

In 2024, Mexico generated $19.3 billion in medical device exports, solidifying its rank as the sixth-largest medical device exporter globally. Several structural forces are driving this dominance. The economics of domestic U.S. medical device production are tightening due to compressed profit margins, rising input costs, and increased regulatory burdens. Considering that medical device manufacturing is highly labor-intensive and labor costs in Mexico are 40% to 60% below U.S. levels, the nation has a massive strategic and economic advantage.

Furthermore, trade and tariff policies are fundamentally reshaping global supply chains. High tariffs on Asian imports have made overseas components significantly more expensive, while Mexico, operating under the USMCA framework, offers a highly favorable and tariff-efficient production environment.

Mexico currently has over 250 companies manufacturing medical devices, with massive clusters located in border states like Baja California and in Nuevo Leon, which serves as a leading hub for electronic medical equipment manufacturing. For global MedTech companies, expanding production or partnering with manufacturers in Mexico is critical to protecting profit margins while ensuring supply chain resilience.

The Surge in Medical Device Contract Manufacturing

Along with a growing medical device export market in countries like Mexico, Latin America is also experiencing greater internal demand for healthcare technology created within the region. These two factors are driving a major boom in Latin America’s medical device contract manufacturing sector.

Latin American Medical Device Contract Manufacturing by the Numbers

Market value in 2024: $3.4b
Projected market value by 2032: $7.4b
Projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR): 2%

This growth is fueled by an expanding middle class, an aging population, and rising healthcare expenditures that require advanced diagnostic tools, surgical instruments, and patient monitoring systems. Additionally, Latin America is becoming a preferred outsourcing destination for North American and European companies seeking competitive cost structures and favorable exchange rates without sacrificing proximity to key markets.

A prominent trend in this sector is the expansion of outsourcing partnerships between regional manufacturers and international device companies. Regional manufacturers are increasingly adopting advanced production technologies, such as automation and 3D printing, and placing greater emphasis on regulatory compliance to align with strict international standards.

Brazil currently holds the largest market share in this regional sector at approximately 45%, with Mexico and Argentina also serving as key players. MedTech leaders can capitalize on this trend by establishing regional manufacturing partnerships, thereby reducing time-to-market and lowering production costs for devices intended for both local consumption and international export.

Strategic Imperatives for MedTech Growth

As Latin American healthcare rapidly evolves, MedTech commercial teams must adapt their strategies to stay ahead. The data makes one thing clear: the region is no longer a secondary, emerging market — it is a sophisticated landscape demanding world-class solutions. To capitalize on these shifts, MedTech executives must focus on targeted market access, supply chain optimization, and deep regional intelligence.

By understanding the intersection of hospital brand prestige, procedure volumes at top private clinics, and the nearshoring manufacturing boom in Mexico, MedTech companies can position themselves as indispensable partners. Winning in Latin America requires a strategy that leverages local manufacturing efficiencies to deliver cutting-edge technologies. As the prestige of hospitals in the region continues to rise, their purchasing power and demand for innovation will grow with it.

Next Steps

Contact GHI to learn more about the evolving landscape of clinical excellence and manufacturing shifts across Latin America and how you can adjust your market access strategy to engage with the region’s healthcare providers. Our team of researchers can provide the deep regional intelligence and supply chain analysis you need to gain valuable insights to support strategic decision-making in your industry.

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Sources:

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/dp/mapped-countries-with-the-most-top-rated-hospitals/
https://rankings.newsweek.com/latin-americas-top-private-hospitals-clinics-2026
https://insights.tetakawi.com/overview-of-medical-device-manufacturing-in-mexico
https://www.ivemsa.com/medical-device-manufacturing-mexico-overview/
https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/latin-america-medical-device-contract-manufacturing-market

Precision Growth: Assessing the Robotic-Assisted Surgery Boom in Latin America

Mariana Romero Roy — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 18:27:16 +0000

Mariana Romero Roy

As healthcare ecosystems across Latin America undergo rapid modernization, the transition from traditional open surgeries to robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) is reshaping the clinical landscape. Previously considered a luxury, surgical robotics is now a central pillar for top-tier hospitals aiming to enhance their global rankings, improve precision, and cut patient recovery times.

