Although there have been important achievements in recent years, such as the increase in the minimum wage and the decrease in poverty levels, social inequality remains a considerable challenge in Mexico. A large majority of the population still belongs to the lower class, with significantly lower incomes compared to other social segments.
According to figures from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), 56.6% of Mexicans are part of the lower class, while 42.2% are in the middle class. On the other hand, the upper class represents only 1.2% of the population, standing out as the smallest group.
INEGI classifies the Mexican population into three main social groups:
Lower class: Includes 56.6% of the population. This sector faces more precarious conditions, limited income and fewer opportunities in areas such as education, health and employment.
Middle class: Represents 42.2% of citizens. People in this category have moderate incomes, more stable access to basic services and greater economic stability.
Upper class: Only 1.2% belong to this segment, characterized by high income, access to luxury services, and a life with greater educational and employment opportunities.
Income distribution according to AMAI
The Mexican Association of Market Research and Public Opinion Agencies (AMAI) provides a more detailed breakdown of average monthly income in relation to these categories:
Upper class: More than 100 thousand pesos per month.
Upper middle class: Between 45 thousand and 50 thousand pesos.
Middle class: Between 30 thousand and 40 thousand pesos.
Lower middle class: Between 9 thousand and 18 thousand pesos.
Upper lower class: Between 4 thousand 500 and 9 thousand pesos.
Lower class: Less than 4 thousand pesos.
These figures reflect the marked differences in income, access to services, and development opportunities that exist between the different social sectors in the country.
Poverty reduction
Despite persistent inequalities, recent data show progress in the fight against poverty. According to the National Council for the Evaluation of Social Development Policy (Coneval), the percentage of the population living in poverty decreased from 37.7% to 35.8% between the first quarter of 2023 and the same period in 2024.
This progress is attributed to various factors, including the increase in the number of employed people, which increased by 628,800 workers, and the growth of real per capita labor income by 7.2%. These improvements have allowed more households to cover the basic food basket, a key indicator for measuring poverty in the country.
Although these advances are encouraging, the wide gap between social classes shows that economic development has not been equitable. Mexico faces the challenge of implementing policies that promote social mobility and reduce structural inequality, allowing more people to have access to better living conditions.
Source: informador
