Einar H. Dyvik
Research expert covering Nordics and global data for society, economy, and politics
Income and wealth in Mexico - Statistics & Facts
The minimum wages in Mexico have risen throughout the recent years, from 2024 to 2025, both official minimum wages increased by 12 percent. At the same time, some supplementary aids have proven beneficial, such as the Austerity initiative initiated in 2019, which aims to eradicate excessive compensations for government employees implicated in corruption allegations. Furthermore, there are 14 unrestricted international trade agreements in place, alongside a Free Zone along the Mexican border with the United States of America. This zone boasts the highest daily salary compared to the rest of federal entities. The primary objective behind this strategy is to stimulate commerce, international trade, tourism, and encourage people to stay in the country.
There is a polarized balance in the regional income distribution, experiencing higher wages in the northern states and lower wages in the South and Center regions, with the only exception of Mexico City. The number of children per household and the gender of the household head also play a significant role in income disparities. Women, especially those with four or more children, face additional challenges and tend to experience lower income levels and higher vulnerability rates. This trend of women earning less income can be observed constantly across various vulnerable groups and categories.
In summary, Mexico still needs to advance further against wealth and income inequality. Some areas, such as gender inequality and regional disparities, rank among the main problems to solve. Nonetheless, recent steps taken to reduce poverty and vulnerability seem to be a right step towards the equality goal.
Income inequality
Among the affected groups by income inequality, both the younger and older working populations experience wage gaps. While in occupational sectors, the agricultural field has the lowest monthly salaries among industries, while professions in the extractive and governmental sectors tend to be the highest paid. Moreover, there’s a clear correlation between the number of schooling years and the level of income in Mexico. As of 2024, the workers with over 18 years of education received a significantly higher average wage than those with less.There is a polarized balance in the regional income distribution, experiencing higher wages in the northern states and lower wages in the South and Center regions, with the only exception of Mexico City. The number of children per household and the gender of the household head also play a significant role in income disparities. Women, especially those with four or more children, face additional challenges and tend to experience lower income levels and higher vulnerability rates. This trend of women earning less income can be observed constantly across various vulnerable groups and categories.
Wealth distribution
Residing in Mexico is deemed magnificent, but only for those fortunate enough to belong to the top 10 percent of the population. The imbalance is striking, with only one percent of the population possessing 37 percent of the country's wealth, while the top 10 percent claims approximately 70 percent. In contrast, the lowest 50 percent of the population registered less than three percent. This alarming contrast has resulted in nearly 40 percent of Mexicans living in poverty, with indigenous communities and rural areas bearing the brunt of its impact. The ability to afford basic food necessities has been further inhibited in many ways, for example, inflation continues to rise and especially affects those in vulnerability conditions. This dire situation exacerbates challenges in acquiring suitable housing with essential amenities. Additionally, the pursuit of education is also impeded, as a growing number of young individuals are compelled to enter the workforce prematurely to sustain themselves and their families. Consequently, educational opportunities suffer. Furthermore, the portion of the population lacking access to public healthcare has surged, significantly diminishing the overall quality of life.In summary, Mexico still needs to advance further against wealth and income inequality. Some areas, such as gender inequality and regional disparities, rank among the main problems to solve. Nonetheless, recent steps taken to reduce poverty and vulnerability seem to be a right step towards the equality goal.