Consequently, the Latin American medical robotics market is projected to grow significantly in the years ahead:

Latin American Medical Robotics Market by the Numbers

Market value in 2025: $1.5b
Projected market value by 2034: $8.4b
Projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR): 21%

For MedTech executives, this growth signals a shift in the region. Latin America is no longer just an emerging territory; it is a highly competitive, fast-adopting region. Understanding the specific specialties driving this adoption, the evolving competitive landscape, and the commercial models required to win is crucial for navigating the Latin American RAS market.

The Reign of Soft-Tissue Robotics and Evolving Competition

Robotic-assisted surgery systems generally fall into three primary categories: soft tissue, orthopedic, and other specialized systems. Soft-tissue surgeries — most notably in urology, gynecology, and general gastroenterology — currently dominate the RAS landscape. For patients, these systems allow for smaller incisions, reduced blood loss, less postoperative pain, and faster healing times. For surgeons, robotics provide enhanced dexterity and precision, enabling complex operations in difficult-to-access areas.

Historically, Intuitive Surgical, Inc. held the largest market share in the soft-tissue segment with its Da Vinci systems. Major healthcare institutions in early-adopting nations like Brazil and Mexico have heavily invested in these Da Vinci platforms to elevate their surgical capabilities.

However, a significant market shift is underway. The expiration of several first-generation patents has spurred global competition, driving down technology costs and breaking open the Latin American market to new entrants. This is leading to the rapid expansion of the competitive landscape in several ways:

Global competitors like Medtronic, Microport and CMR Surgical are entering key markets like Brazil, Mexico and Chile.

Medtronic recently launched its Hugo RAS system in Mexico, specifically designed for soft-tissue procedures, expanding its regional footprint.
To capture market share, these new entrants are moving beyond traditional capital equipment sales by deploying commercial strategies, including trial agreements and leasing models.

The Orthopedic Boom and the Demographic “Silver Surge”

While soft-tissue procedures represent the current anchor of the RAS market, orthopedic robotics have massive potential for future growth. This expansion is directly fueled by a demographic shift across the region toward an older population.

These figures from a June 2024 study by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) provide a sense of just how much demographics in the region are changing:

Latin American and Caribbean population age 60 and over in 2024: 95m
Percentage of the region’s total population that group represents: 14%
Projected percentage of the region’s population age 60 and over by 2050: 25%

This rapidly aging population — the “Silver Surge” — is driving unprecedented demand for joint replacement and reconstructive procedures. In response, top-tier private hospitals are turning to robotic assistance to achieve the anatomical precision required for complex knee, hip, and spine surgeries. In the orthopedics sector, several leading manufacturers have established a strong presence:

Zimmer Biomet is a key player in the region’s orthopedic robotics market.
Medtronic, Stryker and Smith & Nephew also hold significant market positions with their respective orthopedic platforms.

Despite the presence of these major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), overall penetration in the orthopedic robotics segment remains relatively low in Latin America, leaving ample room for growth.

A Strong Clinical and Academic Foundation

The commercial expansion of RAS in Latin America is supported by a robust academic foundation. Regional healthcare professionals are not merely purchasing robots, they are actively publishing clinical research and refining surgical protocols. A comprehensive bibliometric analysis of robotic surgery research from 2009 to 2022 revealed a 22% annual increase in scientific production across Latin America.

The academic trends closely mirror the commercial market:

Urology was the most frequent topic of published research, accounting for 35% of regional studies.
General surgery followed closely, representing 34% of the academic output.
Obstetrics and gynecology accounted for 12% of the published literature.

Geographically, this research is heavily concentrated. Mexico, Chile, and Brazil rank as the top nations for total citations and corresponding authors in the field. Furthermore, the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile stands out as the single Latin American institution with the highest production of robotic surgery manuscripts. For MedTech commercial teams, partnering with these leading academic institutions is a critical strategy for establishing Key Opinion Leader (KOL) networks and driving clinical adoption.

Navigating Commercial Barriers and Shaping Go-to-Market Strategies

Despite the clear clinical benefits, MedTech firms face distinct commercial hurdles when scaling RAS platforms in Latin America. The most obvious challenge is the high upfront capital cost of acquiring robotic systems. Integrating these platforms requires specialized operating rooms, intensive staff training, and dedicated maintenance teams, resources that many regional hospitals lack.

