The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) released a study stating that inequality in Mexico rose during President Calderón’s presidency. Calderón however rejected this study, stating, “The OECD said that inequality rose and yes it is true, but one must read the fine print that says it rose between 1984 and 1998, and also, I can say with the OECD data that inequality in Mexico decreased from 2000 and 2008 and still more in 2010. Yes it rose, but it rose from 1984 to 1998, terribly. Why? Because we suffered three crises, in 82, in 87, and in 94, and a terrible inflation in the 80s that pulverized the income of the poorest, because of this inequality rose in the last decade.”The president went on to say that during the economic crisis of 2008 Mexicans with higher incomes suffered more and the poor “did not lose anything.”
The OECD report released data showing that Mexico was one of the most unequal countries out of all OECD participants with the income of the 10% richest population to be 26 times higher than the 10% poorest population. Mexico ranks in the top three most unequal countries along with Turkey and Chile, and is closely followed by the United States. Julio Boltvinik, academic at the College of Mexico, explained that the inequality in Mexico is due to lack of jobs, low wages, rising informality in the country, tax policies that favor the wealthy, and limited social spending. The OECD stated that employment is the most promising means to confront inequality.
“Asegura Calderon que la desigualdad en Mexico disminuyo.” Milenio. 7 December, 2011.
