A new report from the National Household Income and Expenditure Survey (ENIGH) reveals that the poorest incomes rose dramatically in Mexico. Families in the lowest decile saw their earnings increase by an average of 35.9 percent between 2018 and 2024. By contrast, the highest-earning decile registered just a 4.2 percent gain in the same period, underscoring a shift toward greater economic equity under the current administration.
President Claudia Sheinbaum presented the findings during her August 4 morning press conference, emphasizing that the policies aimed at vulnerable populations—such as expanded cash transfers and increased minimum wages—have delivered tangible results. “When those with the least gain more than those with the most, inequalities shrink,” she said, invoking the government’s guiding principle: “for the good of all, first the poor.”
Poorest incomes rise
The ENIGH data show that the average monthly income for the bottom 10 percent of households climbed from approximately 4,100 pesos in 2018 to 5,600 pesos in 2024. Meanwhile, the top 10 percent saw their incomes edge up from 75,600 pesos to 78,700 pesos, a marked disparity that illustrates how social programs are redesigning Mexico’s economic landscape.
Economists note that the significant boost for lower-income families stems largely from the doubling of the minimum wage and the rollout of targeted benefits, including the Pensión para el Bienestar, Becas Benito Juárez, and Jóvenes Construyendo el Futuro. These initiatives have injected purchasing power into communities long excluded from economic growth. According to the President, reducing the income gap was an explicit goal of her administration’s strategy to combat poverty and foster inclusive development.
Despite the overall improvement, regional disparities persist. Southern states such as Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Tabasco continue to lag behind northern and central regions. Sheinbaum acknowledged this reality, calling for enhanced infrastructure investment and expanded job training programs to ensure that all states benefit equally from economic advances.
Experts from INEGI point out that the Gini coefficient—a standard measure of income inequality—fell from 0.426 in 2018 to 0.391 in 2024, its lowest level in decades. This shift represents one of the most significant reductions in income concentration in modern Mexican history. However, they caution that sustaining progress will require ongoing commitment to policies that support low-income households.
Local community leaders welcome the news but stress the need for complementary measures. “Higher incomes help families put food on the table, but we also need better access to healthcare and education,” said María López, coordinator of a grassroots nonprofit in Veracruz. She added that targeted subsidies for rural health clinics and school infrastructure remain critical to closing social gaps.
Private-sector observers also applaud the trend. Business groups note that rising consumer spending among lower-income households can drive demand for goods and services, fueling broader economic growth. Carlos Martínez, an economist at the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness, remarked: “When the poorest see real income gains, the ripple effects include stronger domestic markets and more resilient local economies.”
As Mexico approaches the final year of this administration, policymakers will assess which programs most effectively contributed to the surge in the poorest incomes. Early indicators suggest that maintaining wage growth, reinforcing direct cash support, and expanding vocational training could consolidate the gains and push the country closer to long-term equity goals.
While the poorest incomes rise statistic is cause for optimism, the President and her cabinet recognize that true economic transformation depends on sustained effort. Future budgets will need to balance fiscal discipline with social investment, ensuring that the progress of 2018–2024 becomes the foundation for continued improvements in the lives of millions of Mexicans.
