Background on Andrés Manuel López Obrador
Andrés Manuel López Obrador, often referred to as AMLO, served as the President of Mexico from December 1, 2018, to December 1, 2024. His six-year term was marked by a policy of austerity and prioritization of key programs with increasing budgets, such as the “Pensión para el Bienestar” (Pension for Well-being).
Income Growth in Mexican Households
According to the National Survey of Household Income and Expenditure (ENIGH) 2024, Mexican households experienced a 15.6% increase in income over the past six years, amidst AMLO’s administration. This growth occurred despite a policy of austerity and the prioritization of specific programs with growing budgets.
Income Distribution Across Deciles
The ENIGH 2024 data reveals that the income distribution among Mexican households varied significantly across deciles, which categorize households based on income levels.
- Decil I: Representing the lowest-income households, these families saw a 13.3% increase in income from 2022 to 2024 and a substantial 35.9% growth from 2018 to 2024, with an average trimester income of 16,795 pesos in 2024.
- Decil X: Comprising the highest-income households, these families experienced a 6.4% income growth from 2022 to 2024 and a 4.1% increase from 2018 to 2024, with an average trimester income of 236,095 pesos in 2024.
The gap between the highest and lowest-income deciles narrowed slightly, with the former gaining 14 times more income than the latter in 2024, compared to almost 15 times more two years prior.
Primary Sources of Household Income
The primary source of income for Mexican households was employment-related earnings, averaging 51,099 pesos per trimester. Transfer-based income, such as social programs and donations, accounted for 13,799 pesos on average.
ENIGH 2024 Data Collection
The ENIGH 2024 was conducted from August 21 to November 28, capturing the final months of AMLO’s presidency and the initial months of Claudia Sheinbaum’s tenure as the Federal Executive.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the ENIGH? The National Survey of Household Income and Expenditure (ENIGH) is a statistical tool that provides insights into household income, expenditure patterns, and demographic characteristics.
- What factors contributed to the income growth in Mexican households? Despite a policy of austerity, income growth was fueled by prioritized programs with increasing budgets, such as the Pensión para el Bienestar.
- How did income distribution change across deciles? The gap between the highest and lowest-income deciles narrowed slightly, with the former gaining 14 times more income than the latter in 2024 compared to almost 15 times more two years prior.
