Key data for poverty measurement
Input, the results of the ENIGH show positive data. The most relevant is that the average income of households grew 10.6% between 2022 and 2024, mainly for work.
“In the case of households with lower income, it increases just over 36%. We see this panorama positive: in general the income increases, but it is significantly higher for those with lower income,” he says Fernanda GarcíaDirector of Society at the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO).
With these figures and replicating the methodology of the missing National Council for Evaluation of Social Development Policy (Coneval), some economists advance that poverty possibly decreased. They estimate that throughout López Obrador’s six -year term, 9.9 million Mexicans would have left that condition.
However, the expert recalls that the measurement, being multidimensional, is complex and also considers other aspects in addition to income, such as social deficiencies.
Before it is necessary to analyze some enight data that attracts attention, considers Rodolfo de la TorreDirector of Social Mobility of the Center for Escinosa Yglesias (CEEY).
One of them is that, according to the survey, household income increased three times more than the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita.
“This discrepancy does not necessarily mean that the great growth of homes is not possible. But it is an issue that will have to be examined. The question is: how is it possible that it grows so much total income, not growing so much the economy?” He questions.
Change Health Question
Regarding access to health, they also put the magnifying glass in which the INEGI modified the questionnaire on the subject.
Previously, he wondered whether or not people had access to public medical services. In the recent edition of the ENIGH, he asked directly about the affiliation, enlisting the name of health institutions.
The changes seem minimal, but they could influence the way people respond and modify the results, although it is still unknown to what extent.
“It will be one of the elements that have to be examined, starting with the reason why those who raised the survey from the INEGI decided to modify this way of asking,” says the expert.
Garcia warns that, in addition, it is necessary to know if due to the change the data will be comparable to the previous measurements.
Now, the questionnaire includes, within the same access question, private insurance. We will have to understand, when the results come out, how that component is separated. ”
Fernanda García, Director of Society at IMCO.
The data on access to health is extremely important. It was one of the worst indicators evaluated in 2022, year that doubled the population without this right. This contributed to a slight increase in the population in extreme poverty.
That additional 30.3 million of inhabitants were outside the health system was most questioned in the middle of López Obrador’s sexennium, especially since the former president initiated a series of reforms to the sector with several mistakes.
