EU-27 and Mexico: basic statistical indicators

Mexico is the second-largest economy in Latin America (after Brazil), with strong economic ties to the USA. As an emerging nation with a key geostrategic position, Mexico has been developing fast over the past decade, but it was also hit by the global economic crisis. This can be seen in a downturn in Mexico’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2009 and a sharp decrease in goods trade with the EU-27, Mexico’s second most important trading partner after the USA. With an abundant labour force and youthful population, Mexico’s labour market is under pressure. Considering that ‘employability’ rises considerably with tertiary education, efforts have been made to improve the Mexican education system: public expenditure on education has increased, but it remains below EU-27 levels.