Mexico’s Economy

When it comes to Mexico, all many people really know is “siesta” and “fiesta.” In truth, Mexico has rebuilt itself — following 1994’s peso crisis — into one of the Western hemisphere’s most important economies. The country’s July 2 presidential election provides the occasion for our new Globalist Factsheet.

What is Mexico’s crisis history

Until 2000, Mexico has had a financial crisis at the end of every five-year presidential term in the past 25 years.
Wall Street Journal

What is the situation right now?

In the first quarter of 2000, Mexico’s economy grew by 7.9%.
Financial Times

How is the record of Mexico’s trading?

For 2000, the total value of Mexican two-way trade is expected to exceed $300 billion — or well over 60% of Mexico’s GDP.
Economic Strategy Institute

Where do Mexicans live?

As of 1999, more than 20% of Mexico’s 100 million people live in Mexico City and its suburbs.
Washington Post

How does Mexico’s economy rank?

With a GDP of around $417 billion in 1999, Mexico was the world’s eleventh largest economy. It also was the eleventh largest country in terms of population.
OECD, World Bank

How does corporate Mexico compare to the Untied States?

At the end of 1999, the 190 companies traded on Mexico City’s stock exchange was $154 billion. That is only slightly higher than the market capitalization of Sun Microsystems, the 16th largest U.S. company.
The Globalist

What is the state of Mexico’s oil industry?

Oil production contributed just 1.7% of Mexico’s total economic output in 1999, down from 6% in 1983.
Washington Post

Is Oil still important to Mexico’s economy?

As of 2000, Mexico’s oil exports finance about 40% of the national budget.
International Economy

Is the country a major oil producer?

As of 2000, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela account for about 20% of the world's oil supply.
Washington Post

How “Mexican” is the United States?

Immigrants from Mexico represent 30% of the foreign-born population of the United States. However, only 15% of Mexican immigrants had become naturalized U.S. citizens by 1997.
U.S. Bureau of the Census

What were the consequences of NAFTA?

After joining NAFTA in 1994, Mexico’s share of trade with the EU fell from nearly 9% to just over 6% by 1997.
Economist

How popular is Mexico as a U.S. tourist destination?

In 1999, about 25 million U.S. citizens traveled overseas — but 35 million people traveled to either Canada or Mexico.
Washington Post