The quality of life in Mexico has improved significantly in the last decade. The country has made significant steps forward in the development of education, health and employment. Nevertheless, positive results in the country have been achieved only in some areas of human activity.
State of mexico
Mexico, the official name of which is the United States of Mexico, is a country located in southern North America, with a capital in Mexico City. The country is a democratic republic and consists of 32 subjects of the federation.
The surface area of the Mexican territory is 1 964 375 square kilometers, which puts this country in 14th place in the world in the ranking of the largest countries. 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 country's coast is washed by the Pacific Ocean, and from the east by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. The coastline is 9330 km long, and this is the third country in the American region by this indicator.
Mexico is the 11th largest country in the world by population. In 2017, its population was estimated at 124 million people. Most residents speak Spanish, which is the state national language, along with 67 other indigenous languages - Indians. According to some reports, 287 languages are spoken in the country, which is why Mexico is ranked seventh in the world in terms of the linguistic diversity of its population. It is also the largest Hispanic country in the world.
According to the World Tourism Organization, Mexico is the main tourist destination in Latin America and takes 8th place in the world in the number of visits by foreign residents. Mexico has 32 cultural sites that UNESCO has included on the World Heritage List 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 living 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 growth in recent decades in many areas of human activity.
Quality of life in Mexico according to OECD
The quality of life in this North American country was measured by 9 key indicators set by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This organization was founded in 1961, it includes 34 states. The goal of the OECD is to develop the economic and social well-being of countries around the world through appropriate political events.
The main indicators that reflect the quality of life in Mexico and other OECD countries are the following:
- security;
- income level;
- development of the service sector;
- employment and job security;
- education;
- healthcare
- state of the environment;
- housing issue;
- political activity of the population.
According to OECD published results, Mexicans are more satisfied with their lives than residents of African republics. Nevertheless, for a number of indicators, living standards in Mexico are lower than in other OECD countries.
Comparison of Mexico with other OECD members
Compared to OECD averages, the quality of life in Mexico can be characterized by the following figures:
- Employment in Mexico was 61% in 2016, which is below the average for OECD members (67%), but the unemployment rate calculated over a long period of time is close to zero and is one of the lowest in the world. As for life expectancy in Mexico, it is 75 years, which is 5 years less than the OECD average.
- The crime rate is quite high in this country and was estimated as 18 crimes for every 100,000 inhabitants in 2014. The percentage of people who feel safe on night walks in the area where they live is only 46%, which is much lower than the OECD average of 69%.
- Mexico also has a low level of social trust. So, only 80% of Mexicans say they have a friend or relative whom they can fully rely on in difficult situations, while the average value of this indicator for the rest of the OECD is 89%.
- In Mexico, education is relatively low, while overall satisfaction with life is above average.
Incomes and employment
You cannot buy happiness for money, but money is an important means to achieve a high quality of life. The standard of living 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 amount to $ 23,047 a year. In addition, there is a huge disparity between the rich and the poor. According to statistics, 20% of the country's rich population have incomes 13 times greater than 20% of the poor.
Regarding the issue of employment, the data say that about 60% of the population aged 15 to 64 have paid work. At the same time, the number of employed men significantly exceeds the number of women (70% versus 30%). People’s life in Mexico is not easy, because the average person in this country works 2,250 hours a year, which is much higher than the OECD average of 1,776 hours. In addition, about 29% of employed people in Mexico process significantly, which exceeds the OECD average of 9%. The number of men among all employees who spend most of their lives at work is 35%, while for women this figure is 18%.
Education, health and pollution
A good education in a person is its important advantage in finding a good job. In Mexico, only 36% of people aged 25 to 64 graduated from high school and received the appropriate document. For this indicator, Mexico is far behind the OECD average of 74%. Moreover, about 38% of men successfully completed school, while the same number of women is only 35%.
As for the quality of education, it should be said that on average a Mexican student scores 420 points in literature, mathematics and other subjects, according to the OECD according to the international assessment of students. The average OECD is 497 points.
In matters of health and life expectancy in Mexico, it must be said that it is 5 years less than the OECD average (75 years versus 80 years). For men in the country, the average life expectancy is 71 years, for women 77.
In addition, Mexico is a rather dirty country. The average amount of polluting particles in the atmosphere that can harm the lungs and other organs of the person is 33 micrograms per meter cubic air. At the same time, the average value for the OECD is 21 micrograms per cubic meter. Mexico's water quality 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
As for social life, about 77-80% of Mexicans say they can rely on a person in difficult times. This indicator is also lower than the OECD average of 89-90%.
The percentage of Mexicans in the last election, as well as the level of public confidence in their government, is 63%, which is lower than the OECD average of 72%.
If we talk about such positive concepts as rest, satisfaction with one’s achievements, as well as negative concepts such as anxiety, despondency, and sadness, the average Mexican is more satisfied with the quality of his life than the OECD average (85% versus 80% )
Reviews about living in Mexico for foreigners
People who have lived in Mexico for more than 10 years 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 difficult and poorly paid. However, for people who work in foreign firms, the economic conditions are quite good. The basic requirement for a well-paid job in Mexico is a good command of English. The best places to find a job are:
- Cancun;
- Playa de Carmen;
- Guadalajara;
- Monterrey
Knowledge of English provides good advantages when looking for work in the hotel industry in Cancun and Playa de Carmen. The work and life itself in Monterrey in Mexico, as well as in Guadalajara, is characterized by its focus on industry. Here you can find work in the field of electricity, engineering and information systems.
