The social situation of Latin America and the Caribbean in 2008 is basically marked by two characteristics：the momentum of continuous improvement of social indicators was maintained though at decelerated paces while indicators of a few items deteriorated and embarrassed the trend of continuing improvement；the basis for social stability remained weak as social conflicts，a reflection of the complex and profound social contradictions and a long term factor which affects the social stability and development of the region given their persistence although they appeared less drastic than before. Violent crimes and the consequent deterioration of public security，rising grain prices and its impacts on low income population，climate change and natural disasters related to climate change as well as their damaging consequences became 3 topics which gathered extensive attention and concern across the region’s social agendas. In short，attention of national governments of the region and of the international community is focused on how to take active steps to effectively make use of the relatively comfortable social and economic conditions created by the continuous economic growth during the past few years and to figure out counter-cyclical economic and social policies so as to systematically combine the efforts of coping with the challenges posed by the current financial crisis with the pursuit of long-term social development goals. For 2009，handling the pressure of increasing unemployment and poverty reduction will challenge social policies of all countries in the region.