Many people assume that Mexico is a 3rd world country or developing nation. After all, it’s home to some of the world’s poorest people, and its cities are filled with slums where people live without access to clean water, plumbing, electricity, and other basic necessities. However, this view is an oversimplification that overlooks the many advantages that Mexico has over developing nations in Africa, Asia, and South America. In fact, Mexico is the 1st world country with strong economic ties to 3rd world countries. Let’s take a closer look at why so many people think Mexico is a 3rd world country and see if that conclusion still stands when you strip away all the details.
Is Mexico A 3rd World Country?
Yes, Mexico is considered a third-world country. This is because it has a lower level of development than many other countries, and its people have a lower standard of living. Additionally, Mexico is classified as a lower-middle-income country by the World Bank.
Why Do So Many People Think Mexico Is A 3rd World Country?
- Mexico is home to some of the world’s poorest people.
- Mexico has a large population living in slums.
- There are many poor people in Mexico who can’t get an education, can’t get a job, and have no access to clean water or other basic necessities.
- Many Mexican children work on farms instead of going to school because their parents are too poor to support them otherwise.
- Many Mexican women work as prostitutes because they have no other way of making money for their families.
- Mexico imports many goods from 3rd world countries and exports few products itself, which makes it seem like a developing country that relies on others for its prosperity rather than being self-sufficient like 1st world countries are supposed to be.
- Mexico’s economy is very unstable and its currency fluctuates wildly, which only makes it seem more like a developing nation than a 1st world country with stable economic growth that 1st world citizens enjoy as part of their standard of living and quality of life in general.
- The Mexican government has trouble providing basic services such as police protection and fire departments throughout the country, which increases crime rates and makes the entire country seem less stable than 1st world countries are supposed to be with their well-organized governments that provide citizens with all the services they need to live safe and comfortable lives free from crime or violence in general.
The Problem With The Term “3rd World Country”
It’s not a legal or political definition
The term “3rd world country” was coined by the French demographer Alfred Sauvy to describe countries that were not aligned with either the West (1st world) or the communist East (2nd world). It wasn’t intended to be a term of legal or political significance, so it doesn’t have any official meaning.
It doesn’t include all developing countries
3rd world countries are usually defined as those that don’t have a high level of industrialization, aren’t very developed, and don’t possess significant natural resources. This definition excludes many nations that are still developing despite having high levels of industrialization, large populations and/or significant natural resources such as Brazil, Argentina, and South Africa.
It doesn’t account for disparities within a country
It also ignores disparities between different regions or socioeconomic groups within a nation (as in Mexico). For example, Mexico City is one of the most modern cities in Latin America while many rural villages in Oaxaca still lack electricity and running water. In fact, some people refer to Mexico as two separate nations due to its extreme disparities between wealthy urban elites and poor rural laborers who live in shantytowns called “colonies popular.”
It ignores cultural differences
Another problem with defining Mexico as a 3rd world country is that it ignores the country’s rich cultural heritage. Mexico has a long history of art, music, literature and architecture that dates back to the Mayan civilization. In fact, Mexico is home to many indigenous people who practice their own unique forms of art and culture that are separate from mainstream Mexican culture.
It can be misleading or false
Another problem with the term “3rd world country” is that it can mislead people into thinking that all 3rd world countries are exactly alike when they’re not. For example, you could classify Kenya and Bangladesh as 3rd world countries based on their level of industrialization and poverty levels, but they have very different cultures and legal systems (Kenya is a democracy while Bangladesh is a military dictatorship).
It’s often used as a derogatory term by critics of certain nations
The term “3rd world country” has also been used by critics of certain nations to describe those with whom they disagree politically or economically (e.g., China, Cuba, and Venezuela). These critics usually use “3rd world country” as an insult rather than an accurate description based on hard facts about a nation’s development level or political system.
Mexico’s Real Position In The Global Economy
Mexico’s economy is closely tied to the U.S.
Mexico’s economy depends far more on the U.S. than it does on other Latin American countries. In fact, Mexico sends 80% of its exports to the U.S., which are then used in turn to supply American manufacturers and businesses that produce for the American market. Therefore, when you look at Mexico you’re essentially looking at a 1st world country that is closely tied to 3rd world countries in Africa, Asia, and South America through global trade networks.
