Until about 2010, population growth rates in the region exceeded world averages. However, they are now at 1.13% per year in 2010-2015, below world values (1.18%) and expected to continue diminishing to 0.72% by 2030. In the past, Central America has shown the highest population growth rates within this region and the Caribbean the smallest, situations likely to continue until 2030. The LAC Region has also evolved in economic and social terms. Life expectancy in the region is above world averages, is constantly increasing and is comparable to that of more developed regions of the world. LAC countries are classified as 'developing nations' except for Haiti, the only LAC country considered among the least developed countries of the world. The LAC region shows many advances in social and economic terms and has ample physical space and good environmental and social conditions to further develop its economy and the production of food. There is, however, a lot of ground to cover to reach more rewarding quality-of- life levels, comparable to those prevailing in North America and in other OECD nations.