The Boom of the Mexican State

In 2010, contrary to all predictions, the Mexican economy grew by 5.5% — the fastest rate in a decade and well above the usual growth rates.

In the U.S., sociologists are puzzled over the paradox of falling crime rates in an era of high unemployment and economic uncertainty. The Mexican paradox appears to be the reverse.

These are a few of the positive data points for Mexico:

1) The Mexican peso grew stronger against the dollar.

2) The Mexican inflation rate was essentially flat.

3) Foreign reserves in Mexico grew to $113 billion.

4) 22 million tourists visited the country.

5) Trade with the U.S. reached all-time highs of almost $400 billion.

6) The maquiladora industries added some 20,000 jobs in Ciudad Juarez.

7) The percentage of the population living below the poverty line declined to 47.4% in 2008 (the last year for which the World Bank has data) from 63.7% a decade earlier.

8) Literacy rates started to surpass the 90th percentile.

9) Life expectancy continues to rise to near-First World levels.

10) Foreign investment in Mexico keeps growing to surpass each previous year's level and is expected to reach high growth rates in the future.


Source: The WSJ online