Measuring social progress for the 32 states in Mexico from 2015 to 2022 with the Social Progress Index.
For the fifth consecutive year, our partner México, ¿cómo vamos? released the Social Progress Index scores for the 32 Mexican states, with support from us and INCAE Business School. The latest edition measures social and environmental wellbeing from 2015 to 2022, enabling the tracking of progress and trend analysis. Using the Social Progress Index framework, we publish a scorecard for each state, detailing performance across 52 indicators. The Index is also a robust SDG metric. It doesn't measure economic indicators directly, providing a unique perspective on progress and a full picture of people's living conditions. Additionally, we released a report highlighting key lessons:
For the fifth consecutive year, our partner México, ¿cómo vamos? released the Social Progress Index scores for the 32 Mexican states, with support from us and INCAE Business School. The latest edition measures social and environmental wellbeing from 2015 to 2022, enabling the tracking of progress and trend analysis. Using the Social Progress Index framework, we publish a scorecard for each state, detailing performance across 52 indicators. The Index is also a robust SDG metric. It doesn't measure economic indicators directly, providing a unique perspective on progress and a full picture of people's living conditions. Additionally, we released a report highlighting key lessons:
Considering only 2022, the five entities with the best performance are Mexico City, Aguascalientes, Nuevo León, Jalisco and Baja California Sur. On the other hand, the five states with the worst performance are Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz and Tabasco—the first three mentioned have been the lowest performers on record.
The analysis conducted in the SPI shows that, while a high level of per capita GDP is a necessary condition for social progress, it is not sufficient if not accompanied by public policies aimed at taking advantage of available economic resources in a sustainable manner in order to drive inclusive social development. Likewise, the relationship between the SPI’s dimensions with labor poverty is clear: if more people face this situation, the lower the state's score will be.
Source: México, ¿cómo vamos?
When analyzing the percentage of the population in each state reporting a lack of access to health services, it is observed that as the percentage of the population with this deficiency increases, the state shows a lower SPI score. It is important to mention that in 2022, there was a very significant increase in the percentage of the population with this deficiency, as a consequence of a significant decrease in the population affiliated with public institutions, regardless of their employment status. This deterioration in access to health services, specifically public services, has significant implications in the medium run in terms of progress and social mobility, especially in states with a greater lag.
Additionally, indicators related to integration with global value chains at the state level are contrasted with the SPI. This analysis further shows that nearshoring investments are concentrated in states with high scores in social progress, which possess the necessary infrastructure to engage in international trade and a robust human capital to address labor needs. Meanwhile, there are states that lack the conditions to benefit from nearshoring, as is the case in the southern and southeastern regions of Mexico. Thus, nearshoring alone is not sufficient to translate into inclusive social progress; the involvement of all three levels of government is essential to create the necessary conditions for social progress, enabling more states to benefit from investment flows and preventing the widening of social progress gaps in our country.
Source: México, ¿cómo vamos?
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Finally, the impact of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 across the country's states serves as evidence of the importance of achieving greater social progress and specifically, closing persistent gaps. When assessing changes in per capita GDP and the SPI score between 2019 and 2021, years in which the most significant impact of the pandemic was concentrated, it stands out that among the 30 states that experienced a decline in their SPI score, the pandemic's impact on social progress was more pronounced in states with lower per capita GDP.
In this group of states experiencing significant losses, Guerrero demonstrated resilience in the context of the pandemic by showing an increase in its SPI despite a decline in its per capita GDP. This resilience is attributed to the fact that its increase in mortality rates, considered in the index, was lower than observed in other states, particularly in densely populated areas such as Mexico City. However, it is important to note that the state had already shown a decrease of 1.8 points in its SPI from 2018 to 2019, and as of 2022, it ranks 32nd among all states.
