Fuentes de ventaja comparativa y complejidad económica en Latinoamérica: caso Bras

Abstract

Abstract:In this research paper, I analyze the sources of comparative advantage and economic complexity in Latin America, focusing exclusively on the case of Brazil. Throughout the research, I learned about different theories of international trade, from the theories of classical economists Adam Smith and David Ricardo to contemporary models such as Porter, Krugman, and the Heckscher-Ohlin model. This allowed me to understand how the relative endowment of factors such as capital and labor influences the timing of exports and their competitiveness in the international market. The research country, Brazil, showed that its advantage is based largely on natural resources and labor, which limits its insertion in more complex sectors. Using a log-log econometric model, I observed how variables such as education, occupation, and illiteracy levels affect GDP per capita, demonstrating how much Brazil depends on human capital for its development and economic growth. I conclude that for Brazil to advance in economic complexity and achieve sustainable development over time, it is necessary to invest in technology, science, and, above all, in public policies that improve the education of its vast human capital: people.