Mexico has a growing middle class with disposable income
Although many Mexican workers still live in poverty, most of them work in factories that pay middle-class wages that give them enough money to buy consumer goods like cars, refrigerators, TVs, and even computers and mobile phones. This makes Mexico a large market for consumer goods produced by 3rd world countries like China and India – products that often bear an “Assembled in Mexico” label as they cross the border into the United States after being made overseas by poor workers who are paid less than Mexican workers (and sometimes even less than illegal immigrants from Latin America). When you purchase these products, you help support the economies of developing nations while also enriching Mexico’s own middle class – a group of consumers who are constantly looking for new ways to spend their money on consumer goods made by foreign companies that can be shipped back across the border.
Mexico’s economy is growing quickl
Mexico’s economy has been growing at an impressive rate for years now, and the average Mexican worker is earning enough money to afford basic necessities like food, clothing, housing, and transportation. In fact, Mexico’s economy is expanding so fast that it has attracted investments from other countries that want to get in on the action. For example, China has already invested billions of dollars in Mexico’s energy sector and other industries that are expected to grow over the coming decades. This means that Mexico will have access to low-cost labor and materials as it continues to build its own manufacturing industry while also helping China expand its own markets around the world.
Mexico attracts plenty of foreign investment
Mexican factories are built in the American capital but they often produce goods for sale in third world countries where wages are even lower than they are in Mexico itself – a country that already has a reputation for paying its workers very little. Therefore, when you look at Mexico you really need to consider it as a 1st world country with strong economic ties to developing nations all over the world – countries that pay their workers much less than American or Mexican workers earn for their labor. For example, consider garments made in Bangladesh or toys made in China – products that you can buy at Walmart or Target after they have been imported from overseas by middle-class Mexicans who earn more than factory workers around the world earn for their labor.
Mexico is a strong military power
Mexico maintains a large and modernized military that has the capacity to defend its borders from terrorist attacks and to maintain order in the country’s many troubled provinces. As a result, the Mexican people have enjoyed a period of relative peace and stability since the end of their civil war in the 1920s – something that is still rare in other countries throughout Latin America. This strong military presence also makes it easier for Mexico to negotiate with powerful governments like China and Russia, allowing it to secure favorable trade agreements that benefit its own economy while also helping those countries expand their own markets around the world. For example, Mexico has already negotiated free-trade agreements with both China and Russia while also working closely with them on other economic projects that will help them develop new manufacturing facilities that can produce goods for sale in North America and Europe.
The Benefits Of Being A 1st World Country
- The standard of living in Mexico is higher than that of all 3rd world countries.
- Mexico has a well-developed infrastructure, which includes major highways and airports.
- The economy has a high Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the nation’s currency is strong, backed by gold reserves.
- The Mexican government provides its citizens with social services including free education, medical insurance, and housing for many who need it.
- Mexican citizens enjoy a high level of freedom and respect for human rights, including the right to vote and to practice any religion or none at all if preferred.
- Mexico has a democratic government that is responsive to the needs of its citizens through public participation in elections and other forms of civic engagement.
- The nation’s unemployment rate is low compared to most 3rd world countries, plus it offers job opportunities in all areas of economic activity including agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation services, and information technology (IT).
- Mexico offers cultural activities such as art galleries, museums, libraries, and theaters for those who enjoy them; plus plenty of places for recreation such as parks, golf courses, and beaches where people can relax after work or on weekends or holidays.
Conclusion
The term 3rd world country has been criticized for being a very broad brush term that lumps all poor, less developed countries together. When we look at the data, it’s clear that Mexico is a 1st world country. In fact, some people have even gone as far as to call Mexico a 4th-world country. Indeed, 1st world countries tend to have more stable governments, lower rates of death due to preventable causes, and lower cost of living compared to 2nd and 3rd world countries. This makes Mexico an excellent place to live if you are looking for a cheap place to live, want to retire on a fixed income, or if you just want to live in a developed, 1st world country.