Therefore, the observed resilience should be approached with caution and within the context of the state's conditions in response to the pandemic shock. In the face of a different crisis, such as Hurricane Otis in 2023, the impact on social progress can be very significant due to the destruction of economic units and, consequently, employment. Guerrero is a state where more than 70% of the employed population is in the informal labor market. If this informality were to intensify as a consequence of the damage caused by Hurricane Otis, the implications for social progress would be alarming.
Source: México, ¿cómo vamos?
According to the Global Social Progress Index, since 2011, the European Union has improved on social progress while the US has declined. However, this is largely due to the US backslide as opposed to the EU making great strides. As we see, social progress has stalled across Europe with the most significant decreases in Austria (-0.77), Lithuania (-0.62), Spain (-0.49), Slovakia (-0.47) and Croatia (-0.41).
In the UK the social progress has declined by 0.39 points since 2011 and it has fallen 8 places in the ranks since 2011 to 21st in 2023. As in the US, the UK decline is largely driven by declining rights and inclusiveness.
Finally, the impact of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 across the country's states serves as evidence of the importance of achieving greater social progress and specifically, closing persistent gaps. When assessing changes in per capita GDP and the SPI score between 2019 and 2021, years in which the most significant impact of the pandemic was concentrated, it stands out that among the 30 states that experienced a decline in their SPI score, the pandemic's impact on social progress was more pronounced in states with lower per capita GDP.
In this group of states experiencing significant losses, Guerrero demonstrated resilience in the context of the pandemic by showing an increase in its SPI despite a decline in its per capita GDP. This resilience is attributed to the fact that its increase in mortality rates, considered in the index, was lower than observed in other states, particularly in densely populated areas such as Mexico City. However, it is important to note that the state had already shown a decrease of 1.8 points in its SPI from 2018 to 2019, and as of 2022, it ranks 32nd among all states.
Therefore, the observed resilience should be approached with caution and within the context of the state's conditions in response to the pandemic shock. In the face of a different crisis, such as Hurricane Otis in 2023, the impact on social progress can be very significant due to the destruction of economic units and, consequently, employment. Guerrero is a state where more than 70% of the employed population is in the informal labor market. If this informality were to intensify as a consequence of the damage caused by Hurricane Otis, the implications for social progress would be alarming.
Source: México, ¿cómo vamos?
Considering only 2022, the five entities with the best performance are Mexico City, Aguascalientes, Nuevo León, Jalisco and Baja California Sur. On the other hand, the five states with the worst performance are Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz and Tabasco—the first three mentioned have been the lowest performers on record.
The analysis conducted in the SPI shows that, while a high level of per capita GDP is a necessary condition for social progress, it is not sufficient if not accompanied by public policies aimed at taking advantage of available economic resources in a sustainable manner in order to drive inclusive social development. Likewise, the relationship between the SPI’s dimensions with labor poverty is clear: if more people face this situation, the lower the state's score will be.
Source: México, ¿cómo vamos?
When analyzing the percentage of the population in each state reporting a lack of access to health services, it is observed that as the percentage of the population with this deficiency increases, the state shows a lower SPI score. It is important to mention that in 2022, there was a very significant increase in the percentage of the population with this deficiency, as a consequence of a significant decrease in the population affiliated with public institutions, regardless of their employment status. This deterioration in access to health services, specifically public services, has significant implications in the medium run in terms of progress and social mobility, especially in states with a greater lag.
Additionally, indicators related to integration with global value chains at the state level are contrasted with the SPI. This analysis further shows that nearshoring investments are concentrated in states with high scores in social progress, which possess the necessary infrastructure to engage in international trade and a robust human capital to address labor needs. Meanwhile, there are states that lack the conditions to benefit from nearshoring, as is the case in the southern and southeastern regions of Mexico. Thus, nearshoring alone is not sufficient to translate into inclusive social progress; the involvement of all three levels of government is essential to create the necessary conditions for social progress, enabling more states to benefit from investment flows and preventing the widening of social progress gaps in our country.
Source: México, ¿cómo vamos?
