Recently I wrote a very popular post on Brazil--ABDI Presentation on the Future of Brazil--that discussed a government presentation on the competitiveness of Brazil. A friend sent me some similar statistics on Mexico.
Based on statistics from the International Monetary Fund:
- Mexico is the 14th largest economy in the world and the 2nd largest in Latin America
- Mexico is the 11th most populous country with 107.6 million inhabitants
- Mexico had per capita income of US$ 8,096 in 2009
The Secretaria de Desarollo Social, a minister level position responsible for social development in Mexico, provides the following statistics:
- 54% of Mexicans live in poverty
- 24% earn less than US$ 2 per day
- The poor are highly concentrated in the indigenous populations and the states where they live
The middle class in Brazil is roughly the same percentage as the poor in Mexico. Herein lies the problem for Mexico, for its people and its economic competitiveness. A large middle class is required to truly build a modern country.
Some additional statistics on poverty and social issues in Mexico are here. (Spanish)
Image credit: Wikipedia