Furthermore, insurance coverage remains a significant barrier. In many Latin American countries, insurance providers do not offer comprehensive reimbursement for robotic procedures. As a result, patients are burdened with higher out-of-pocket copayments compared to traditional laparoscopic or open surgeries, which restricts access to a narrower, high-income demographic.

To overcome these barriers, MedTech manufacturers must evolve their go-to-market strategies. Successful companies are pivoting toward flexible financial structures, such as Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS), leasing arrangements, and pay-per-procedure payment models. These cost-adaptive strategies allow private hospitals to access high-end technologies without prohibitive capital investments.

Additionally, manufacturers are developing more compact, flexible robotic systems designed to reduce the physical footprint required in the operating room. Finally, to lower the barriers of training and integration, successful OEMs are establishing their own direct operations in Latin America, bypassing traditional third-party distributors to directly manage physician proctoring, extended warranties, and customer support.

The Future of Medical Robotics

The robotic surgery boom in Latin America is no longer a distant forecast but a present reality. Fueled by a rapidly aging population, private hospital investments, and a supportive academic environment, the market is primed for continued expansion.

For MedTech commercial leaders, success will require more than simply delivering superior technology. It will require localized intelligence, flexible commercial models, and strategic partnerships with the facilities driving the region’s surgical revolution.

Next Steps

Contact GHI to learn more about the rapid expansion of robotic-assisted surgery and the rise of the “silver economy” across Latin America, and how you can adapt your commercial models to overcome market barriers. Our team of researchers can provide the clinical, academic, and competitive analysis you need to gain valuable insights to support strategic decision-making in your industry.

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Sources:

https://www.imarcgroup.com/latin-america-medical-robotics-market
https://www.lek.com/insights/medtech/robotic-assisted-surgery-opportunity-latam
https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/surgical-robots-market
https://mexicobusiness.news/health/news/robotic-surgery-set-rapid-expansion-mexico
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38492059/
https://idataresearch.com/robotic-surgery-growth-regions-and-trends/

The Impact of Latin America’s “Silver Economy” on MedTech

Mariana Romero Roy — Mon, 18 May 2026 12:21:06 +0000

Mariana Romero Roy

An aging population is not a uniquely Latin American problem. According to the World Health Organization, one in six people globally will be over the age of 60 by 2030, and by 2050, the number of people age 60 and over will double to 2.1 billion. [1]

However, some sources estimate that Latin America is aging faster than any other region in the world. While they don’t have the oldest populations — those belong to Europe and East Asia — the declining birth rate and accelerating aging of the population are going to lead to some eye-opening statistics in the near future. [2] For example:

Projected LatAm population percentage age 65 and over by:

2030 – 11.88%
2040 – 15.21%
2050 – 18.9%

Then, when you consider that the birth rate has declined from almost 6 children per woman in 1952 to 1.8 per woman in 2024, it’s easy to see why the “silver economy” is about to take over the region in the years ahead. [3]

The Aging Impact on Healthcare

As you can imagine, this rapidly aging population in the region will have a significant impact on the healthcare sector and, more specifically, on medtech in the decades to come. In fact, the journal Age and Ageing noted in a 2022 article that the region is already starting to struggle to keep up with the aging population. [4]

The challenges of the recent COVID-19 pandemic have already exposed some of the gaps in regional care that will become even more obvious as Latin America is beset by more chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, as well as other common ailments among the elderly. [4]

As rates of chronic disease increase across the region, the demand for relevant medical supplies and equipment is sure to follow suit. These are the projections for some common chronic medical conditions in the years ahead:

Chronic medical condition projections:

Diabetes – Expected to increase by 46% to 52 million by 2050 in LatAm [5]
Heart disease – Expected to almost double to 1.14 billion globally by 2050 [6]
Cancer – Expected to increase by 50.7% in LatAm from 2022 to 2050 [7]
Alzheimer’s – Expected to increase from 7.8 million to over 27 million by 2050 [8]

Just this small list of chronic, age-related medical conditions shows that the impact is about to be very real and significant. That doesn’t even include the large list of other issues that older people will face, particularly age-related mobility problems.