Finally, the impact of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 across the country's states serves as evidence of the importance of achieving greater social progress and specifically, closing persistent gaps. When assessing changes in per capita GDP and the SPI score between 2019 and 2021, years in which the most significant impact of the pandemic was concentrated, it stands out that among the 30 states that experienced a decline in their SPI score, the pandemic's impact on social progress was more pronounced in states with lower per capita GDP.
In this group of states experiencing significant losses, Guerrero demonstrated resilience in the context of the pandemic by showing an increase in its SPI despite a decline in its per capita GDP. This resilience is attributed to the fact that its increase in mortality rates, considered in the index, was lower than observed in other states, particularly in densely populated areas such as Mexico City. However, it is important to note that the state had already shown a decrease of 1.8 points in its SPI from 2018 to 2019, and as of 2022, it ranks 32nd among all states.
Therefore, the observed resilience should be approached with caution and within the context of the state's conditions in response to the pandemic shock. In the face of a different crisis, such as Hurricane Otis in 2023, the impact on social progress can be very significant due to the destruction of economic units and, consequently, employment. Guerrero is a state where more than 70% of the employed population is in the informal labor market. If this informality were to intensify as a consequence of the damage caused by Hurricane Otis, the implications for social progress would be alarming.
Source: México, ¿cómo vamos?
Considering only 2022, the five entities with the best performance are Mexico City, Aguascalientes, Nuevo León, Jalisco and Baja California Sur. On the other hand, the five states with the worst performance are Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz and Tabasco—the first three mentioned have been the lowest performers on record.
Finally, the impact of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 across the country's states serves as evidence of the importance of achieving greater social progress and specifically, closing persistent gaps. When assessing changes in per capita GDP and the SPI score between 2019 and 2021, years in which the most significant impact of the pandemic was concentrated, it stands out that among the 30 states that experienced a decline in their SPI score, the pandemic's impact on social progress was more pronounced in states with lower per capita GDP.
In this group of states experiencing significant losses, Guerrero demonstrated resilience in the context of the pandemic by showing an increase in its SPI despite a decline in its per capita GDP. This resilience is attributed to the fact that its increase in mortality rates, considered in the index, was lower than observed in other states, particularly in densely populated areas such as Mexico City. However, it is important to note that the state had already shown a decrease of 1.8 points in its SPI from 2018 to 2019, and as of 2022, it ranks 32nd among all states.
Therefore, the observed resilience should be approached with caution and within the context of the state's conditions in response to the pandemic shock. In the face of a different crisis, such as Hurricane Otis in 2023, the impact on social progress can be very significant due to the destruction of economic units and, consequently, employment. Guerrero is a state where more than 70% of the employed population is in the informal labor market. If this informality were to intensify as a consequence of the damage caused by Hurricane Otis, the implications for social progress would be alarming.
Source: México, ¿cómo vamos?
The analysis conducted in the SPI shows that, while a high level of per capita GDP is a necessary condition for social progress, it is not sufficient if not accompanied by public policies aimed at taking advantage of available economic resources in a sustainable manner in order to drive inclusive social development. Likewise, the relationship between the SPI’s dimensions with labor poverty is clear: if more people face this situation, the lower the state's score will be.
Source: México, ¿cómo vamos?
When analyzing the percentage of the population in each state reporting a lack of access to health services, it is observed that as the percentage of the population with this deficiency increases, the state shows a lower SPI score. It is important to mention that in 2022, there was a very significant increase in the percentage of the population with this deficiency, as a consequence of a significant decrease in the population affiliated with public institutions, regardless of their employment status. This deterioration in access to health services, specifically public services, has significant implications in the medium run in terms of progress and social mobility, especially in states with a greater lag.
