Mexico's population: a profile.

PIP: Mexico's population is estimated at 82 million in 1987, making it the 2nd most populous country of Latin America after Brazil. This demographic explosion is a classic example of what occurs when modern technology is suddenly infused into a traditional society: death rates decline rapidly due to improved health care and better living standards, while the birth rate remains high. In 1973, the pronatalist law on population dating from 1947 was drastically revised, signalling the start of a series of direct and indirect measures to reduce population growth. Today, slow economic growth and capital scarcity make it difficult to create new industries that might provide some employment. Mexican workers have been migrating to the US since the 1800s, but more are entering the US now than ever before. Rural-to-urban migration in Mexico is creating a drop in food production and putting severe strains on city housing, school systems, transportation, and medical facilities. The new immigration law introduced by the US Congress adds a new dimension to Mexico's future; Mexicans fear that the return of 1000s of workers will have severe repercussions on their economy, as the numbers of unemployed will increase. Overall, strong structural changes, close to the root of the problem, are needed. In this case, a revival of the Mexican economy, using a determined population policy is 1 strategy.^ieng