Poverty in Mexico : An Assessment of Conditions, Trends, and Government Strategy
This report presents the results of an assessment of poverty conditions in Mexico, and the Government strategies to reduce poverty. It constitutes the first phase of a longer-term work program on poverty reduction in Mexico, that the Bank is undertaking, in collaboration with the Government during the period 2003-2006. The current situation in the country is mixed, with respect to poverty. In terms of well-being, Mexico has experienced major progress in some dimensions - notably related to basic service access - but much weaker progress on others - notably on the income of the poor. Despite the gains between 1996 and 2002,and in particular, for the extreme poor, poverty remains widespread, and is only slightly below the levels prevailing before the 1994195 crisis. The report relates to government strategy, and its strengths. The CONTIGO framework is excellent as a conceptual framework, especially in its attempt to integrate the multiple dimensions of well-being, and public action into a life-cycle approach. There are notable successes in specific programs -with "Oportunidades" (i.e., "Opportunities") unusual in its combination of highly effective targeting, and broad reach amongst the extreme poor. The emphasis on evaluation is commendable, while the recent introduction of the Ley de Desarrollo Social (Social Development Law) is a potentially valuable attempt to institutionalize the social development strategy, and in particular, provide more continuity across government administrations. But challenges still remain. The quality of services is a major issue in many sectors, for although social policies for the extreme poor are well developed, policies for their income growth are not. There is a broader pending agenda for the moderate poor, especially with respect to improving the productivity of the self-employed, and informal enterprises. Most of the extreme and moderate poor fall outside the formal social protection system, and face significant risks, i.e., health, unemployment or lack of income in old age. And there are a wide range of institutional issues to be tackled - from strengthening accountability, especially under decentralized structures, to social incorporation of excluded groups - as well as linking of rigorous evaluation to results-based management. Section A of the report discusses poverty conditions, Section B reviews government strategy, and, Section C provides brief concluding comments on public action, and future analysis.
| Summary: | This report presents the results of an
assessment of poverty conditions in Mexico, and the
Government strategies to reduce poverty. It constitutes the
first phase of a longer-term work program on poverty
reduction in Mexico, that the Bank is undertaking, in
collaboration with the Government during the period
2003-2006. The current situation in the country is mixed,
with respect to poverty. In terms of well-being, Mexico has
experienced major progress in some dimensions - notably
related to basic service access - but much weaker progress
on others - notably on the income of the poor. Despite the
gains between 1996 and 2002,and in particular, for the
extreme poor, poverty remains widespread, and is only
slightly below the levels prevailing before the 1994195
crisis. The report relates to government strategy, and its
strengths. The CONTIGO framework is excellent as a
conceptual framework, especially in its attempt to integrate
the multiple dimensions of well-being, and public action
into a life-cycle approach. There are notable successes in
specific programs -with "Oportunidades" (i.e.,
"Opportunities") unusual in its combination of
highly effective targeting, and broad reach amongst the
extreme poor. The emphasis on evaluation is commendable,
while the recent introduction of the Ley de Desarrollo
Social (Social Development Law) is a potentially valuable
attempt to institutionalize the social development strategy,
and in particular, provide more continuity across government
administrations. But challenges still remain. The quality of
services is a major issue in many sectors, for although
social policies for the extreme poor are well developed,
policies for their income growth are not. There is a broader
pending agenda for the moderate poor, especially with
respect to improving the productivity of the self-employed,
and informal enterprises. Most of the extreme and moderate
poor fall outside the formal social protection system, and
face significant risks, i.e., health, unemployment or lack
of income in old age. And there are a wide range of
institutional issues to be tackled - from strengthening
accountability, especially under decentralized structures,
to social incorporation of excluded groups - as well as
linking of rigorous evaluation to results-based management.
Section A of the report discusses poverty conditions,
Section B reviews government strategy, and, Section C
provides brief concluding comments on public action, and
future analysis. |
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