World Happiness Report for Mexico 2024
- Overall Happiness Rank Mexico: 25
- Happiness Score Mexico:6.678
Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.
What is the Happiness Index?
The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.
How is the Happiness Index Calculated?
The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.
In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:
- GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
- Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
- Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
- Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
- Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
- Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.
These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.
What Does the Happiness Index Affect?
The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:
- Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
- Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
- Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
- Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.
By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.
Short information
- Abbreviation of Mexico. MX.
Mexico is a country with a federal presidential representative democratic republic. It is known for its rich cultural heritage, including traditional music, dance, and cuisine. Mexico also has a significant impact on the global economy, particularly in the areas of manufacturing and tourism.
- Mexico is home to the world’s largest pyramid, the Great Pyramid of Cholula.
- The country is famous for its vibrant celebrations, including Day of the Dead and Cinco de Mayo.
- Mexico is one of the top producers of silver in the world.
Mexico – Overview
Early History
Mexico’s history traces back to the ancient civilizations that flourished in the region, including the Olmecs, Mayans, and Aztecs. The Olmecs, one of the earliest civilizations in Mesoamerica, thrived in the present-day states of Veracruz and Tabasco from around 1500 BCE to 400 BCE. The Maya civilization, known for its advanced writing system, architecture, and astronomical knowledge, dominated the Yucatan Peninsula and parts of modern-day Guatemala, Belize, and western Honduras from around 250 CE to 900 CE. The Aztec Empire, based in Tenochtitlan (modern-day Mexico City), rose to prominence in the 14th century and controlled a vast territory through military conquest and an efficient system of tribute collection.
Kingdoms and Empires
Before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, various indigenous kingdoms and empires ruled over different regions of present-day Mexico. The Toltec Empire, centered in Tula, Hidalgo, flourished from the 10th to the 12th century. The Aztec Empire, which emerged in the 14th century, was a dominant force in the region until the arrival of the Spanish in the early 16th century.
Colonial Period
In 1519, Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés arrived in Mexico, leading to the eventual subjugation of the Aztec Empire and the establishment of New Spain, a colonial territory of the Spanish Empire. The colonial period, which lasted from 1521 to 1821, saw the imposition of Spanish culture, religion, and governance, as well as the exploitation of indigenous labor and resources.
Independence and Modern Era
Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821 after a prolonged struggle led by Father Miguel Hidalgo and José María Morelos. The country endured several internal conflicts, including the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), which resulted in the loss of a significant portion of its territory to the United States. The Mexican Revolution (1910-1920) marked a pivotal moment, leading to major social, political, and economic reforms. In the modern era, Mexico has faced challenges such as political instability, economic crises, and drug-related violence, but has also achieved significant economic growth and strengthened its democratic institutions.
Current Political Situation
Mexico is a federal presidential constitutional republic, with a multi-party system. The current president is Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who took office in 2018. The country has a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.
International Relations
Mexico maintains close economic and cultural ties with the United States and Canada through the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). It has also strengthened its relationships with Latin American countries and actively participates in international organizations such as the United Nations, the G20, and the Organization of American States.
Human Development and Economy
Mexico has a mixed economy, with a strong focus on the manufacturing, oil and gas, and tourism industries. The country has made significant strides in reducing poverty and improving human development indicators, but income inequality and social disparities remain challenges.
Cultural Highlights
Mexico boasts a rich cultural heritage that blends indigenous and Spanish influences. The country is renowned for its vibrant arts, music, cuisine, and traditions. Prominent cultural elements include the Day of the Dead celebrations, mariachi music, and the ancient ruins of Mayan and Aztec civilizations.
Challenges and Opportunities
Some of the key challenges facing Mexico include addressing corruption, reducing poverty and inequality, improving education and healthcare systems, and combating drug-related violence and organized crime. Opportunities lie in leveraging its strategic location, abundant natural resources, and a skilled workforce to promote economic diversification, attract foreign investment, and foster sustainable development.
Main facts
1. Location
Mexico is a country located in the southern portion of North America. It borders the United States to the north, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea to the east, Belize and Guatemala to the southeast, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south. Mexico is situated on a land bridge connecting North and South America, with diverse landscapes ranging from rugged mountain ranges to coastal areas and deserts.
2. Map References
Mexico is part of the North American continent and is located within the region known as Middle America or Mesoamerica.
3. Area – Comparative
With a total area of approximately 1,964,375 square kilometers (758,449 square miles), Mexico is slightly less than three times the size of the state of Texas in the United States.
