The Education of Young People in Latin America: 
A Comparative Analysis

Yeran Leon Morejon; Leidianys de la Caridad Alvarez Riol

doi:doi:10.11648/j.frontiers.20260603.12

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The Education of Young People in Latin America: A Comparative Analysis

Yeran Leon Morejon^*

, Leidianys de la Caridad Alvarez Riol

Published in Frontiers (Volume 6, Issue 3)

Received: 2 June 2026 Accepted: 15 June 2026 Published: 29 September 2026

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Abstract

This article examines the education of young people in Latin America through a comparative analysis of educational systems, policies, and social realities across selected countries in the region. The study explores the main factors influencing youth education, including economic inequality, access to quality schooling, technological development, public investment, and cultural diversity. By comparing educational indicators such as enrollment rates, school completion, literacy levels, and access to higher education, the article identifies both progress and persistent challenges affecting young learners. The analysis highlights significant disparities between urban and rural areas, as well as among different socioeconomic groups, demonstrating how poverty and social exclusion continue to limit educational opportunities for many young people. At the same time, the article discusses innovative reforms and regional initiatives aimed at improving educational quality, digital inclusion, and equal access to learning resources. Special attention is given to the impact of globalization and technological change on educational practices and youth preparation for the labor market. The findings suggest that although many Latin American countries have expanded educational access over recent decades, structural inequalities remain a major obstacle to achieving inclusive and sustainable education. Characterization and comparison of policies and programs of such countries lead to the identification of common trends, exceptional cases and critical aspects.

Published in	Frontiers (Volume 6, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.frontiers.20260603.12
Page(s)	86-93
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Education, Young People, Latin America

References

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[2]	Bray, M., Adamson, B. and Mason, M. (eds.) (2007). Comparative Education Research: Approaches and Methods. Hong Kong: The University of Hong Kong. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-05594-7
[3]	García Márquez, G. (2002). Living to Tell the Tale. Colombia: Diana.
[4]	García Cueto, L., Mena Galvez, J., Pérez Rivera, M., & León Morejón, Y. (2025). Educational strategy to develop the singing voice in five-year-old children. Revista Estudios En Educación, 8(14), 154-170. http://ojs.umc.cl/index.php/estudioseneducacion/article/view/433
[5]	Marshall, J. (2014). Introduction to Comparative and International Education. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data. https://collegepublishing.sagepub.com/products/introduction-to-comparative-and-international-education-3-280997
[6]	León Morejón, Y. (2026). Ethical use of artificial intelligence in education. 3C TIC, Cuadernos de desarrollo aplicados a las TIC, 48(1), 64-77. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18166923
[7]	León Morejón, Y., Maia, F., & Alvarez Riol, L. de la C. (2025). Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Self-Regulated Learning of Programming. Mendive. Revista De Educación, 23(2), e4002. https://mendive.upr.edu.cu/index.php/MendiveUPR/article/view/4002
[8]	León Morejón, Y. (2023). Competencies of a 21st-Century Education Professional. Generis Publishing. ISBN: 979-8-88676-865-7. https://rc.upr.edu.cu/handle/DICT/4023
[9]	León Morejón, Y. et al. (2022). Elements of psycho-pedagogy and didactics in teacher trainning. Our Knowledge Publishing. ISBN: 978-620-4-50506-0. https://www.amazon.ca/ELEMENTS-PSYCHO-PEDAGOGY-DIDACTICS-TEACHER-TRAINING/dp/6204505068
[10]	León Morejón, Y. (2021). Professional skills training in collaborative learning. Our Knowledge Publishing. ISBN: 978-620-3-78141-0. https://www.amazon.com/Professional-skills-training-collaborative-learning/dp/620378141X
[11]	Roncal Vattuone, X. (20017). Comparative analysis of the Educational Systems of Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua and Venezuela. Integra Educativa Vol. VII / Nº 1.
[12]	Sweeting, A. (2007). Comparing Times. In M. Bray et al. (eds.) Comparative Education Research: Approaches and Methods. (pp. 145-163). Springer.
[13]	Torres Fernández, P. (2016). The Ibero-American Study on School Efficiency. http://www.rinace.net/reice/numeros/arts/vol6num4/art5.pdf
[14]	UNESCO (1999). Profiles of national reports of education systems. www.ibe.unesco.org
[15]	Galván José, E. (2025). Vocational education and youth employment in Latin America: structural inequalities, gender, and intersectionality. Journal of Gender, Diversity & Society, 3(2), 6-28. https://doi.org/10.69821/JoGEDIS.v3i2.130
[16]	Arias Ortiz, E., Bos, M. S., Chen Peraza, J., Giambruno, C., Levin, V., Oubiña, V., Pineda, J. A. y Zoido, P. (2024). Learning cannot wait: Lessons for Latin America and the Caribbean from PISA 2022. Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo y Banco Mundial. https://doi.org/10.18235/0005671
[17]	OCDE. (2023). PISA 2022 Results (Volume I): The State of Learning and Equity in Education. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/53f23881-en
[18]	Montoya, S. (2023). Reporting learning outcomes in basic education: Country’s options for indicator 4.1. 1. UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Montreal, Canada. https://tcg.uis.unesco.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/08/Countrys-reporting-option-_Zambia_AAEA.Final_.pdf