A person who is going to migrate to Mexico for a long time work must be patient with the Mexican bureaucracy, as she requires that the foreigner carry several copies of various documents with him, regarding his place of birth, nationality, education, previous work and others .
It is recommended that you move to Mexico when a specific job has already been found there, as it may take a considerable amount of time to find work in the country itself.
Positive aspects of living in Mexico
By all accounts, Mexico is one of the attractive Spanish-speaking 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 first day they meet, they willingly invite foreigners to their home for dinner. Here, people are more relaxed, and the tension and stress that are characteristic of the countries of Europe and North America are not felt. If a foreigner gets lost and wants to ask a random passerby his location or how to get to the place he needs, he can do it without hesitation, since any passerby will happily help in the best way.
Another plus of living in Mexico is her food. In this country, in each of its cities there are a huge number of restaurants where you can choose any menu at the appropriate price. You should definitely try the famous quesadillas, tacos, guacamole and various Mexican sauces. All food in this country has an exquisite taste and smell.
In addition, life in Mexico is quite inexpensive. But it all depends on in which city the foreigner will stop. For example, living in Mexico in Monterrey and in the capital, Mexico City, will cost the most, but the Chihuahua area is relatively inexpensive for living. Prices in hotels of the country are lower than in many other countries of the world.
Speaking about the positive aspects of life in Mexico, one cannot but mention its magnificent natural landscapes. This country is one of the few states in the world in which there is great biodiversity. Here you can walk both in the tropical selva and in the desert, both in the vast plains and in the mountains. The country is famous for its beautiful waterfalls and vast beaches with warm sea.
Negative aspects of life in the country
As in any country in the world, there are pros and cons to living in Mexico. So, Mexican food is both a strong and a weak side of Mexico, because in this country no one is safe from Moktesum’s disease. This disease often affects tourists newly arriving in Mexico. The main symptoms of Moktesum disease are as follows:
- diarrhea;
- stomach pains;
- a strong increase in body temperature;
- nausea and vomiting.
The cause of this disease is the inability of the immune system to the characteristics of Mexican food. Usually the symptoms manifest themselves within a few days, and after a week the person is completely healthy.
Another minus of life in Mexico is car traffic. The fact is that in this country in major cities traffic jams exist every day, and they can stand for half a day. Public transport has low efficiency and is quite undeveloped.
An important disadvantage of living in Mexico is the low level of security on its streets. Walking in certain areas and at certain times of the day can cost lives, so you should always 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 had a Russian passport here. Nevertheless, the number of Russian people here is much larger and amounts to several thousand people. These are mainly immigrants and their descendants who moved to this country as early as the middle of the last century, and currently they have only Mexican passports.
Historically, the largest Russian community existed in Baja California. In the city of Mexico City, there are other Russian communities that have preserved their culture and traditions, and also continue to practice Christianity.
Currently, Russian companies are developing programs for tourist vacations on the Yucatan Peninsula specifically for visitors from Russia and the countries of the former Soviet Union. The number of flights from Moscow to Cancun 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 apply for the appropriate electronic permission, which is done in a few minutes, and fly into the territory of Mexico by plane. With this permission you can stay in the country for 180 days. In order to obtain a 2-year temporary residence permit, you must go to Mexico for a specific purpose, for example, for work or study.
Reviews of Russians living in Mexico indicate that housing prices in this country vary significantly from city to city, but housing is still cheaper than, for example, in Canada or the United States. In a small town, the price range for renting a house usually lies in the range of $ 100-500, or about several thousand pesos, since this is the main currency of the country.
Living in Mexico for Russians in terms of nutrition is a real paradise, because in this country there are a huge number of unique and tasty dishes that have relatively low prices. For example, in a mid-range restaurant you can have dinner for only $ 5-10, in an expensive restaurant, dinner will cost 1.5-2 times more. In local cafes, you can eat well and for $ 1-2, while, unlike Russian portions in a cafe, Mexican portions are large.
If we talk about buying products on the market and preparing them yourself, then, according to reviews of Russians living in Mexico, in this case, you can meet $ 100 per person per month. Prices for many products are much lower than Russian ones, for example, 1 kg of tomato costs about $ 0.3, that is 20 rubles, 1 kg of carrots costs the same, fish and meat are also relatively cheaper than our prices.
The most important disadvantage of living in Mexico for Russians according to reviews is the low level of security. So, robberies in broad daylight, kidnapping and even killing are quite common.
Another disadvantage of the reviews is the low level of free medicine and the presence of large 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 a paid secondary education is about $ 500 per month.
If you make a brief summary of the general standard of living in Mexico in relation to Russia, then we can say that these countries are comparable on average. For example, housing and food prices in Mexico are lower, but education and street safety are much worse than in Russia.
Russian musicians and Russian scientists in Mexico
It is musicians and scientists from Russia who turn out to be the most sought-after professions in Mexico. , 1500 500 .
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The presence of Russian culture in Mexico is marked by the names of famous artists, artists and musicians. It should be mentioned such names as Vladimir Kibalchich - a famous artist, Yuri Knorozov - a historian-linguist, Alexandra Kollontai - a politician, and others.