Income gap in Mexico: Are you middle or lower class?

In Mexico, talking about social class generates constant debate. Who is truly middle class and who belongs to the lower class? INEGI clarifies this distinction through average household incomes, revealing the historical inequality that still persists.

According to the National Survey of Household Income and Expenditure (ENIGH), only 1.2% of Mexican households belong to the upper class, approximately 429,000 families. These families have an average monthly income of 77,975 pesos, compared to 22,297 pesos for the middle class and 11,343 pesos for the lower class.

Profile of the upper class:

• Average family size: 2.4 members
• Average age: 40 years
• Education: more than 15 years, majority with bachelor's degree
• Employment: 80% hold leadership positions in the public and private sectors
• Sources of income: salaries, rents, investments and own businesses

This economic diversification allows the upper class to maintain stability in the face of crises, something that other classes cannot guarantee.

The middle class represents 42.2% of households, or more than 47 million people. Their average income is around 22,297 pesos per month. This class is distinguished by:

• Relatively stable jobs
• Own or secure housing
• Saving capacity and occasional vacations
• Accessible basic and upper secondary education

Although they have a certain stability, the middle class is vulnerable to layoffs, inflation, or price increases, which can quickly push a household into the lower class.

Lower-class households, with an average income of 11,343 pesos, depend almost exclusively on menial jobs and barely cover basic needs. Food expenditure (July 2025):

• Extreme poverty: 1,856 rural pesos / 2,453 urban pesos per month
• Minimum income to avoid poverty: 3,396 rural pesos / 4,718 urban pesos

States with the greatest extreme poverty: Chiapas (27.1%), Guerrero (21.3%), Oaxaca (16.3%), Veracruz (8.8%), and Puebla (7.3%). This regional inequality reflects historical gaps in opportunity and economic development.

The National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) defines the middle class primarily by current income and the ability to cover basic needs with a certain degree of stability. A middle-class household typically:

• Have an income close to 20 thousand pesos per month
• Stable employment
• Access to basic and upper secondary education
• Decent housing
• Savings capacity and vacationsHowever, an economic shock can quickly displace a family into the lower class, highlighting the fragility of this group.

INEGI data show that the gap between social classes in Mexico is profound, not only in income, but also in education, employment, and opportunities. Understanding these parameters helps us reflect on economic policies, social justice, and personal savings and financial growth strategies.