Liberación comercial y convergencia regional del ingreso en México

Abstract

We study the hypothesis of convergence amongst Mexican regions since 1940 with special interest in the post-trade liberalization period. A time-series analysis shows that difference in income levels between the capital and the rest of the regions tend to narrow over time. Using the concept of deterministic and stochastic convergence, we describe the characteristics of the growth pattern for each of the regions. We find evidence that supports the hypothesis that trade reforms reversed the convergence process of some regions, especially those less developed. Results further suggest that there is not statistical evidence to affirm that liberalization did contribute to income convergence between the U.S. and Mexico border regions.