The number of people living in poverty in Mexico accounted for over 36 percent of the country's population in 2020. In that year, it was estimated that more than 46 million people in Mexico lived in a situation of poverty, a significant decrease of nearly nine millions when compared with 2020. During 2022, Chiapas was the state in Mexico with the highest poverty rate.

Two out of every three persons in Chiapas lived under the poverty line in 2022, making it the federal entity with the largest share of poor population in Mexico. On average, about 36 percent of the Mexican population was living in poverty that year.

Poverty headcount ratio at national poverty lines (% of population) in Mexico was reported at 29.6 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Mexico - Poverty headcount ratio at national poverty line (% of population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

Mexico Poverty Headcount Ratio at Societal Poverty Lines: % of Population data was reported at 22.500 % in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 24.700 % for 2020. Mexico Poverty Headcount Ratio at Societal Poverty Lines: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 29.450 % from Dec 1989 (Median) to 2022, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 34.600 % in 1998 and a record low of 22.500 % in 2022. Mexico Poverty Headcount Ratio at Societal Poverty Lines: % of Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. The poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line is the percentage of a population living in poverty according to the World Bank's Societal Poverty Line. The Societal Poverty Line is expressed in purchasing power adjusted 2017 U.S. dollars and defined as max($2.15, $1.15 + 0.5*Median). This means that when the national median is sufficiently low, the Societal Poverty line is equivalent to the extreme poverty line, $2.15. For countries with a sufficiently high national median, the Societal Poverty Line grows as countries’ median income grows.;World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are mostly from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see http://pip.worldbank.org.;;The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than 2000 household surveys across 169 countries. See the Poverty and Inequality Platform (PIP) for details (www.pip.worldbank.org).

Historical dataset showing Mexico poverty rate by year from 1984 to 2022.

Mexico MX: Income Share Held by Lowest 20% data was reported at 5.700 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 5.400 % for 2014. Mexico MX: Income Share Held by Lowest 20% data is updated yearly, averaging 4.500 % from Dec 1984 (Median) to 2016, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.700 % in 2016 and a record low of 3.900 % in 2000. Mexico MX: Income Share Held by Lowest 20% data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.World Bank.WDI: Poverty. Percentage share of income or consumption is the share that accrues to subgroups of population indicated by deciles or quintiles. Percentage shares by quintile may not sum to 100 because of rounding.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

Mexico MX: Poverty Headcount Ratio at National Poverty Lines: % of Population data was reported at 43.600 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 46.200 % for 2014. Mexico MX: Poverty Headcount Ratio at National Poverty Lines: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 45.500 % from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2016, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 46.200 % in 2014 and a record low of 43.600 % in 2016. Mexico MX: Poverty Headcount Ratio at National Poverty Lines: % of Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.World Bank.WDI: Poverty. National poverty headcount ratio is the percentage of the population living below the national poverty lines. National estimates are based on population-weighted subgroup estimates from household surveys.; ; World Bank, Global Poverty Working Group. Data are compiled from official government sources or are computed by World Bank staff using national (i.e. country–specific) poverty lines.; ; This series only includes estimates that to the best of our knowledge are reasonably comparable over time for a country. Due to differences in estimation methodologies and poverty lines, estimates should not be compared across countries.

Poverty rate of Mexico declined by 3.08% from 3.8 % in 2012 to 3.7 % in 2014. Since the 29.98% surge in 2008, poverty rate sank by 31.17% in 2014. Population below $1.90 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $1.90 a day at 2011 international prices.

Mexico MX: Poverty Gap at National Poverty Lines: % data was reported at 0.400 % in 2014. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.400 % for 2012. Mexico MX: Poverty Gap at National Poverty Lines: % data is updated yearly, averaging 0.400 % from Dec 2010 (Median) to 2014, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.500 % in 2010 and a record low of 0.400 % in 2014. Mexico MX: Poverty Gap at National Poverty Lines: % data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.World Bank.WDI: Poverty. Poverty gap at national poverty lines is the mean shortfall from the poverty lines (counting the nonpoor as having zero shortfall) as a percentage of the poverty lines. This measure reflects the depth of poverty as well as its incidence.; ; World Bank, Global Poverty Working Group. Data are compiled from official government sources or are computed by World Bank staff using national (i.e. country–specific) poverty lines.; ; This series only includes estimates that to the best of our knowledge are reasonably comparable over time for a country. Due to differences in estimation methodologies and poverty lines, estimates should not be compared across countries.

Mexico MX: Poverty Headcount Ratio at National Poverty Lines: Rural: % of Rural Population data was reported at 62.400 % in 2014. This records a decrease from the previous number of 62.800 % for 2012. Mexico MX: Poverty Headcount Ratio at National Poverty Lines: Rural: % of Rural Population data is updated yearly, averaging 62.950 % from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2014, with 4 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 65.900 % in 2010 and a record low of 62.400 % in 2014. Mexico MX: Poverty Headcount Ratio at National Poverty Lines: Rural: % of Rural Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.World Bank.WDI: Poverty. Rural poverty headcount ratio is the percentage of the rural population living below the national poverty lines.; ; World Bank, Global Poverty Working Group. Data are compiled from official government sources or are computed by World Bank staff using national (i.e. country–specific) poverty lines.; ; This series only includes estimates that to the best of our knowledge are reasonably comparable over time for a country. Due to differences in estimation methodologies and poverty lines, estimates should not be compared across countries.