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Morejon, Y. L., Riol, L. D. L. C. A. (2026). The Education of Young People in Latin America: A Comparative Analysis. Frontiers, 6(3), 86-93. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.frontiers.20260603.12

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ACS Style

Morejon, Y. L.; Riol, L. D. L. C. A. The Education of Young People in Latin America: A Comparative Analysis. Frontiers. 2026, 6(3), 86-93. doi: 10.11648/j.frontiers.20260603.12

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AMA Style

Morejon YL, Riol LDLCA. The Education of Young People in Latin America: A Comparative Analysis. Frontiers. 2026;6(3):86-93. doi: 10.11648/j.frontiers.20260603.12

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@article{10.11648/j.frontiers.20260603.12,
  author = {Yeran Leon Morejon and Leidianys de la Caridad Alvarez Riol},
  title = {The Education of Young People in Latin America: 
A Comparative Analysis},
  journal = {Frontiers},
  volume = {6},
  number = {3},
  pages = {86-93},
  doi = {10.11648/j.frontiers.20260603.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.frontiers.20260603.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.frontiers.20260603.12},
  abstract = {This article examines the education of young people in Latin America through a comparative analysis of educational systems, policies, and social realities across selected countries in the region. The study explores the main factors influencing youth education, including economic inequality, access to quality schooling, technological development, public investment, and cultural diversity. By comparing educational indicators such as enrollment rates, school completion, literacy levels, and access to higher education, the article identifies both progress and persistent challenges affecting young learners. The analysis highlights significant disparities between urban and rural areas, as well as among different socioeconomic groups, demonstrating how poverty and social exclusion continue to limit educational opportunities for many young people. At the same time, the article discusses innovative reforms and regional initiatives aimed at improving educational quality, digital inclusion, and equal access to learning resources. Special attention is given to the impact of globalization and technological change on educational practices and youth preparation for the labor market. The findings suggest that although many Latin American countries have expanded educational access over recent decades, structural inequalities remain a major obstacle to achieving inclusive and sustainable education. Characterization and comparison of policies and programs of such countries lead to the identification of common trends, exceptional cases and critical aspects.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Education of Young People in Latin America: 
A Comparative Analysis
AU  - Yeran Leon Morejon
AU  - Leidianys de la Caridad Alvarez Riol
Y1  - 2026/09/29
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.frontiers.20260603.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.frontiers.20260603.12
T2  - Frontiers
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SP  - 86
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AB  - This article examines the education of young people in Latin America through a comparative analysis of educational systems, policies, and social realities across selected countries in the region. The study explores the main factors influencing youth education, including economic inequality, access to quality schooling, technological development, public investment, and cultural diversity. By comparing educational indicators such as enrollment rates, school completion, literacy levels, and access to higher education, the article identifies both progress and persistent challenges affecting young learners. The analysis highlights significant disparities between urban and rural areas, as well as among different socioeconomic groups, demonstrating how poverty and social exclusion continue to limit educational opportunities for many young people. At the same time, the article discusses innovative reforms and regional initiatives aimed at improving educational quality, digital inclusion, and equal access to learning resources. Special attention is given to the impact of globalization and technological change on educational practices and youth preparation for the labor market. The findings suggest that although many Latin American countries have expanded educational access over recent decades, structural inequalities remain a major obstacle to achieving inclusive and sustainable education. Characterization and comparison of policies and programs of such countries lead to the identification of common trends, exceptional cases and critical aspects.
VL  - 6
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Author Information

