OBJECTIVES Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the main causes of death worldwide. Using a multi-criteria analysis, this study aims to provide a ranking of Latin American countries from the most likely to develop NCDs to the least prone according to 2018 World Health Organization (WHO) database.

METHODS The PROMÉTHÉE II multi-criteria method was applied in order to establish the Latin American country ranking for NCDs risk factors. In this application, seven Latin American countries formed the set of alternatives. Nine attributes used by WHO (harmful use of alcohol; physical inactivity; salt/sodium intake; tobacco use; raised blood pressure; diabetes; obesity in adults; obesity in adolescents; and ambient air pollution) composed the set of criteria. Bolivia, Guyana, Peru and Venezuela did not make up the set of alternatives because they presented incomplete data in the studied criteria. Besides, PROMÉTHÉE II was used in order to classify the criteria as strong or weak points for each country when compared to the others in relation to NCDs development.

RESULTS The ranking established by PROMÉTHÉE II from the most likely to develop NCDs to the least prone was: Chile, Argentina, Suriname, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay and Ecuador. PROMÉTHÉE II classified the criteria as strong or weak points for each country. As weak points, Chile presented salt/sodium intake and physical inactivity; Argentina salt/sodium intake and ambient air pollution; Suriname salt/sodium intake and harmful use of alcohol. As strong points Brazil had physical inactivity, salt/sodium intake, raised blood pressure and harmful use of alcohol; Colombia had ambient air pollution, salt/sodium intake and physical inactivity; Paraguay had salt/sodium intake and raised blood pressure. Ecuador did not have strong points.

CONCLUSIONS PROMÉTHÉE II ranked Latin American countries considering different criteria in relation to NCDs risk factors, representing a useful tool to aid public health NCD's campaigns in Latin America.