Socioeconomic Framework

Abstract

The use of the water resource is closely related to the geographical situation of the territory, but above all to the type and degree of socioeconomic development of countries, which is why in order to analyze water footprint in Mexico it is necessary to put the country’s characteristics into context. This chapter presents a general view of the country and puts it into the World and Latin-American contexts based on the main socioeconomic indicators, highlighting the unequal income distribution, the rural bias of poverty and the particular importance of the agricultural sector. This sector’s heterogeneity, as well as its relevance as a water user and an important cause of its deterioration are mentioned. We also mention that notwithstanding the importance of irrigation, to a good extent with underground water, the most important crops in Mexican people’s diet is produced in rain-fed lands, and a high percentage of both irrigated and rain-fed fields are devoted to livestock raising. Mexico’s growing dependence on food imports and the paradox that this brings environmental benefits is also commented upon.