ARIZONA & MEXICO

education graduation rate in 2012 was 19% compared to 14% in 2000 2 (see table 2). There was also an
increase in the labor force participation rates from 60% in 2006 to 62% in 2014 3 (see table 1).
Table 2: Post-Secondary Graduation Rates in Mexico
Post-Seconary Graduation Rates
(Percent of adults ages 25-65)
2000 2005 2010 2012
14 17 18 19
In 2014, Mexico reported 53.3% 4 of the population living at or below the poverty level. The average real
wage in Mexico has declined from $13,765 in 1990 to $12,952 in 2013. 5 As discussed in prior chapters,
the decline in value of the Mexican Peso makes U.S. goods and services more expensive. The increase in
U.S. purchasing power, however, makes Mexican goods and services more affordable.
A RELATIVELY POPULOUS AND PROSPEROUS COMMUNITY ACROSS ARIZONA’S SOUTHWEST
BORDER
A relatively high population, low unemployment rates, and an underdeveloped workforce characterize
the region, just south of the border. Within 40 miles from the San Luis Arizona border, there are
approximately 2 million people with the majority residing in San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora and
Mexicali, Baja California. 6 Among this population, the unemployment rate consistently hovers around
5.5% 7 compared to an average of 4.1% 8 regionally and 4% 9 nationally. Less than 20%, however, are
enrolled in post-secondary education with 23% 10 enrolled in secondary education. The local Mexican
labor force meets most of the labor demand of the maquiladora industry. However, many highly skilled
and senior management positions are filled with foreign nationals. Over 9% of the population in Mexicali
are foreign nationals with 8.4% 11 coming from the United States. The region south of the border
performs better in the area of employment but also demonstrates a need for workforce development.
BI-NATIONAL EFFORTS
Source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
In response to these and other considerations, bi-national efforts for collaboration between Mexico and
the United States are evident in several government created organizations and agreements.
Classic agreements for bi-national collaboration are the emergency response plans and bi-national
health efforts, but most agreements focus on economic development and related issues.
2
OECD’s “Education at-a-glance” report 2012 found at http://www.oecd.org/edu/eag.htm
3
http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.CACT.ZS?page=1
4
http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.NAHC/countries
5
https://data.oecd.org/earnwage/average-wages.htm
6
Information sociodemografica elaborada por el COESPO-Sonora base a http://www.inegi.org.mx and Panorama sociodemografica
de Baja California, http://www.inegi.org.mx
7
Panorama sociodemografica de Baja California, http://www.inegi.org.mx
8
The average of Baja California 3.6% and Sonora 4.7% as of December 2015, http://www.stps.gob.mx/bp/secciones/conoce/
areas_atencion/areas_atencion/web/pdf/perfiles/perfil%20baja%20california.pdf, http://www.stps.gob.mx/bp/secciones/
conoce/areas_atencion/areas_atencion/web/pdf/perfiles/perfil%20sonora.pdf
9
As of December 2015. http://www.inegi.org.mx/sistemas/bie/cuadrosestadisticos/GeneraCuadro.aspx?s=est&nc=621&c=
25447
10
Panorama sociodemografica de Baja California, http://www.inegi.org.mx
11
COPLADE, con informacion de CONAPO http://www.copladebc.gob.mx
75 • ARIZONA & MEXICO • ARIZONA TOWN HALL • APRIL 2016