Additionally, indicators related to integration with global value chains at the state level are contrasted with the SPI. This analysis further shows that nearshoring investments are concentrated in states with high scores in social progress, which possess the necessary infrastructure to engage in international trade and a robust human capital to address labor needs. Meanwhile, there are states that lack the conditions to benefit from nearshoring, as is the case in the southern and southeastern regions of Mexico. Thus, nearshoring alone is not sufficient to translate into inclusive social progress; the involvement of all three levels of government is essential to create the necessary conditions for social progress, enabling more states to benefit from investment flows and preventing the widening of social progress gaps in our country.
Source: México, ¿cómo vamos?
Considering only 2022, the five entities with the best performance are Mexico City, Aguascalientes, Nuevo León, Jalisco and Baja California Sur. On the other hand, the five states with the worst performance are Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz and Tabasco—the first three mentioned have been the lowest performers on record.
The analysis conducted in the SPI shows that, while a high level of per capita GDP is a necessary condition for social progress, it is not sufficient if not accompanied by public policies aimed at taking advantage of available economic resources in a sustainable manner in order to drive inclusive social development. Likewise, the relationship between the SPI’s dimensions with labor poverty is clear: if more people face this situation, the lower the state's score will be.
Source: México, ¿cómo vamos?
When analyzing the percentage of the population in each state reporting a lack of access to health services, it is observed that as the percentage of the population with this deficiency increases, the state shows a lower SPI score. It is important to mention that in 2022, there was a very significant increase in the percentage of the population with this deficiency, as a consequence of a significant decrease in the population affiliated with public institutions, regardless of their employment status. This deterioration in access to health services, specifically public services, has significant implications in the medium run in terms of progress and social mobility, especially in states with a greater lag.
Additionally, indicators related to integration with global value chains at the state level are contrasted with the SPI. This analysis further shows that nearshoring investments are concentrated in states with high scores in social progress, which possess the necessary infrastructure to engage in international trade and a robust human capital to address labor needs. Meanwhile, there are states that lack the conditions to benefit from nearshoring, as is the case in the southern and southeastern regions of Mexico. Thus, nearshoring alone is not sufficient to translate into inclusive social progress; the involvement of all three levels of government is essential to create the necessary conditions for social progress, enabling more states to benefit from investment flows and preventing the widening of social progress gaps in our country.
Source: México, ¿cómo vamos?
Finally, the impact of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 across the country's states serves as evidence of the importance of achieving greater social progress and specifically, closing persistent gaps. When assessing changes in per capita GDP and the SPI score between 2019 and 2021, years in which the most significant impact of the pandemic was concentrated, it stands out that among the 30 states that experienced a decline in their SPI score, the pandemic's impact on social progress was more pronounced in states with lower per capita GDP.
In this group of states experiencing significant losses, Guerrero demonstrated resilience in the context of the pandemic by showing an increase in its SPI despite a decline in its per capita GDP. This resilience is attributed to the fact that its increase in mortality rates, considered in the index, was lower than observed in other states, particularly in densely populated areas such as Mexico City. However, it is important to note that the state had already shown a decrease of 1.8 points in its SPI from 2018 to 2019, and as of 2022, it ranks 32nd among all states.
Therefore, the observed resilience should be approached with caution and within the context of the state's conditions in response to the pandemic shock. In the face of a different crisis, such as Hurricane Otis in 2023, the impact on social progress can be very significant due to the destruction of economic units and, consequently, employment. Guerrero is a state where more than 70% of the employed population is in the informal labor market. If this informality were to intensify as a consequence of the damage caused by Hurricane Otis, the implications for social progress would be alarming.
Source: México, ¿cómo vamos?
Considering only 2022, the five entities with the best performance are Mexico City, Aguascalientes, Nuevo León, Jalisco and Baja California Sur. On the other hand, the five states with the worst performance are Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz and Tabasco—the first three mentioned have been the lowest performers on record.
The analysis conducted in the SPI shows that, while a high level of per capita GDP is a necessary condition for social progress, it is not sufficient if not accompanied by public policies aimed at taking advantage of available economic resources in a sustainable manner in order to drive inclusive social development. Likewise, the relationship between the SPI’s dimensions with labor poverty is clear: if more people face this situation, the lower the state's score will be.
