According to the recently published Economic Survey of Mexico 2017 by OECD, it is observed that growth is strong in Mexico but disparities persist across Mexico; productivity is picking up thanks to the structure reform; however inequality and gender gaps remain high.
Ambitious structural reforms and sound macroeconomic policies have ensured the resilience of the highly-open Mexican economy in the face of challenging global conditions. Yet, growth has not been inclusive enough to achieve
better living conditions for many Mexican families. Disparities between a highly productive modern economy in the North and in the Centre and a lower-productivity traditional economy in the South, have increased. Mexico can reignite growth by reprioritising its public spending towards infrastructure, training, health, and poverty reduction.
Mexico’s productivity growth has recently picked up in sectors that benefitted from structural reforms – energy (electricity, oil and gas), financial, and telecom sectors. Trade openness, foreign direct investment, integration
into global value chains, and innovation incentives have boosted exports, notably of autos. Yet other sectors lag behind, suffering from overly stringent local regulations, weak legal institutions, rooted informality, corruption and
insufficient financial development. Further reform is essential to address these problems.
Income remains highly concentrated, many families live in poverty, insecurity is high and children’s opportunities to do better than their parents could be improved. Past policies have begun to correct these trends. But more needs to
be done, especially for women, who suffer from many types of discrimination. For mothers of
young children, participating in the labour market is a challenge, reflecting insufficient provision of
affordable and quality childcare. Business practices could also foster inclusiveness and be more responsible towards women, the disabled and other groups that suffer discrimination.
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