The quality of life in Mexico has improved significantly in the last decade. The country has taken significant steps forward in the development of education, he althcare and employment. Nevertheless, positive results in the country have been achieved only in some areas of human activity.
State of Mexico
Mexico, officially the United States of Mexico, is a country located in the southern part of North America, with its capital city of Mexico City. The country is a democratic republic and consists of 32 subjects of the federation.
Mexican territory has a surface area of 1,964,375 square kilometers, making it the 14th largest country in the world. In the north, Mexico borders on the United States, the length of the border is 3155 km. In the south, the country borders on Guatemala (958 km) and Belize (276 km). From the west, the coast of the country is washed by the Pacific Ocean, and from the east by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. With 9,330 km of coastline, it is the third largest country in the Americas.
Mexico is the 11th country in the world by population. In 2017, its population was estimated at 124 million people. The majority of residents speak Spanish, which is the official national language, along with 67 other Aboriginal Indian languages. According to some data, 287 languages are spoken in the country, which is why Mexico ranks seventh in the world in terms of the linguistic diversity of its population. It is also the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world.
According to the World Tourism Organization, Mexico is the top tourist destination in Latin America and ranks 8th in the world in terms of the number of visits by foreign residents. There are 32 cultural sites in Mexico that UNESCO has included in the list of World Heritage of Humanity. In addition, Mexico is one of the few countries with a wide variety of climates and is included in the list of the richest 12 countries in terms of the number of species of living organisms that live in the wild in its territory.
Considering the economic issue, it should be said that in terms of GDP the country occupies the 14th position in the world. Mexico has shown rapid development in recent decades in many areas of human activity.
OECD quality of life in Mexico
The quality of life in this North American country has been measured against 9 key indicators set by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This organization was founded in 1961 and consists of 34states. The goal of the OECD is to promote the economic and social well-being of countries around the world through appropriate policy actions.
The main indicators that reflect the quality of life in Mexico and other OECD countries are as follows:
- security;
- income level;
- development of the service sector;
- employment and job security;
- education;
- he althcare;
- state of the environment;
- housing issue;
- political activity of the population.
According to the published results of the OECD, Mexicans are more satisfied with their lives than the inhabitants of African republics. Nevertheless, on a number of indicators, the standard of living in Mexico is lower than in the rest of the OECD countries.
Mexico compared to other OECD members
Compared to the OECD average, the quality of life in Mexico can be summarized as follows:
- Employment in Mexico was 61% in 2016, below the OECD average of 67%, but the long-term unemployment rate is close to zero and one of the lowest in the world. As for life expectancy in Mexico, it is 75 years, 5 years less than the OECD average.
- The crime rate is quite high in this country and was estimated at 18 crimes for every 100,000 inhabitants in 2014year. The percentage of people who feel safe walking at night in their area is just 46%, well below the OECD average of 69%.
- Mexico also has a low level of social trust. Thus, only 80% of Mexicans say they have a friend or relative they can fully rely on in a difficult situation, while the average value of this indicator for the rest of the OECD is 89%.
- Mexico has a relatively low level of education, while overall life satisfaction is above average.
People's income and employment
Money can't buy happiness, but money is an important means to achieve a high quality of life. The standard of living of the population in Mexico is low. On average, a family receives $12,732 a year, which is almost 2 times lower than the average income among other OECD countries, which is $23,047 a year. In addition, there is a huge disparity between the poor and the rich. According to statistics, 20% of the we althy population of the country have incomes 13 times greater than 20% of the poor.
On the issue of employment, data suggests that about 60% of the population aged 15 to 64 have a paid job. At the same time, the number of employed men significantly exceeds the number of women (70% versus 30%). Life is not easy for people in Mexico, with the average person in the country working 2,250 hours a year, well above the OECD average of 1,776 hours. In addition, about 29% of employed people in Mexico overwork significantly, more than the OECD average of 9%. The number of men among all employed who spend most of their lives at work is 35%, while for women this figure is 18%.
Education, he alth and pollution
A person's good education is an important advantage in finding a good job. In Mexico, only 36% of people aged 25 to 64 have completed high school and received a certificate. On this measure, Mexico lags far behind the OECD average of 74%. Moreover, about 38% of men graduated from school with success, while the same number of women is only 35%.
