Regional Economic Development in Mexico

Latin America is the most unequal region in the world, and geographical imbalances are a significant component of overall inequality. On average, regional economic disparities here are four times higher than in countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

This book underscores the significance of subnational development and delivers a historical examination of regional processes, inequalities, and development in Mexico. While many books analyse economic development at a high level, few offer a ground-up regional perspective. Despite being among the 15 largest economies in the world, development in Mexico has been characterised by striking disparities. Uneven regional development in this country is a phenomenon that has persisted over decades and centuries. This volume offers a fresh perspective, unique data analysis, and actionable insights of economic development that go beyond traditional analyses based on a macroeconomic standpoint. Based on an extensive bibliographic review and rigorous empirical research that includes paradigmatic case studies, it offers a critical interpretation of regional disparities and the factors that have driven the development of different regions. Additionally, the book carries out an analysis of regional policies and includes a reflection on the scope of recent reconfigurations, at both the international and national levels.

It invites scholars, researchers, and policymakers to open an enriching dialogue to understand the routes that countries such as Mexico have taken and can take in the future on its way to a more hopeful and equitable future.

Alejandra Trejo Nieto is an economist and professor at the Centre for Demographic, Urban and Environmental Studies, El Colegio de Mexico, Mexico.