4. Land Boundaries and Border Countries
Mexico has a total land boundary length of approximately 4,389 kilometers (2,728 miles). It shares borders with the following countries:
- United States – 3,145 km (1,954 miles)
- Guatemala – 962 km (598 miles)
- Belize – 193 km (120 miles)
5. Coastline (if applicable)
Mexico has a coastline of approximately 9,330 kilometers (5,797 miles), stretching along the Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea. Notable coastal features include the Baja California Peninsula and the Gulf of California.
6. Maritime Claims
Mexico claims the following maritime zones:
- Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles
- Contiguous zone: 24 nautical miles
- Exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles
- Continental shelf: 200 nautical miles or to the edge of the continental margin
7. Climate
Mexico has a diverse climate due to its topography and latitudinal range. The majority of the country experiences a tropical climate, with hot and humid conditions along the coasts and in the lowlands. The northern regions tend to be more arid, with a desert climate, while the higher elevations of the central and southern regions have a temperate climate.
8. Terrain
Mexico’s terrain is diverse, with rugged mountain ranges, high plateaus, deserts, and coastal plains. The Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre Oriental mountain ranges run parallel along the western and eastern sides of the country, respectively. The central region features the Mexican Plateau, with an average elevation of 1,800 meters (5,900 feet). Other notable features include the Baja California Peninsula, the Yucatan Peninsula, and the Chihuahuan Desert.
9. Elevation Extremes
The highest elevation in Mexico is Pico de Orizaba, a volcanic peak reaching 5,636 meters (18,491 feet) above sea level, located in the state of Veracruz. The lowest point is the Laguna Salada basin, at -10 meters (-32 feet) below sea level, situated in the state of Baja California.
10. Natural Resources
Mexico’s major natural resources include petroleum, silver, copper, gold, lead, zinc, natural gas, and timber.
11. Major Bodies of Water
Notable bodies of water in Mexico include:
- Gulf of Mexico – A semi-enclosed ocean basin shared with the United States and Cuba
- Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez) – A marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean, separating the Baja California Peninsula from the Mexican mainland
- Río Bravo (Rio Grande) – A major river shared with the United States, forming part of the border between the two countries
- Lago de Chapala – One of the largest freshwater lakes in Mexico, located in the state of Jalisco
12. Natural Hazards
Major natural hazards affecting Mexico include:
- Earthquakes – Mexico is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it prone to seismic activity.
- Hurricanes and tropical storms – The coastal regions, particularly along the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico, are vulnerable to these weather systems.
- Volcanic activity – Mexico has several active volcanoes, such as Popocatépetl and Colima.
- Flooding and landslides – Risks are higher in mountainous regions and during the rainy season.
13. Geography – Notes
Mexico is considered a megadiverse country, with a rich diversity of ecosystems and species. The Tropic of Cancer passes through the central region, dividing the country into temperate and tropical zones. Mexico’s geography has played a significant role in shaping its history, culture, and economic development.
- Forest Area (% of land area): 33.90%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
- Co2 Emissions: 486,406. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
- Agricultural Land( %). 54.60%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
- Geographic Coordinates: 23.634501-102.552784.
- Capital: The capital of Mexico is Mexico City
- Major Cities:
City Population Mexico City 8,918,653 Guadalajara 1,460,148 Monterrey 1,135,550 Puebla 1,434,062 Tijuana 1,641,570 Leon 1,578,626 - Population: 126,014,024
- Area(Km2): 1964375
- Population Density( P/Km²):66. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
- Calling Code:52
- Official Language(s):Mexico is Spanish 92.7% spoken.
- Currency: MXN
Main Economic Indicators
Mexico has a diverse, free market economy that is the 15th largest in the world based on nominal GDP. The economy is heavily reliant on exports and foreign investment, particularly from the United States. Key economic challenges include reducing poverty, improving education and infrastructure, and tackling corruption. Notable economic policies include free trade agreements with over 40 countries and membership in the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement).
Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)
2022: 7.82% (Source: INEGI)
2021: 5.69% (Source: INEGI)
Credit Ratings
Fitch: BBB (Stable Outlook)
Moody’s: Baa1 (Stable Outlook)
Standard & Poor’s: BBB (Stable Outlook)
GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin
Agriculture: 3.5%
Industry: 30.8%
Services: 65.7%
Key Agricultural and Industrial Products
Agricultural Products: Corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, beef, poultry, dairy products, fruits, and vegetables.
Industrial Products: Machinery and equipment, automobile and auto parts, electronics, electrical equipment, aerospace equipment, petroleum products, and processed foods.
Labor Force
Total Labor Force: 59.5 million (2022 est.)
