Mexico

Jalisco has made notable progress in economic growth and business development over the years. However, the state continues to face significant challenges in reducing inequalities and addressing the digital divide.

Mexico is a country with a relatively large youth population, including at-risk young people who face an interlinked set of economic, personal and health security challenges that limit them from reaching their full potential. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these challenges, exposing many of the most vulnerable adolescents and children to an increased risk of exploitation, violence, abuse, and impoverishment. While the national government has made important efforts to address these challenges, the pandemic provided an opportunity to further bolster youth engagement in processes to determine development priorities, particularly in areas where they face the greatest obstacles including employment, health care and social protection policies. ​

Over the past 15 years, states in the southern border of Mexico have become an important transit destination for thousands of irregular migrants. Most travel from Central America driven by persistent poverty, food insecurity, natural disasters and violence in their home countries. On their journey, these vulnerable migrants face extreme hardship and physical insecurity as they travel with limited access to basic shelter and essential social services. ​