Source: México, ¿cómo vamos?
Considering only 2022, the five entities with the best performance are Mexico City, Aguascalientes, Nuevo León, Jalisco and Baja California Sur. On the other hand, the five states with the worst performance are Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz and Tabasco—the first three mentioned have been the lowest performers on record.
The analysis conducted in the SPI shows that, while a high level of per capita GDP is a necessary condition for social progress, it is not sufficient if not accompanied by public policies aimed at taking advantage of available economic resources in a sustainable manner in order to drive inclusive social development. Likewise, the relationship between the SPI’s dimensions with labor poverty is clear: if more people face this situation, the lower the state's score will be.
Source: México, ¿cómo vamos?
The analysis conducted in the SPI shows that, while a high level of per capita GDP is a necessary condition for social progress, it is not sufficient if not accompanied by public policies aimed at taking advantage of available economic resources in a sustainable manner in order to drive inclusive social development. Likewise, the relationship between the SPI’s dimensions with labor poverty is clear: if more people face this situation, the lower the state's score will be.
Source: México, ¿cómo vamos?
The analysis conducted in the SPI shows that, while a high level of per capita GDP is a necessary condition for social progress, it is not sufficient if not accompanied by public policies aimed at taking advantage of available economic resources in a sustainable manner in order to drive inclusive social development. Likewise, the relationship between the SPI’s dimensions with labor poverty is clear: if more people face this situation, the lower the state's score will be.
Source: México, ¿cómo vamos?
Considering only 2022, the five entities with the best performance are Mexico City, Aguascalientes, Nuevo León, Jalisco and Baja California Sur. On the other hand, the five states with the worst performance are Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz and Tabasco—the first three mentioned have been the lowest performers on record.
Considering only 2022, the five entities with the best performance are Mexico City, Aguascalientes, Nuevo León, Jalisco and Baja California Sur. On the other hand, the five states with the worst performance are Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz and Tabasco—the first three mentioned have been the lowest performers on record.
Considering only 2022, the five entities with the best performance are Mexico City, Aguascalientes, Nuevo León, Jalisco and Baja California Sur. On the other hand, the five states with the worst performance are Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz and Tabasco—the first three mentioned have been the lowest performers on record.
Considering only 2022, the five entities with the best performance are Mexico City, Aguascalientes, Nuevo León, Jalisco and Baja California Sur. On the other hand, the five states with the worst performance are Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz and Tabasco—the first three mentioned have been the lowest performers on record.
The analysis conducted in the SPI shows that, while a high level of per capita GDP is a necessary condition for social progress, it is not sufficient if not accompanied by public policies aimed at taking advantage of available economic resources in a sustainable manner in order to drive inclusive social development. Likewise, the relationship between the SPI’s dimensions with labor poverty is clear: if more people face this situation, the lower the state's score will be.
Source: México, ¿cómo vamos?
When analyzing the percentage of the population in each state reporting a lack of access to health services, it is observed that as the percentage of the population with this deficiency increases, the state shows a lower SPI score. It is important to mention that in 2022, there was a very significant increase in the percentage of the population with this deficiency, as a consequence of a significant decrease in the population affiliated with public institutions, regardless of their employment status. This deterioration in access to health services, specifically public services, has significant implications in the medium run in terms of progress and social mobility, especially in states with a greater lag.
Additionally, indicators related to integration with global value chains at the state level are contrasted with the SPI. This analysis further shows that nearshoring investments are concentrated in states with high scores in social progress, which possess the necessary infrastructure to engage in international trade and a robust human capital to address labor needs. Meanwhile, there are states that lack the conditions to benefit from nearshoring, as is the case in the southern and southeastern regions of Mexico. Thus, nearshoring alone is not sufficient to translate into inclusive social progress; the involvement of all three levels of government is essential to create the necessary conditions for social progress, enabling more states to benefit from investment flows and preventing the widening of social progress gaps in our country.
