Mexico fears pandemic pushing millions into poverty

The economic fallout from coronavirus could add nine million people to Mexico’s poor, according to a government study released on Monday calling for aid like pensions and insurance in the country that provides no federal jobless benefits.

Increased hardship could translate to at least 70 million Mexicans, 56% of the country, not earning enough to cover basic needs, said CONEVAL, the autonomous public agency that measures poverty.

That would be an increase from about 50% in 2018.

Mexico’s overall poverty rate, a different measure that includes income and factors like education . . .