Yeran Leon Morejon

Department of Undergraduate Professional Training, University of Pinar del Río, Pinar del Río, Cuba

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5676-1496
Leidianys de la Caridad Alvarez Riol

Department of Pedagogy-Psychology, University of Pinar del Río, Pinar del Río, Cuba

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0000-2186-6434

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Morejon, Y. L., Riol, L. D. L. C. A. (2026). The Education of Young People in Latin America: A Comparative Analysis. Frontiers, 6(3), 86-93. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.frontiers.20260603.12

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ACS Style

Morejon, Y. L.; Riol, L. D. L. C. A. The Education of Young People in Latin America: A Comparative Analysis. Frontiers. 2026, 6(3), 86-93. doi: 10.11648/j.frontiers.20260603.12

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AMA Style

Morejon YL, Riol LDLCA. The Education of Young People in Latin America: A Comparative Analysis. Frontiers. 2026;6(3):86-93. doi: 10.11648/j.frontiers.20260603.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.frontiers.20260603.12,
  author = {Yeran Leon Morejon and Leidianys de la Caridad Alvarez Riol},
  title = {The Education of Young People in Latin America: 
A Comparative Analysis},
  journal = {Frontiers},
  volume = {6},
  number = {3},
  pages = {86-93},
  doi = {10.11648/j.frontiers.20260603.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.frontiers.20260603.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.frontiers.20260603.12},
  abstract = {This article examines the education of young people in Latin America through a comparative analysis of educational systems, policies, and social realities across selected countries in the region. The study explores the main factors influencing youth education, including economic inequality, access to quality schooling, technological development, public investment, and cultural diversity. By comparing educational indicators such as enrollment rates, school completion, literacy levels, and access to higher education, the article identifies both progress and persistent challenges affecting young learners. The analysis highlights significant disparities between urban and rural areas, as well as among different socioeconomic groups, demonstrating how poverty and social exclusion continue to limit educational opportunities for many young people. At the same time, the article discusses innovative reforms and regional initiatives aimed at improving educational quality, digital inclusion, and equal access to learning resources. Special attention is given to the impact of globalization and technological change on educational practices and youth preparation for the labor market. The findings suggest that although many Latin American countries have expanded educational access over recent decades, structural inequalities remain a major obstacle to achieving inclusive and sustainable education. Characterization and comparison of policies and programs of such countries lead to the identification of common trends, exceptional cases and critical aspects.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Education of Young People in Latin America: 
A Comparative Analysis
AU  - Yeran Leon Morejon
AU  - Leidianys de la Caridad Alvarez Riol
Y1  - 2026/09/29
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.frontiers.20260603.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.frontiers.20260603.12
T2  - Frontiers
JF  - Frontiers
JO  - Frontiers
SP  - 86
EP  - 93
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2994-7197
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.frontiers.20260603.12
AB  - This article examines the education of young people in Latin America through a comparative analysis of educational systems, policies, and social realities across selected countries in the region. The study explores the main factors influencing youth education, including economic inequality, access to quality schooling, technological development, public investment, and cultural diversity. By comparing educational indicators such as enrollment rates, school completion, literacy levels, and access to higher education, the article identifies both progress and persistent challenges affecting young learners. The analysis highlights significant disparities between urban and rural areas, as well as among different socioeconomic groups, demonstrating how poverty and social exclusion continue to limit educational opportunities for many young people. At the same time, the article discusses innovative reforms and regional initiatives aimed at improving educational quality, digital inclusion, and equal access to learning resources. Special attention is given to the impact of globalization and technological change on educational practices and youth preparation for the labor market. The findings suggest that although many Latin American countries have expanded educational access over recent decades, structural inequalities remain a major obstacle to achieving inclusive and sustainable education. Characterization and comparison of policies and programs of such countries lead to the identification of common trends, exceptional cases and critical aspects.
VL  - 6
IS  - 3
ER  -

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