Comparative Ranking: 9th largest labor force in the world
Current Account Balance
2022: -$5.3 billion (Source: Banco de México)
2021: -$12.1 billion (Source: Banco de México)
Comparative Ranking: 166th in the world (2022 est.)
Exports and Imports
Exports: $619.6 billion (2022 est.)
Key Partners: United States (80.2%), Canada (3.2%), China (1.6%)
Main Exports: Machinery, electrical equipment, vehicles, mineral fuels, plastics
Imports: $624.9 billion (2022 est.)
Key Partners: United States (46.3%), China (18.4%), Japan (4.2%)
Main Imports: Machinery, electrical equipment, vehicles, mineral fuels, plastics
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
Foreign Exchange Reserves: $199.1 billion (as of March 2023)
Gold Reserves: 120.9 tonnes (as of December 2022)
- GDP (Current US$):$1,258,286,717,125. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
- Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 13.10%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
- Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 55.10%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
- Gasoline Price. $0.73. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
- Minimum wage. $0.49. It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
- Unemployment Rate (%): 3.42%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.
Social Indicators
1. National Identity
Nationality (noun): Mexican
Nationality (adjective): Mexican
2. Ethnic Groups
- Mestizo (Amerindian-Spanish) – 62%
- Predominantly Amerindian – 21%
- Amerindian – 7%
- Other – 10% (mostly European)
3. Religions
- Roman Catholic – 82.7%
- Pentecostal – 1.6%
- Jehovah’s Witnesses – 1.4%
- Other Evangelical Churches – 5%
- None – 4.7%
- Other – 4.6%
4. Age Structure
- 0-14 years – 25.83%
- 15-64 years – 66.73%
- 65 years and over – 7.44%
5. Dependency Ratios
Total dependency ratio: 51.3
Youth dependency ratio: 38.7
Elderly dependency ratio: 12.6
6. Median Age
Median age: 29.3 years
Median age (male): 28 years
Median age (female): 30.6 years
7. Lifestyle Indicators
- Obesity rate: 28.9%
- Alcohol consumption (liters per capita): 7.2
- Tobacco use (adults): 16.6%
- Life Expectancy at Birth: 75. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
- Literacy Rate (% of adults): 94.4%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
- Birth Rate:17.6. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
- Death Rate:9. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
- Fertility Rate: 2.13. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
- Internet Users (% of population): 75.1%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
- Urban Population: 102,626,859. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
- Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):41.40%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.
Infrastructure and Services
Military and Security Forces
The Mexican Armed Forces consist of three main branches: the Mexican Army, the Mexican Navy, and the Mexican Air Force. There are also specialized units like the Presidential Guard and Special Forces (FES). The National Guard plays a key role in maintaining internal security alongside the Federal Police.
Military Expenditures
Mexico’s military spending as a percentage of GDP for the last five years:
- 2022: 0.48%
- 2021: 0.46%
- 2020: 0.50%
- 2019: 0.49%
- 2018: 0.45%
In terms of global military spending, Mexico ranked 34th in 2021.
Personnel Strengths
The total active-duty military personnel for Mexico is approximately 289,600, with the following breakdown:
- Army: 188,300
- Navy: 56,000 (including 24,000 Naval Infantry)
- Air Force: 14,300
The National Guard has around 100,000 personnel.
Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions
Mexico’s military equipment includes a mix of domestically produced and imported hardware:
- Land Systems: ERC-90 Scorpion armored vehicles, G-AAMCA rocket launchers, PN-07 and PN-09 armored vehicles
- Air Systems: F-5 Freedom Fighter, Pilatus PC-9 trainers, and Mi-17 transport helicopters
- Naval Systems: Holzinger-class patrol vessels, Oaxaca-class patrol craft, and Guanajuato-class offshore patrol vessels
Major planned acquisitions include maritime patrol aircraft, transport aircraft, and upgrades to existing equipment.
Military Service Age and Obligation
In Mexico, military service is voluntary for individuals aged 18-30. There is no mandatory military service obligation.
Military Deployments
Mexico currently has limited overseas military deployments, mainly contributing personnel to various United Nations peacekeeping missions and military observer roles.
Strategic Military Notes
Mexico’s defense strategy focuses on domestic security challenges, including combating drug trafficking organizations and organized crime. The military plays a supporting role to federal and state security forces in these efforts.
Internationally, Mexico prioritizes regional security cooperation, particularly with the United States and Central American countries. It is a member of the UN Standby Arrangement System and has participated in various peacekeeping operations.
- Armed Forces Size: 216000. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
- Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 2.38
- Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 60.70%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.