The evolution of specific welfare-related indicators for these indigenous populations during the last decade is the theme of this important book. The study declares to have four guiding questions,
to wit:

1. Have income poverty rates increased or decreased among Indigenous Peoples over the past decade, and what are the main determinants of observed trends?, How does this evolution compare to changes observed in poverty rates for the rest of the population?

2. Have the main human capital indicators (education and health outcomes) improved over this period for indigenous and non-indigenous groups? What factors explain those trends?

3. How do returns to human capital have changed for indigenous and non-indigenous people? What explains differences in labor market earnings?

4. How does access to major social and poverty reduction programs differ between indigenous and non-indigenous people?

The study explores the existing evidence in Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico and Peru, countries that represent the largest share of indigenous population in the region. All four questions aboye look at "relative" evolution of specific indicators in order to identify gaps or differential trends between indigenous and non-indigenous populations.