In terms of quality of education, the average Mexican student scores 420 in Literature, Mathematics and other subjects, according to the OECD's International Student Assessment. The OECD average is 497.
In terms of he alth and life expectancy in Mexico, it must be said that it is 5 years below the OECD average (75 years vs. 80 years). For men in the country, the average life expectancy is 71 years, for women 77.
Besides, Mexico is quite a dirty country. The average amount of pollutants in the atmosphere that can harm the lungs and other organs of a person is 33 micrograms per cubic meter of air. At the same time, the averagethe OECD value is 21 micrograms per cubic meter. The quality of water in Mexico also leaves much to be desired. Only 78% of Mexicans are satisfied with its quality. For the OECD, this figure is 84%.
Social and political activity of the population
When it comes to social life, about 77-80% of Mexicans say they can rely on someone in difficult times. This figure is also lower than the OECD average of 89-90%.
Mexican participation in the latest elections and public confidence in their government is 63%, below the OECD average of 72%.
When we talk about such positive concepts as rest, satisfaction with one's achievements, as well as negative concepts such as anxiety, despondency, sadness, the average Mexican is more satisfied with the quality of his life than the OECD average (85% vs. 80%).
Reviews about life in Mexico for foreigners
People who have lived 10 or more years in Mexico speak of it as a country that gladly accepts any foreigner. Mexicans like to introduce foreigners to their culture and traditions. They are for the most part very kind and talkative.
Work in the country is very hard and poorly paid. However, for people who work in foreign firms, the economic conditions are quite good. The main requirement for getting a high-paying job in Mexico is a good knowledgein English. The best places to look for a job are:
- Cancun;
- Playa de Carmen;
- Guadalajara;
- Monterrey.
Knowledge of English is a good advantage when looking for a job in the hospitality industry in Cancun and Playa de Carmen. Work and life itself in Monterrey in Mexico, as well as in Guadalajara, is characterized by its orientation towards the industry. Here you can find jobs in the field of electricity, engineering and information systems.
A person who is going to migrate to Mexico for work for a long time must be patient with the Mexican bureaucracy, as it requires that a foreigner carry several copies of various documents regarding his place of birth, nationality, education, previous work and others.
It is recommended to move to Mexico when a specific job has already been found there, as it can take a long time to find a job in the country itself.
Pros of living in Mexico
Mexico is generally considered one of the most attractive Hispanic countries for immigration.
One of the main advantages of living in Mexico is its people. Mexicans are known all over the world for their hospitality, they always voluntarily offer foreigners to show their city, and on the very first day they meet, they willingly invite foreigners to their home for dinner. Here people are more relaxed, and there is no tension and stress thatcharacteristic of Europe and North America. If a foreigner gets lost and wants to ask a random passerby for his location or how to get to the place he needs, then he can do it without hesitation, because any passerby will gladly help in the best possible way.
Another good thing about living in Mexico is the food. In this country, in each of its cities, there are a huge number of restaurants where you can choose any menu you like at the appropriate price. Be sure to try the famous casadillas, tacos, guacamole and various Mexican sauces. All food in this country has an exquisite taste and smell.
Besides, living in Mexico is fairly inexpensive. But it all depends on which city the foreigner will stay in. For example, living in Mexico in Monterrey and in the capital, Mexico City, will cost the most, while the Chihuahua zone is relatively inexpensive to live in. Prices in hotels and inns in the country are lower than in many other countries of the world.
Speaking of the positive aspects of life in Mexico, one cannot fail to mention its magnificent natural scenery. This country is one of the few countries in the world that has great biodiversity. Here you can walk both in the tropical jungle and in the desert, both in the vast plains and in the mountains. The country is famous for its beautiful waterfalls and extensive beaches with warm seas.
Negative aspects of life in the country
As with any country in the world, there are pros and cons to living in Mexico. Yes, Mexican food.is both a strength and a weakness of Mexico, because in this country no one is immune from Moctezuma disease. This disease often strikes tourists new to Mexico. The main symptoms of Moctezuma disease are:
- diarrhea;
- stomach pain;
- high body temperature;
- nausea and vomiting.
