Guadalajara -
In Paris today the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development reported that Mexicans work an average 2,250 hours annually, almost 500 hours more than the norm in the 34 member nation group (1,776). And they receive significantly less for their efforts than most workers in developed nations.
According to OECD, the average annual earnings for member state workers is $34,666 U.S. dollars. In Mexico it is $9,885.
OECD was founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade. Its membership includes virtually all of Europe, the United States and Canada, as well as a few developing economies in Latin American and Asia. Mexico joined the organization in 1994. A list of OECD member nations is here.
OECD's latest report found evidence of significant challenges faced by female workers in Mexico's labor market. Only 43% of Mexican women have a job outside the home, while 78% of men do. That 35% difference is almost three times greater than the average (12%) in organization member states, where 60% of women are employed.
Other OECD comparative data reported today:
Mexico's life expectancy is 74. The average in member nations is 80.
Only 38% of Mexicans have inherent confidence in their political and governmental institutions, by far the lowest of any OECD nation. The average rating was 56% (Crime with "impunity" still the norm in much of Mexico).
Mexico easily topped the OECD violence charts, with 23.7 homicides per 100,000 persons. The U.S. homicide rate is 4.8 per 100,000, and Canada's is a mere 1.6. (Mexico is home to 5 of the 10 most violent cities in the world).
Despite their country's many challenges, surveys indicate Mexicans are a happy lot, OECD reported. Some 85% said their daily lives bring far more positives than negatives, compared to 80% in member nations. No economic data can explain that highly idiosyncratic response.
MGR note: OECD's claim that the average Mexican laborer earns almost $10,000 annually doesn't tell the whole story. Last December a Mexican statistical institute reported that 29.3 million people - almost 60% of the currently employed labor force - work in the informal economy. That's another way of saying that they're self-employed and earn a mere subsistence income. Included within their ranks are street vendors and small retailers, domestic and agriculture workers and home based businesses. Most such workers are males between the ages of 25 and 44. They receive no benefits from anyone, and enjoy none of the legal protections which employed workers have. The majority of such persons probably would be delighted to earn half of what OECD has reported. Gross economic disparity still a hard fact of Mexican life.
May 28 - American women are primary breadwinners in 40% of U.S. households
© MGRR 2013. All rights reserved. This article may be cited or briefly quoted with proper attribution or a hyperlink, but not reproduced without permission.
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