Mexico's welfare policies helped 13.4M people out of poverty
5 days ago
- #Poverty Reduction
- #Mexico
- #Social Welfare
- Gloria Palacios, 84, runs a small sidewalk shop in Mexico City, making around 100 pesos ($5) a day.
- Her family survives on a bimonthly government transfer of 6,200 pesos ($330) for seniors, a policy by former president López Obrador (Amlo).
- Under Amlo's presidency (2018-2024), poverty in Mexico dropped by 13.4 million people (26%), and extreme poverty decreased from 9 million to 7 million.
- Amlo tripled the minimum wage from 88.40 pesos ($4.75) to 278.80 pesos ($15) per day, boosting incomes across the economy.
- His welfare reforms included cash transfers for seniors, apprentices, and farmers, but critics argue they lacked targeting for the poorest.
- Despite poverty reduction, healthcare access worsened, with 44 million Mexicans lacking health services in 2024 (up from 20.1 million in 2018).
- Claudia Sheinbaum, Amlo's successor, acknowledged progress but emphasized the need to further reduce poverty (30% of Mexicans still live in poverty).