Source: México, ¿cómo vamos?
Solutions to develop high quality products.
Considering only 2022, the five entities with the best performance are Mexico City, Aguascalientes, Nuevo León, Jalisco and Baja California Sur. On the other hand, the five states with the worst performance are Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz and Tabasco—the first three mentioned have been the lowest performers on record.
The analysis conducted in the SPI shows that, while a high level of per capita GDP is a necessary condition for social progress, it is not sufficient if not accompanied by public policies aimed at taking advantage of available economic resources in a sustainable manner in order to drive inclusive social development. Likewise, the relationship between the SPI’s dimensions with labor poverty is clear: if more people face this situation, the lower the state's score will be.
Source: México, ¿cómo vamos?
When analyzing the percentage of the population in each state reporting a lack of access to health services, it is observed that as the percentage of the population with this deficiency increases, the state shows a lower SPI score. It is important to mention that in 2022, there was a very significant increase in the percentage of the population with this deficiency, as a consequence of a significant decrease in the population affiliated with public institutions, regardless of their employment status. This deterioration in access to health services, specifically public services, has significant implications in the medium run in terms of progress and social mobility, especially in states with a greater lag.
Additionally, indicators related to integration with global value chains at the state level are contrasted with the SPI. This analysis further shows that nearshoring investments are concentrated in states with high scores in social progress, which possess the necessary infrastructure to engage in international trade and a robust human capital to address labor needs. Meanwhile, there are states that lack the conditions to benefit from nearshoring, as is the case in the southern and southeastern regions of Mexico. Thus, nearshoring alone is not sufficient to translate into inclusive social progress; the involvement of all three levels of government is essential to create the necessary conditions for social progress, enabling more states to benefit from investment flows and preventing the widening of social progress gaps in our country.
Source: México, ¿cómo vamos?
Finally, the impact of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 across the country's states serves as evidence of the importance of achieving greater social progress and specifically, closing persistent gaps. When assessing changes in per capita GDP and the SPI score between 2019 and 2021, years in which the most significant impact of the pandemic was concentrated, it stands out that among the 30 states that experienced a decline in their SPI score, the pandemic's impact on social progress was more pronounced in states with lower per capita GDP.
In this group of states experiencing significant losses, Guerrero demonstrated resilience in the context of the pandemic by showing an increase in its SPI despite a decline in its per capita GDP. This resilience is attributed to the fact that its increase in mortality rates, considered in the index, was lower than observed in other states, particularly in densely populated areas such as Mexico City. However, it is important to note that the state had already shown a decrease of 1.8 points in its SPI from 2018 to 2019, and as of 2022, it ranks 32nd among all states.
Therefore, the observed resilience should be approached with caution and within the context of the state's conditions in response to the pandemic shock. In the face of a different crisis, such as Hurricane Otis in 2023, the impact on social progress can be very significant due to the destruction of economic units and, consequently, employment. Guerrero is a state where more than 70% of the employed population is in the informal labor market. If this informality were to intensify as a consequence of the damage caused by Hurricane Otis, the implications for social progress would be alarming.
Source: México, ¿cómo vamos?
Explore the full results and learn more about the work that México, ¿cómo vamos? is leading.
Explore the full results and learn more about the work that México, ¿cómo vamos? is leading.
Explore the full results and learn more about the work that México, ¿cómo vamos? is leading.
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Explore the Shared Prosperity Map, an interactive tool that compares Social Progress Index scores across Mexican and American states. The Shared Prosperity Map is part of the North American Project with the goal to build a more thriving, prosperous and competitive region.
Launch event with comments of experts
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Comparing the Social Progress Index scores across US and Mexican states to offer deep insights into regional wellbeing and competitiveness for informed decisionmaking beyond economic metrics.
Improving wellbeing for the new generations across the world, the Youth Progress Index is a data insights tool used by governments, youth organizations and civil society to advocate for better social opportunities for the youth for their present and future.
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