The focus of this review will center on the Epidemiology of affective disorders in Latin America. The prevalence seems to be very similar in the general population. Argentina reports 12%, Chile 15.3%, Dominican Republic 9.8% and Peru 11%. In non-psychiatric outpatient program, the prevalence is 53% in Costa Rica, 40% in Cuba, 39% in Dominican Republic and 19% in Mexico. Women outnumber men in all samples. There are reports of higher prevalence in special groups: Mariategui found 25% in Lima and Vega 26% in Mexico. It is suggested that the Latin American Socio-Economic situation may be an important determinant of these high rates.