Meeting the Challenge

Despite the challenges that lie ahead, many countries in Latin America are well aware of the issues and are taking steps to be ready for the influx of patients. For example, since 2021, the Pan American Health Organization has placed its focus on “A Decade of Healthy Aging,” advocating for and initiating public health programs that help people in the region age healthily and happily. [9]

While helpful, these programs are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to preparing for the changes of the “silver economy” in the years ahead. According to top regional health experts, the healthcare industry must focus on the following initiatives to be ready:

Aging support planning, including integrated care systems, geriatric infrastructure and additional medical support staff.
Financing reform to prioritize essential services and reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Strengthened prevention and primary care to prevent chronic disease or catch problems early before they grow worse.
Data and strategic intelligence to use modern tools to address growing healthcare needs with accuracy and precision. [10]

Key Takeaways for Health Care Companies

Clearly, the road for healthcare systems and hospitals trying to prepare for the “silver economy” is going to be a bumpy one with a lot of twists and turns ahead. But for medical technology firms, manufacturers, and suppliers, the opportunities to be part of the solution for the entire region are substantial.

Almost across the board, entire sectors and sub-sectors of healthcare are going to see significant demands for more supplies and equipment. This will include diagnostic equipment, life support equipment, devices for diagnosing and treating heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, and orthopedic devices and implants. As medicine continues its transition to telemedicine and remote care, systems that support home care and remote monitoring will also thrive.

The shift in the “silver economy” should be significant enough to extend beyond medical devices and equipment, as well. Systems may need to be upgraded to hold up to a massive influx of patients, not to mention facilities.

Planning Your Silver Economy Roadmap

Your firm is primed to help Latin America continue a “Decade of Healthy Aging,” and the time is now to begin planning your roadmap for the years ahead. The data provided by Global Health Intelligence can help you make strategic decisions about the countries, healthcare systems, and hospitals where you should be focusing your attention.

Medtech reps can stay agile with their forecasts and sales strategies by using SurgiScope for real-time data while tracking shifting procedure volumes. They can also identify which hospitals are experiencing spikes in orthopedic procedures.

HospiScope is also valuable in providing hard, localized data on the specific hospitals that have equipment needs. This is a much more valuable tool for crafting real-time forecasts and sales strategies than relying on historical assumptions for adjusting sales targets.

Next Steps

Contact GHI to learn more about the rise of the “silver economy” across Latin America, and how you can adjust your company’s strategy to meet the changing healthcare landscape that will result. Our team of researchers can provide the analysis you need to gain valuable insights to support strategic decision-making in your industry.

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The Invisible Threat: Securing the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) in LatAm Hospitals

Guillaume Corpart — Mon, 18 May 2026 11:36:33 +0000

Guillaume Corpart

As wireless technology and AI make their way from standard computing into device integrations, it’s opening vast opportunities for what’s possible in modern healthcare. Everything from infusion pumps to MRI machines to pacemakers and more now have wireless connectivity. For both providers and patients, this creates new possibilities for education, transparency, and treatment.

These devices have now become such an integral aspect of healthcare that they have their own moniker: The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). These are just a few possibilities that were unthinkable several years ago, thanks to the development of IoMT:

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) of people with chronic health conditions.
Data collection from wearable health devices.
Location tracking and ambulance routing for high-risk patients.
Medication tracking.

The opportunities both in and outside of medical facilities are great. Doctors and nurses can check in on a patient’s well-being remotely in between patient checkups. And this can happen in the same hospital, or even hundreds of miles away. The potential of telemedicine and remote care is being super-charged by the advent of the IoMT. [1]

Possible Vulnerabilities

Of course, every new technology, however promising, comes with its own set of risks, and the IoMT is no different. While the medical possibilities of this tech are great, so are the potential risks of cybersecurity threats or possibly even cyberattacks. “Cybersecurity readiness in healthcare remains an important challenge across the region, and it should remain a priority in the years ahead,” says Alejandro Valenzuela, Global Director of Product Marketing for GE Healthcare. [2]

