[Demographic effects on development from 1970 to 1990]. / Efectos demograficos sobre el desarrollo, de 1970 a 1990.

PIP: Although significant advances were achieved in Mexican school enrollment and educational status between 1950 and 1970, nearly half of 1970 entrants in the labor market had fewer than 5 years of formal schooling. Fertility and population growth rates began to decline in the 1970s, and the gross national product (GNP) was still growing at the rapid rate of 6.2%, although employment in the formal sector was increasingly limited. Income distribution did not alter greatly for the poorest households; in 1970, 1977, and 1983 the poorest 40% of households received around 11% of total income. The fertility decline continued in the 1980s, but it was not homogeneous in all social groups. During 1970-86 the poorest and least educated sectors had an average of nearly 3 children more than the wealthier and better educated. The poor population grew at a rate of 3% annually, while those with higher incomes grew at 1.3%. During the 1980s the economic crisis significantly affected social spending. Government spending as a percentage of GNP declined from 8% in the 1980s to 3.8% in 1988. The GNP grew at negative rates in 1982, 1983, and 1986, and at rates below demographic growth rates in 1987 and 1988. The economically active population grew at almost 3.5% annually, while employment only increased by 0.9%. A significant proportion of the skilled labor force was obliged to seek employment in the informal sector, placing additional pressure on the poor and unskilled.^ieng