Mexico is not a poor country, but rather a nation with a significant number of people living in poverty. This paradox defines the country’s present reality, where wealth and hardship exist side by side.
Contrasting Realities
Mexico’s story is one of extremes. On one side, there are regions like Chiapas, Guerrero, and Oaxaca, where deep-rooted poverty and inequality persist, echoing the conditions that existed over a century ago before the Mexican Revolution. In these areas, about 70% of the population lives in poverty, struggling to survive on informal jobs and unstable incomes.
Meanwhile, Mexico also boasts modern industrial hubs and advanced manufacturing centers that export goods globally. This sector positions the country among the 15th richest economies in the world, showcasing a stark contrast to the poverty found in its rural regions.
A Nation Divided
Over 53 million Mexicans face the daily challenge of poverty, yet in the same country, there are 500,000 individuals who earn over ten times the minimum wage. The disparity is striking: while millions struggle to put food on the table, a small percentage of the population enjoys a life of comfort and security.
The Roots of Inequality
These contradictions stem from an economic model that has prioritized liberalization over welfare since the late 1980s. The switch from a welfare state to an entirely free-market approach only widened the gaps between rich and poor. For over 50 years, a corporatist state focused more on preserving its power than on addressing the needs of its people.
This economic polarization failed to provide a stable foundation, instead deepening the divide and eroding the social fabric of the nation. The absence of effective economic policies and mechanisms for dialogue has left Mexico teetering on the brink of social instability.
A Threat to Social Stability
Today, the lack of unity and solidarity threatens the future of the Mexican state. The government’s inability to respond effectively to crises, such as natural disasters, has often left ordinary citizens, businesses, and communities to step in and support one another.
In the 1970s, Mexico’s economy was thriving, with growth rates exceeding 6% annually and inflation remaining under 2.5%. By the 1980s, Mexico had become the world’s eighth largest economy. The country was once a beacon of economic stability and productivity, but the gains of that era now seem like a distant memory.
As economist José Luis De La Cruz wrote in El Sol de México in 2017, these unresolved contradictions risk turning Mexico into a bankrupt state—a fate its people certainly do not deserve.
A Call for Change
The time has come to bridge the gap between the two Mexicos. The solutions lie not just in economic reforms but in restoring the bonds of solidarity and brotherhood that once held the nation together. Only then can Mexico truly become a place where progress benefits everyone, not just a privileged few.