The reason for the appearance of this disease is the inability of the immune system to the peculiarities of Mexican food. Usually, symptoms appear within a few days, and after a week the person is already completely he althy.
Another disadvantage of life in Mexico is traffic. The fact is that in this country in large cities there are traffic jams every day, and you can stand in them for half a day. Public transport is inefficient and rather underdeveloped.
An important disadvantage of living in Mexico is the low level of security on its streets. Walking in some areas and at certain times of the day can cost your life, so you always need to be careful to avoid serious problems.
Russian diaspora in Mexico
The Russian diaspora in Mexico is quite small in number and scattered throughout the country. Thus, according to general estimates, in 2006, about 0.3% of all foreign residents in Mexico were Russians, and in 2009, 1,453 immigrants here had a Russian passport. Nevertheless, the number of Russian people here is much larger and amounts to several thousand people. They are mainly immigrants and their descendants, whomoved to this country in the middle of the last century, and currently they have only Mexican passports.
Historically, the largest Russian community existed in Baja California. There are other Russian communities in Mexico City that have preserved their culture and traditions, and continue to profess Christianity.
Currently, Russian firms are developing programs for tourist recreation on the Yucatan Peninsula specifically for visitors from Russia and post-Soviet countries. The number of flights from Moscow to Cancun has increased to 8 per week, 6 of which are operated by Aeroflot.
How do Russians live in Mexico?
To get to Mexico for life, it is enough for a Russian person to issue an appropriate electronic permit, which is done in a few minutes, and fly into Mexico by plane. With this permit, you can stay in the country for 180 days. In order to obtain a temporary residence permit for a period of 2 years, you must go to Mexico for a specific purpose, for example, for work or study.
Reviews of Russian life in Mexico show that housing prices in this country vary considerably from city to city, but still housing is cheaper than, for example, in Canada or the USA. In a small town, the price range for renting a house is usually in the range of $100-500, or in the order of several thousand pesos, since this is the main currency of the country.
Life in Mexico for Russians in terms of food is a real paradise, because in this country there are a huge number ofunique and delicious dishes that have relatively low prices. For example, in a mid-range restaurant you can dine for only $5-10, while in an expensive restaurant dinner will cost 1.5-2 times more. In local cafes, you can eat well for $1-2, while unlike Russian portions in cafes, Mexican portions are large.
If we talk about buying products on the market and preparing them yourself, then, according to Russians living in Mexico, in this case you can meet $100 per person per month. Prices for many products are significantly lower than Russian ones, for example, 1 kg of tomato costs about $0.3, that is, 20 rubles, the same price for 1 kg of carrots, fish and meat are also relatively cheaper than our prices.
The main disadvantage of living in Mexico for Russians is the low level of security. Thus, robberies in broad daylight, kidnappings and even murders of people are quite common.
Another disadvantage according to reviews is the low level of free medicine and the presence of long queues in hospitals.
As for education, in Mexico it is at a lower level than in Russia, but if you get paid education in private schools, then it is quite good. The cost of paid secondary education is about $500 per month.
If we make a brief summary of the general standard of living in Mexico relative to Russia, then we can say that these countries are comparable on average. For example, housing and food prices in Mexico are lower, but the situation with education and security in Mexico is much worse.streets than in Russia.
Russian musicians and Russian scientists in Mexico
It is musicians and scientists from Russia that are the most sought-after professions in Mexico. According to the migration agency, about 1,500 scientists and 500 highly qualified musicians work in Mexico.
Recently, in the north of the country in the small town of Ensenada, a large center for nanotechnology has appeared, which has become an analogue of the Skolkovo center in Russia. The new Mexican center employs about two dozen Russian professors, mostly from Novosibirsk.
Russian engineers and oil workers should also be mentioned, for example, Vladimir Olkhovich, the father of the famous director Sergei Olkhovich, discovered dozens of rich oil fields in the country with his Mexican colleagues.
The presence of Russian culture in Mexico is marked by the names of famous artists, actors and musicians. We should mention such names as Vladimir Kibalchich - a famous artist, Yuri Knorozov - a historian-linguist, Alexandra Kollontai - a politician, and others.
