Declan Tidd and Katie Woodliff AP Comparative Government- 1A

 Estimated population of over 113 million  Eleventh most populated country - Overpopulation  Mexico city has a growing population of 22 million– overpopulation -vast influx of poor into Mexico city -build rural homes in hills in the city

 1940 to number of Mexicans more than quadrupled from under 20 million to over 80 million.  1960s and 1970s the population growth was among the world’s fastest– 3.3% a year  Concerns about overpopulation resulted in a huge planning program which included advertising and medical officials -As result, the average number of children per woman dropped from 5.7 (1976) to about 2.2 (2010).  Growing gap between the rich and the poor– consequence of rapid economic growth

 Mexico has played a minor role in international affairs through most of its history  Mexico's role in international affairs was limited until the 1970s, because the country needed to concentrate on domestic issues, including internal stability and economic growth.  After 1982, the government decreased restrictions on foreign ownership of property, and reduced tariffs  The government began to encourage Mexican private industries to produce goods for export with a series of incentives  Mexico’s foreign policy is still concerned with the United States more than any other country

 However, Mexico has recently joined international organizations including the UN, WTO, and GATT (General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs)  Signed trade pacts with many Latin American and European countries  NAFTA signed in 1995 eliminated trade barriers  Maquiladora , manufacturing zone created in northern Mexico near USA border. -Produced consumer goods for U.S -Plants created to transform imported raw materials into finished industrial products  Drug trafficking- major problem for US and Mexico; brings corruption, violence, and wealth to Mexico

 Sexenio- six-year office term is extremely important in political life New presidents can introduce extensive change in positions within government Ability to build “teams” of middle-high level officials who share the same ideas about public policy  With the bureaucracy, the president is focal point of policy making Congress has recently proven to be a more active policy maker—introduces its own bills  Significant limits on the president when policy is being implemented  At times policies are not implemented because public officials at the lower levels disagree with what is being put into place

 One of Mexico’s most widespread environmental problems is soil erosion, which contributes to deforestation  Mexico City suffers from intense smog from thousands of factories, motor vehicles, and the open burning of garbage, making it one of the most polluted cities  Cities along the Mexican border suffer from severe air pollution and water damage.  76% of the air pollution is caused by transportation vehicles  Beginning in the mid-1980s, the government enacted numerous antipollution policies in Mexico– varied success rates– pollution rates did not really decrease.

 Energy production in Mexico is managed by state owned companies - The Federal Commission of Electricity -PEMEX  PEMEX- The public company in charge of exploration, extraction, transportation and marketing of crude oil and natural gas. It also manages the distribution and refining of petroleum products. -One of the largest companies in the world -In early 2008, a reform was announced to strengthen government regulation on the oil industry and to give more budget autonomy to PEMEX  Mexico is the sixth largest oil producer in the world  In 2000, oil exports accounted for 7.3% of total exports compared to 62% in 1980.

 In 2012 Mexico’s GDP was $1.758 trillion, which was 12 th in the world, according to the CIA World Factbook  The GDP has been growing, but at a slower rate each year. In 2012 it grew 3.8%, which was 90 th in the world  62% of Mexico’s economy is service based. Countries with service heavy economies are typically more developed than agricultural or industrial countries.  To put these numbers in perspective, the USA has a GDP of over $16 trillion and our economy is 80% service.

 Gross National Income per capita at Purchasing Power Parity- Mexico’s is $15, st in the world  The worlds GNI is $11,579, and the Democratic Republic of Congo has the lowest GNI with $350

 The Human Development Index is a measure of a countries human development.  It is based on three things Life expectancy Access to knowledge Standard of living

 Mexico’s HDI is 57 out of 187 countries measured  The current life expectancy is 77 years old, which is 10 years higher than it was in 1980  The average child will be in school for 8.5 years- this number was 4 in 1980  Mexico’s HDI is actually relatively high for Latin American countries. Brazil is ranked 84 th and Columbia is ranked 87 th