Poverty in Mexico – 10 Facts You Should Know
Even though much of Latin America has been able to significantly reduce poverty, the country of Mexico still struggles. Below are the leading facts about poverty in Mexico. Education about the problem of poverty in Mexico is crucial and will help us remedy the situation.
Top Facts about Poverty in Mexico
- Around half of the population lives in poverty; about 10 percent of people live in extreme poverty.
- The number of people in poverty has mainly been increasing since 2006, when 42.9 percent of people were below the national poverty line.
- Chiapas, Guerrero and Puebla are the states with the highest levels of poverty.
- Mexico has a sizable GDP of about $1.283 trillion. Even so, Mexico’s GDP per capita or per person is $14,000. This means that there is a sizable wealth gap in the country between rich and poor.
- More than 20 million children live in poverty with more than five million living in extreme poverty, according to Fusion, the United Nations Children’s Fund.
- About 25 million Mexicans make less than $14 a day and a quarter of the workforce is underemployed.
- The average salary in rural areas is 3 to 4 times less than that of urban areas in Mexico.
- Economic growth is commonly believed to decrease poverty. Mexico’s annual growth rate is somewhat small, around two to three percent. Additionally, this economic growth has mainly benefitted the rich.
- Drug wars are thought to perpetuate poverty in Mexico.
- Despite all of this, Mexico has decreased extreme poverty in the country by 20 to 25 percent since 1995. This is mainly because of social welfare programs that were enacted during economic crises.
Even though poverty in Mexico is a sizable issue, there are certain steps the country can take to help those in poverty. Mexico can focus on decreasing the wealth gap and ensuring that economic growth benefits the poor. Additionally, Mexico can take steps to prosecute drug cartels. This may be easier said than done, but with these things in mind, Mexico can decrease poverty in the country.
– Ella Cady
Sources: World Bank, Huffington Post, IB Times, Poverties.org
Photo: PV
