13.4 Million Mexicans Lifted Out of Poverty During López Obrador’s Presidency

Mexico has recorded one of the most significant social shifts in its modern history. New data from INEGI shows that 13.4 million Mexicans left poverty between 2018 and 2024. The share of the population living in multidimensional poverty fell from 41.9 percent in 2018 to 29.6 percent in 2024. These figures mark the sharpest decline in decades and highlight the impact of policies tied to the country’s Fourth Transformation.

The Numbers Behind Mexico’s Poverty Reduction

In 2018, 51.9 million Mexicans were living in poverty. By 2024 that figure had dropped to 38.5 million. Extreme poverty also decreased, offering relief to the most vulnerable households. Between 2022 and 2024 alone, 8.3 million people rose above the poverty line. The Washington Post, Reuters, and El País each reported the figures, describing them as a historic achievement. INEGI stressed that the decline covered both urban and rural populations, confirming a nationwide impact.

Some outlets report 8.3 million, reflecting the reduction between 2022 and 2024. The broader six-year decline from 2018 to 2024 totals 13.4 million.

Humanist Policies Driving Poverty Reduction in Mexico

Government programs were central to the decline. Cash transfers expanded for pensioners, children, and students. Millions of elderly Mexicans began receiving universal pensions that secured a basic income. Scholarship programs reduced dropout rates in schools. Public investment in infrastructure, such as the Tren Maya and the Dos Bocas refinery, boosted employment. Fuel subsidies protected households during global inflation shocks. Together, these measures created stability at a moment when many countries faced rising poverty after the pandemic.

The government framed its strategy as Mexican Humanism. This approach placed the dignity of citizens at the center of national policy. Images of smiling pensioners and young students symbolized a shift toward inclusion. In rural communities, improved housing and expanded education access offered families a sense of security. Indigenous regions, long excluded from development, saw some of the most visible progress. These stories gave numbers a human face and strengthened public trust in the transformation.

The reduction in poverty shaped the legacy of former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador and set the tone for Claudia Sheinbaum’s new administration. Supporters view the results as proof that large-scale social investment can change lives. International observers noted that Mexico now stands as a regional reference point in poverty reduction. While economists debate the sustainability of high public spending, the achievement has already altered global perceptions of what is possible when a government makes poverty reduction a central priority.

Final Thoughts

Between 2018 and 2024, Mexico lifted 13.4 million people out of poverty. The figures reveal a country that chose human-centered policies during one of the hardest economic periods in recent memory. The achievement has reshaped public life, strengthened national confidence, and left a legacy that will influence Mexico’s future for years to come.