What’s more, some tech teams may be more focused on the medical aspects of their technology rather than the wireless capabilities, leaving them more vulnerable to attacks. Here are some of the potential vulnerabilities that have been identified for the IoMT:

Weak or hardcoded passwords
Insecure networks or interfaces
Vulnerable software updates
Outdated components
Lack of physical hardening
Insecure default settings
Improper device management
Insecure data transfer and storage
Lack of privacy protection [3]

Regional Cybersecurity Concerns

Since Latin America’s digital infrastructure is not as developed as that of other regions in the world, it has been identified as an area where the risks are especially acute. Regional firms in Latin America are well aware of this risk, as well. A recent WEF survey found that 42% of Latin American firms lack confidence in their country’s cyber readiness. These numbers are much higher than similar firms in Africa (36%), Asia (20%), Europe (15%), and North America (15%). [3]

The market also seems to indicate that Latin America is aware of these IoMT cybersecurity risks and is willing to make the investments to correct some of the current deficiencies. Recent market data indicates that the Latin American cybersecurity market was valued at $1.16b in 2024 and is projected to grow to $5.47b by 2033. That’s a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.81%. [4]

Protecting Your Devices

Clearly, the region is willing to make the necessary investments to improve cybersecurity and hopefully minimize risks in the future for the IoMT. In the meantime, however, the current infrastructure lags behind the rest of the world, putting your devices and software at risk. This puts the responsibility on the equipment manufacturers themselves to build robust security protocols directly into their devices, rather than relying on regional and hospital-wide IT systems to handle this security for them.

Key Takeaways for Health Care Companies

For medtech manufacturers and suppliers of cutting-edge, connected devices that are part of the IoMT, the potential cybersecurity risks are a challenge that must be addressed in the coming years. However, if your technology already handles these challenges well, or you have plans to address these concerns in the near future, it could serve as a major market advantage and a key differentiator for your company when it comes to potential sales.

Latin American healthcare as a whole is growing more technologically advanced, and the market is more receptive to the connected equipment that makes up the IoMT than ever before. Current estimates and projections place the overall IoMT market value at over $7.5b in 2024, with a projection of over $25b by 2033. That’s a CAGR of 14.3% over the next 10 years. [5]

What’s more, concerns over cybersecurity risks in the region are active and spreading, as the survey data and market projections for healthcare cybersecurity seem to indicate.

What that means for IoMT suppliers is that firms with secure, reliable, and safe medtech have the clear market advantage. By making this a point of emphasis on your strategic roadmap, you’ll have the advantage over your competitors in the years ahead.

Of course, the ultimate test is to educate your potential customers on the true advantages of your products, and how they have all the latest tools, technologies, and security protocols to protect your data and prevent any potential cyberattacks. Cybersecurity should be a key element when training your sales reps on the products they plan to sell.

Next Steps

You can rely on Global Health Intelligence and our suite of data analytics tools, like HospiScope, to identify specific areas of opportunity and determine where demand for IoMT devices runs the highest.

Contact GHI to learn more about the rise of IoMT and cybersecurity across Latin America, and how you can adjust your company’s strategy to meet the changing healthcare landscape that will result. Our team of researchers can provide the analysis you need to gain valuable insights to support strategic decision-making in your industry.

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A Nation at the Brink: Venezuelan Sentiment in the Era of Delcy Rodríguez and the Looming 2026 Election

Guillaume Corpart — Tue, 12 May 2026 13:57:39 +0000

Guillaume Corpart

The Venezuelan political landscape is currently defined by profound instability and an overwhelming public rejection of the current administration. Following a controversial power shift that left Delcy Rodríguez temporarily in charge—notably with the endorsement of the Trump administration—public sentiment has plummeted to a critical low. A recent Meganálisis survey highlights this deep-seated crisis of confidence, revealing that 78% of Venezuelans consider the country’s situation under this administration to be explicitly “Bad”.

The Crisis of Governance and Economic Disillusionment

Financial pessimism currently dominates the national mood. If the current power structure remains in place, 83% of families anticipate that their economic situation will only worsen. This lack of faith permeates almost every facet of governance, reflected in a staggering 93% average disapproval rating across critical public services and infrastructure.

