In Mexico, 3.1 million people identify themselves as Afro-descendants, representing 2.4% of the country’s total population, according to the 2023 National Survey on Demographic Dynamics (ENADID), presented by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI). The median age of this group is 32 years, equal to the national average.
Guerrero has the largest proportion of the Afro-descendant population at 9.5%, followed by Morelos (4.9%), Colima and Quintana Roo (3.9% each), and Oaxaca (3.6%). Regarding mobility, 76.1% reside in the same state where they were born, while 22.6% live in another state in the country, reflecting a high level of attachment to their communities of origin.
Average Schooling
The average schooling for Afro-descendants aged 15 and over is 10.1 years completed, equivalent to high school. However, 32% of young people between the ages of 6 and 24 do not attend school, a percentage higher than the 29.6% of the total population. The illiteracy rate among those over 15 years of age is 4.8%, slightly above the national average; for women it is 5.7% and for men it is 3.8%.
In terms of fertility, Afro-descendant women aged 15 to 49 have an average of 1.5 live births, equivalent to the national average.
Labor Market Participation
Regarding labor market participation, 65.6% of Afro-descendants aged 12 and over are part of the economically active population. Of the total workforce, 98.8% are employed, primarily as employees or self-employed. These data show that, although the majority participate in the economy, educational gaps and illiteracy could limit their future career development.
The International Day of People of African Descent, declared by the United Nations and celebrated every August 31, seeks to recognize the cultural, social, and economic contributions of this group, as well as promote the eradication of discrimination against them. INEGI data demonstrate both the progress and the challenges faced by people of African descent in Mexico, especially in education and economic opportunities.
In the case of Chiapas, the results highlight that Afro-descendant women of reproductive age have an average of 2.3 live births, higher than the national average of 1.5. This indicator makes it the state with the highest number of births to people of African descent in our country.
Source: infobae