Poverty rate at $3.2 a day of Mexico sank by 40.63% from 9.60 % in 2020 to 5.70 % in 2022. Since the 10.00% jump in 2008, poverty rate at $3.2 a day plummeted by 69.52% in 2022. Population below $3.1 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $3.1 a day at 2005 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the world and influenced the lives of many. The poverty rate in Mexico accounted for approximately 44 percent of the country's population in 2020. In that year, it was estimated that more than eight percent of the population of Mexico lived in a situation of extreme poverty, while 35.4 percent of the population were considered to live in moderate poverty. All severities of poverty in Mexico decreased in 2022.

Mexico MX: Gini Coefficient (GINI Index): World Bank Estimate data was reported at 43.400 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 45.800 % for 2014. Mexico MX: Gini Coefficient (GINI Index): World Bank Estimate data is updated yearly, averaging 48.300 % from Dec 1984 (Median) to 2016, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 51.400 % in 2000 and a record low of 43.400 % in 2016. Mexico MX: Gini Coefficient (GINI Index): World Bank Estimate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.World Bank.WDI: Poverty. Gini index measures the extent to which the distribution of income (or, in some cases, consumption expenditure) among individuals or households within an economy deviates from a perfectly equal distribution. A Lorenz curve plots the cumulative percentages of total income received against the cumulative number of recipients, starting with the poorest individual or household. The Gini index measures the area between the Lorenz curve and a hypothetical line of absolute equality, expressed as a percentage of the maximum area under the line. Thus a Gini index of 0 represents perfect equality, while an index of 100 implies perfect inequality.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

Mexico MX: Income Share Held by Highest 10% data was reported at 34.800 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 37.200 % for 2014. Mexico MX: Income Share Held by Highest 10% data is updated yearly, averaging 37.800 % from Dec 1984 (Median) to 2016, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 41.000 % in 2000 and a record low of 34.800 % in 2016. Mexico MX: Income Share Held by Highest 10% data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.World Bank.WDI: Poverty. Percentage share of income or consumption is the share that accrues to subgroups of population indicated by deciles or quintiles.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

Urban poverty rate of Mexico grew by 4.55% from 48.3 % in 2012 to 50.5 % in 2014. Since the 6.70% surge in 2010, urban poverty rate leapt by 5.65% in 2014. Urban poverty rate is the percentage of the urban population living below the national urban poverty line.

Poverty gap at $5.5 a day of Mexico slumped by 14.81% from 8.1 % in 2016 to 6.9 % in 2018. Since the 0.88% improve in 2014, poverty gap at $5.5 a day sank by 39.47% in 2018. Poverty gap at $5.50 a day (2011 PPP) is the mean shortfall in income or consumption from the poverty line $5.50 a day (counting the nonpoor as having zero shortfall), expressed as a percentage of the poverty line. This measure reflects the depth of poverty as well as its incidence.

This table contains subnational multidimensional poverty trends data from the data tables published by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), University of Oxford. The global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) measures multidimensional poverty in over 100 developing countries, using internationally comparable datasets and is updated annually. The measure captures the severe deprivations that each person faces at the same time using information from 10 indicators, which are grouped into three equally weighted dimensions: health, education, and living standards. The global MPI methodology is detailed in Alkire, Kanagaratnam & Suppa (2023).

Mexico MX: Income Share Held by Lowest 10% data was reported at 2.200 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 2.000 % for 2014. Mexico MX: Income Share Held by Lowest 10% data is updated yearly, averaging 1.700 % from Dec 1984 (Median) to 2016, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.200 % in 2016 and a record low of 1.400 % in 2000. Mexico MX: Income Share Held by Lowest 10% data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.World Bank.WDI: Poverty. Percentage share of income or consumption is the share that accrues to subgroups of population indicated by deciles or quintiles.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

The poverty rate in Mexico accounted for almost 36 percent of the country's population in 2022, a decrease of 7.6 percentage points when compared with the rate from 2020. The state of Mexico was the state with the highest number of people living in poverty in 2022.

Mexico MX: Income Share Held by Highest 20% data was reported at 50.100 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 52.200 % for 2014. Mexico MX: Income Share Held by Highest 20% data is updated yearly, averaging 53.800 % from Dec 1984 (Median) to 2016, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 56.500 % in 2000 and a record low of 50.100 % in 2016. Mexico MX: Income Share Held by Highest 20% data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.World Bank.WDI: Poverty. Percentage share of income or consumption is the share that accrues to subgroups of population indicated by deciles or quintiles. Percentage shares by quintile may not sum to 100 because of rounding.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.