Interestingly, the gratitude citizens once held toward external political actors has eroded rapidly. Support for U.S. President Donald Trump has plummeted to 47%, down from 92% in January 2026 (a massive 45% cumulative decrease). Citizens primarily attribute this loss of trust to “discursive inconsistency”—specifically pointing to Trump’s praise of Delcy Rodríguez and the perceived normalization of the Chavismo political movement currently in power.

Healthcare: A Sector in Collapse

The devastating human cost of this political instability is nowhere more visible than in the healthcare sector. According to the April 2026 Meganálisis report, 87% of Venezuelans strongly disapprove of Rodríguez’s management of healthcare, specifically regarding hospital resources and staffing. Humanitarian reports from 2024 and 2025 corroborate this sentiment, depicting a system on the verge of total failure:

Infrastructure Failure: Over 80% of health centers are technically non-operational due to severe lacks in basic services and routine maintenance.
Resource Scarcity: An alarming 74% of patients must now supply their own essential medical materials—including medicines, gauze, and syringes—just to receive care.
Critical Services: Nationwide, a mere 7% of emergency services are considered fully functional, and just 40% of operating rooms are in working condition.
Epidemiological Risk: The collapse of vaccination and preventative care programs has triggered a resurgence of infectious diseases, including measles, dengue, and malaria.

Overall, the loss of public health services directly impacts more than 70% of the population. Consequently, over 150,000 pregnant women and 500,000 children are left entirely without access to primary medical care. The public recognizes that this healthcare emergency is inextricably linked to broader systemic failures, a reality evidenced by a 95.33% disapproval rating specifically in utility management and economics.

The Electoral Roadmap and Demand for Transition

Despite the prevailing pessimism, Venezuelans maintain a clear and urgent demand for a democratic resolution. Fully 87% of the population views a 2026 presidential election as the essential mechanism needed to resolve the national crisis. Furthermore, public focus has decisively shifted away from external intervention and toward internal leadership, with María Corina Machado (MCM) emerging as the dominant political figure. In an open race, she is currently polling as the undisputed leader with an estimated 71% of the vote.

The urgency of this transition cannot be overstated. A presidential election is prioritized over any other electoral event by 77% of citizens, with nearly 80% demanding it occur in the second half of 2026. For the majority of Venezuelans, a transition of power and the return of Machado are not just political aspirations; they are life-saving necessities for a nation whose basic services, particularly healthcare, simply cannot sustain the weight of the status quo.

Navigate the Shifting Landscape

Contact GHI to learn more about the constantly evolving political and economic situation in Venezuela, and how you can adjust your company’s strategy to meet the demands of this changing healthcare landscape. Our team of researchers can provide the critical analysis you need to gain valuable insights and support strategic decision-making in your industry.

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Webinar Replay: Market Opportunities, Trends, and MedTech Insights

Global Health Intelligence — Wed, 06 May 2026 11:52:52 +0000

Did you miss our live session with LatAmCham Singapore and Tech Brews? Watch the full replay to uncover the actionable strategies driving successful medical device expansions in Latin America.

Key topics covered:

Top trends and growth opportunities in the MedTech sector.
Practical advice on market entry, logistics, and go-to-market execution.
A breakdown of the LatAm regulatory landscape compared to international standards.

Ready to turn market complexity into your competitive advantage?

If you want to dive deeper into the topics discussed or explore how these trends impact your specific strategy, our team is here to help. Contact us to discover how our customized market intelligence can give your company the edge.

The Latin American Nearshoring Boom

Guillaume Corpart — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:02:22 +0000

Guillaume Corpart

As supply chains face continuing uncertainty worldwide, many Latin American countries are increasingly turning to nearshoring as a potential solution to fluctuating costs and procurement issues. Despite the short-term costs of investing in local manufacturing and transportation, the long-term advantages are more stability and lower overall costs from obtaining equipment and supplies from local suppliers rather than overseas.

