The gain before the pain The Economist By: Hallie Ervin

Less Babies, More Grandparents Since the 1960’s where Mexican women would have 7 children each, (on average), are now having 2.4 (on average), and this rate is expected to drop below 2 before And in the 1960’s people did not live beyond the age of 50 or so, but now the life expectancy is 77. This is changing the demographics from being a young people’s country to now having a large retired community.

The Change The rapid population growth of the 1960’s was encouraged by the government, but in the 1970’s infant mortality rates dropped, removing the need for “spare” children. Now a-days, abortion is illegal in most of the country, and 40% of married women are sterilized. Because of the drop in birth rate, the dependency ratio has improved, however it will rise again in a decade. But even with this low birth rate, Mexico’s population is expected to grow 57% from

The Problems Once the dependency ratio begins to rise again, Mexico will require a new and improved welfare net for the older, retired generation that will require assistance in old age. Without any legislation being submitted to prepare for the rise of the dependency ratio, the government will be ill-equipped to help its people.