Mexico has a population of over 113 million people as of 2011, with an average density of 823 people per square kilometer. Mexico City alone has a population of over 19 million, and has a density of nearly 6,000 people per square kilometer. The majority of Mexico's population is Mestizo, with Indigenous and Spanish ancestry. Literacy rates are around 86% of the population. Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion, practiced by 77% of Mexicans. The North American Free Trade Agreement has greatly impacted Mexico's economy by providing access to U.S. markets, though it also increased competition and tied development closely to international economic conditions.

1. Some Demographics…
Mexico

2. Population
• As of July 2011; the population of Mexico was:
113,724,226 people
• Average population density is 823.3 people per
sq. km.
• The Federal District (Mexico City) has a density
of 5,936.8 people per sq. km.

4. Mexico City
• Mexico City is the second-largest urban
agglomeration in the Western Hemisphere
•Mexico City, alone, has a population
of 19,319,000 people

5. Ethnicity
Majority of the
population (60%)
are of Mestizo
descent
(Amerindian-
Spanish mix)

6. Literacy
• 5.3 mil people in
Mexico are unable
to read and write.
• 86% can read and
write.
• 14 yrs of schooling
expected

7. Religion
• 77% Are of the Roman Catholic religious
beliefs
• 3% have no religion

8. Society
• Very Diverse. (From
Slums to the elite
neighborhoods)
• Large economic gap
• Much of the cultural
identities are regional,
closely tied to
indigenous people.
• Family remains central
to Mexican society.

9. Economy
• Read Economist
“Plunging Peso”

10. NAFTA
North American Free Trade Agreement
(U.S. Mexico and Canada)
• Implemented on Jan. 1, 1994
• By 2009 81% of Mexico’s exports are sent
to the U.S.
• Access to U.S. market is vital for Mexico’s
economy to flourish.

11. Cons of NAFTA
• Competition with U.S.
firms.
• Free trade represents a
loss of sovereignty
• Future development
closely tied to int’l
economic conditions.
• Globalization- When 2008
recession occurred US
brought Mexico down with
them.

12. Informal Sector
As Mexico’s economy grows many people
are being left behind.
Mexico developed a sizable Informal Sector:
• Employees work without benefits
• Outside of government control
– “Casual employees”
• Restaurants, hotels,
• street vendors, day laborers
• Growing Informal Sector

13. Parastatal Sector
• Government owned companies
• Prior to 1990 they were extremely large
and powerful.
• Began expanding (rapid growth) in the 70s
then started privatizing in the 80s
• Oil Company PEMEX Mexico’s oil

14. “War on Drugs”- Results
Upcoming elections 2012- Importance
“It’s Your problem now!”