The Supply Chain Paradigm Shift

The transition to nearshoring has long been discussed in medtech boardrooms and offices, but now it’s increasingly becoming a reality rather than just a theory. Latin America in particular offers several advantages as a nearshoring destination:

Lower transportation and labor costs. Having manufacturers and suppliers close by can lower the cost of transportation, while Latin American labor rates continue to remain competitive compared to other regions.
Easier communication and time zone alignment. English proficiency is high across Latin America for communication with customers, while being in the same time zone as North American companies makes real-time communication possible.
Skilled workforces. Latin America has highly skilled workforces in manufacturing, technology, and other key industries.
Reduced lead times. Closer suppliers mean that companies don’t have to provide as much advanced notice to get what they need.
Better trade agreements and local government support. Many Latin American governments are actively promoting nearshoring and creating amenable agreements to make it appealing to potential trade partners.

Put all these factors together, and it’s easy to see why Latin America is seeing a bit of a nearshoring boom. Add in the ongoing geopolitical tensions around the world, rising global shipping costs, and other supply chain vulnerabilities, and the possibilities of nearshoring have become even more appealing to regional medtech giants. [1]

Examples in Action

It’s easy to see how nearshoring is growing by looking around the region. In Mexico, for example, the government recently announced its framework for a 2027-2028 consolidated health sector tender, and companies that invest locally now have a major advantage in the tender procurement process. The upcoming tender will utilize a points-based evaluation system that rewards companies with a greater physical footprint in Mexico.

Points will be awarded for:

Manufacturing infrastructure: Companies with local production facilities or R&D labs will be awarded more points under the new system.
Strategic partnerships: Companies that collaborate with Birmex or Mexican universities for technology transfer are also eligible for points.
Job creation: Potential suppliers who show a demonstrable investment in the Mexican workforce will have an advantage. [2]

While a local factory is not a strict prerequisite for participation, it may serve as a tiebreaker among companies that offer similar products at a similar price. In a market where 65% of supplies are currently imported, the administration is using its purchasing power to encourage a nearshoring of the medical industry. [3]

The Rise of High-Tech Hubs

Another key development in Latin American nearshoring is the evolution of the region beyond basic medical supplies into high-tech production and manufacturing. This growth is being spurred by the development of “innovation hubs” around the region. These are areas where a focus is placed on the growth of technology, and they often attract the venture capital firms needed to fuel this growth.

For example, Mexico City is often referred to as the “Silicon Valley of Latin America.” With its proximity to the U.S., it serves as a vital dual-purpose hub for both exports and domestic supply.

Mexico is far from alone in its embrace of tech innovation. In Brazil, for example, the continued dominance of localized production has helped companies bypass heavy import taxes and capture the massive domestic market. Other regions that have notable tech startups and venture capital funding include Costa Rica, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Bogota, Santiago, and many other areas around Latin America.

The tech talent pool in these regions is large and growing, and they often offer cost savings over other regions, making them appealing destinations for tech companies and venture capital firms. In late 2023, the World Economic Forum declared that Latin America was “set to become a global powerhouse for innovation.” [4]

The Pricing War & Margin Squeeze

As nearshoring across Latin America continues to take hold and grow, it’s placing legitimate pressure on legacy companies to adapt or miss out on potential opportunities. As countries like Mexico begin to incentivize local investment as part of their tender procurement process, companies that rely solely on imports may find themselves losing long-held accounts to locally manufactured alternatives. [5]

When you consider the potential benefits that your company can gain from eliminating transatlantic shipping costs, avoiding import tariffs, and stepping away from unstable supply chains, it might be a trend worth considering for your own company’s manufacturing and transportation operations. [5]

Key Takeaways for Health Care Companies

As you can see, nearshoring in Latin America has evolved in recent years from theory to increasing reality. Companies that want to adapt their pricing and sales strategy to compete need to see what local competitors are doing in real time.

Global Health Intelligence provides the tools you need to stay at the cutting edge of industry trends. With PriceScope, for example, you can track actual transaction-level pricing within public institutions. This allows your sales reps to see exactly how your prices stack up against nearshoring competitors.

With BrandTrack, your company can do side-by-side competitive benchmarking. This enables your commercial team to track quarterly revenue shifts and protect your market share by identifying trends even before they become obvious to your competitors.

Next Steps

Contact GHI to learn more about the growing nearshoring trend across Latin America, and how you can adjust your company’s strategy to account for this changing landscape. Our team of researchers can provide the analysis you need to gain valuable insights to support strategic decision-making in your industry.

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