Mexico Economic Research Highlights

Economic Research & Views - Mexico

Demographic and tech shifts alter the distribution of global talent

As the global economy continues to adapt to ongoing macroeconomic shocks, many countries are looking to boost human capital through training programmes, technology adoption and immigration. Following key shifts in labour trends resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, such as the switch to remote work and acute labour shortages in a number of developed economies, countries are re-evaluating how to foster a skilled workforce to facilitate sustainable future expansion. Population projections see growth...

The growth trajectory of religious tourism in key markets

With many emerging markets diversifying their tourism offerings, faith-based tourism is set to become a key segment for a number of markets worldwide. An estimated 330m people travel for religious reasons each year, according to the UN Word Tourism Organisation, forming a significant market for countries with attractions of spiritual or sacred value. These trips include pilgrimages as well as sightseeing trips to important historical and religious sites throughout the year. Additionally, a 2017 study reported that some...

Free ad-supported television poised to grow share of emerging market viewers

As emerging markets expand internet access and younger generations adopt different habits of consuming global media and entertainment, free ad-supported television (FAST) is poised to gain market share as viewers transition from traditional cable, broadcast or satellite television to over-the-top (OTT) internet-based platforms. US tech giant Google announced two weeks ago that it was seeking to become the leading FAST channel aggregator by adding Tubi, Plex and Haystack News to its existing FAST...

How digital banking is transforming access to finance in Latin America and the Caribbean

Despite wider economic challenges such as inflation and supply chain disruptions, digital banks and neobanks are continuing to attract new customers and accelerate financial inclusion in Latin America and the Caribbean. Neobanks use apps, software and other technologies to operate exclusively through digital platforms. They are usually limited to bank accounts and cards because they often lack credit institution licences, while digital banks offer the full suite of traditional banking services online...

Shifting oil market creates export opportunities for emerging markets producers

With EU bans on Russian oil and oil-product exports set to go into effect this year in response to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, emerging market producers are poised to gain larger shares of an evolving market. EU bans against Russian oil products such as diesel were rolled out earlier this month, following bans on Russian seaborne crude oil exports that began last December. Last week, Patrick Pouyanné, CEO of France’s TotalEnergies, said that there is...

Global CEO Survey: What is on the horizon for emerging markets?

While the recovery period following the Covid-19 pandemic saw the unlocking of major capital in emerging markets, inflationary pressures, fluctuating commodity prices and geopolitical concerns have since tempered the global economic outlook for 2023. Balancing opportunity and risk has become a priority for shareholders and investors, but emerging markets have remained resilient. Some regions, such as the Gulf, are looking to funnel elevated hydrocarbons revenue into sustainable mega-projects, whereas leaders in Asia...

The emerging supply chains for lithium in Latin America

With the success of the energy transition closely tied to the ability to store solar and wind power, battery manufacturers are zeroing in on Latin America’s so-called lithium triangle of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile. These three countries alone contain 52m, or 53%, of the 98m tonnes of global lithium reserves, according to the US Geological Survey. In late January Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Argentina and Chile to secure lithium supply for carmakers Mercedes-Benz Group and Volkswagen to..

Why some Latin American currencies are outperforming developed economies?

Two Latin American currencies – the Brazilian real and the Mexican peso – have outperformed G10 nations and other emerging markets in 2022 despite the sharp appreciation of the US dollar. In late September 2022 the Dollar Index, which compares the dollar to a weighted average of six other currencies, reached a 20-year high, at 114 points. However, as of early October the real was up 7.2% against the dollar in 2022, and the Mexican peso was up 2.5%. The Brazilian real started 2022 at 5.5 to the dollar, fell to...

Will Latin America’s transport mega-projects revolutionise trade?

As Latin America continues its recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, several countries are undertaking large-scale transport infrastructure projects to improve regional and international connectivity and trade. One of the region’s most ambitious projects, the Bioceani­c Corridor, aims to connect the Brazilian port of Santos on the Atlantic Ocean with the Chilean ports of Iquique and Antofagasta on the Pacific Ocean through a series of roads. Alongside this transnational motorway, space is also being left...