INEGI sets monthly household income at 23,451 pesos to qualify as middle class in Mexico’s urban areas

The National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) redefines the middle class in Mexico through a multidimensional approach that goes beyond mere economic income. This classification integrates key variables such as educational attainment, lifestyle, consumption patterns, and access to durable goods like internet and automobiles. This holistic method enables a better understanding of households’ actual well-being, recognizing that membership in this stratum depends on a comprehensive assessment of quality of life and consumption capacity. The data reveal significant geographic disparities in the economic thresholds required to belong to this group, showing considerable gaps between urban and rural areas. Additionally, an average profile is identified, characterized by small families, married heads of household with upper-secondary education, and formal employment in the private sector. This structure contrasts markedly with the upper class, whose presence is concentrated exclusively in urban environments and requires substantially higher incomes, thereby highlighting the country’s structural inequality. This study is relevant to the field of open data by demonstrating the need for complex yet accessible socioeconomic metrics. By publishing disaggregated data on consumption, education, and housing, institutions foster transparency and enable precise comparative analyses. This facilitates the development of evidence-based public policies and promotes the use of high-quality public information to understand social dynamics, illustrating how the availability of detailed data is crucial for measuring society’s real progress.

Source: elimparcial.com
Published on 2026-10-16

INEGI sets monthly household income at 23,451 pesos to qualify as middle class in Mexico’s urban areas

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