Catch-up Growth Followed by Stagnation: Mexico 1950–2008

Timothy Kehoe and Felipe Meza

Latin American Journal of Economics-formerly Cuadernos de Economía, 2011, vol. 48, issue 2, 227–268

Abstract: In 1950 Mexico entered an economic takeoff and grew rapidly for more than 30 years. Growth stopped during the crises of 1982-1995, despite major reforms, including liberalization of foreign trade and investment. Since then growth has been modest. We analyze the economic history of Mexico 1877-2010. We conclude that the growth 1950-1981 was driven by urbanization, industrialization, and education and that Mexico would have grown even more rapidly if trade and investment had been liberalized sooner. If Mexico is to resume rapid growth—so that it can approach U.S. levels of income—it needs further reforms.

Keywords: Mexico; economic growth; total factor productivity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: N16 O11 O54 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (15)

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Latin American Journal of Economics-formerly Cuadernos de Economía is currently edited by Raimundo Soto

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