Did Population Well-being Improve During Porfirian Mexico? A Regional Analysis using a Quasi-Human Development Index

It is argued that economic growth during the Porfiriato did not improve the well-being of the Mexican population. One explanation for such result is that the economic growth pattern was skewed and benefited more the northern states and less the southern ones. Following the estimation method of the Human Development Index, we calculate a Quasi-Human Development Index for the Mexican states during the period 1895--1910. Results show that at the start of the period (1895) the northern states were already the most developed. During the next 15 years this pattern was maintained and the dispersion in human development increased marginally. Finally, it is shown that the true losers of the Porfiriato were the states surrounding Mexico City and not the southern ones.