MEXICO CITY — Mexico received more bad economic news Friday with a report that shows poverty is steadily on the rise.
The number of Mexicans living in poverty grew to 52 million in 2010, up by more than 3 million from two years earlier, the new report said. That means 46.2 percent of the population lives in poverty.
Within that group, 11.7 million people live in extreme poverty, a figure that held steady over the same period.
The report was produced by the National Council for the Evaluation of Social Development Policy, an autonomous but federally financed agency, and represents the most comprehensive study of poverty to date.
The government, which has sought to portray Mexico’s economic standing in an optimistic light, blamed the poverty numbers on the global financial crisis that sent Mexico into a recession in 2009 and the worldwide increase in food prices.
“This government like no other has sought to give opportunity to the poor,” President Felipe Calderon said in response to the report.
Heriberto Felix Guerra, who as minister of social development is in charge of poverty-reduction programs, also defended the government’s efforts. He said the administration took steps to contain the damage from the global financial meltdown of 2008-09, which started in the U.S., Mexico’s most important economic partner.
The council defines poverty as a monthly earning in urban zones of less than 2,114 pesos, or about $180. Extreme poverty is below 978 pesos, or about $83.
Numbers
52 million Mexicans living in poverty in 2010, up more than 3 million from 2008. Poverty is defined by monthly income of less than $180.
11.7 million Mexicans living in extreme poverty, which is defined as monthly income of less than $83
