Understanding the socio-economic landscape of Mexico involves more than just intuitive guesses; formal classifications provide a clearer picture of how income, occupation, and financial stability define the nation’s social strata. Based on data derived from the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF), the population can be categorized into several socio-economic levels.

The document identifies six primary segments:

• Low-Low: Representing approximately 35% of the population, this group consists of temporary workers, migrants, informal merchants, the unemployed, and those living on social assistance.
• Low-High: Comprising about 25% of the population, this group is primarily made up of laborers and farmers. They form the country’s physical workforce, performing demanding manual labor for wages slightly above the minimum.
• Middle-Low: This segment represents 20% of the population and includes office workers, technicians, supervisors, and skilled artisans. Their incomes are modest but stable.
• Middle-High: This group includes the majority of successful business owners and professionals with steady, substantial incomes. They account for roughly 14% of the population.
• High-Low: Composed of families whose wealth stems from just a few generations back, these households possess significant and stable incomes (approx. 5% of the population).
• High-High: This elite class consists of “old money” families who have been prominent for several generations, with fortunes so established they are often perceived as ancestral (approx. 1% of the population).

Income Disparities: The Gap Between Urban and Rural Mexico

In 2024, the average quarterly current income per household in Mexico stood at 77,864 pesos. However, this national average masks significant regional disparities. Urban households reported an average of 85,550 pesos per quarter, while rural areas saw that figure drop to 48,004 pesos.

While the National Household Expenditure Survey (ENIGH) does not officially label households as “lower,” “middle,” or “upper” class, its decile distribution offers a clear snapshot of economic status. The first four deciles represent the lowest income brackets, while deciles V through VIII represent intermediate stability. The final two deciles (IX and X) concentrate the nation’s highest earnings, with the top decile reaching 236,095 pesos.

A Slower Decline in Inequality

Economic inequality has seen a slight downward trend. The Gini coefficient—a measure of income concentration—dropped from 0.449 in 2016 to 0.391 in 2024, the lowest in the analyzed period. However, a significant portion of this reduction is attributed to social transfers and government support programs. Without these subsidies, the coefficient would have risen to 0.450, exceeding 2016 levels.

Where Does the Money Go?

The average quarterly expenditure per household in Mexico reached 47,674 pesos. Food and beverages remain the largest expense, accounting for 17,982 pesos. Other primary costs include transport and communications (9,319 pesos), education and recreation (4,593 pesos), and housing/basic services (4,346 pesos). Smaller portions of the budget are allocated to personal care, domestic goods, clothing, and healthcare.

Work Remains the Economic Engine

Labor remains the primary driver of the Mexican economy. Data from the 2024 ENIGH shows that 65.6% of total current quarterly income comes from employment. Social transfers and government support provide 17.7%, while rent from owned property accounts for 11.6%. Other sources, such as property rentals, contribute a mere 4.9% to the national income share.