The administration led by Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda has announced a historic reduction in poverty levels over the past four years, an achievement attributed to a sustained focus on social transformation and direct family aid through a comprehensive strategy focusing on student support and social programs.
The governor highlighted that a combination of educational scholarships, the Comunder transportation system, and the “Pancita Llena, Corazón Contento” (“Full Belly, Happy Heart”) school meal program now ensures that 600,000 students can pursue their education with dignity and without worrying about hunger or how to get to school.
Official data from INEGI confirms that 478,300 people in Baja California emerged from poverty between 2021 and 2024. The state’s multidimensional poverty rate was slashed from 22.5% to 9.9%, while extreme poverty plummeted from 1.5% to just 0.4%, the lowest rate in the state’s recent history.
The Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality, fell from 0.421 to 0.345, now positioning Baja California among the states with the lowest social inequality in the country.
“The essence of our government is to support those who have the least, which is why 600,000 students receive warm breakfasts and lunches, scholarships, and school transportation,” the governor said.
Furthermore, the state has made significant strides in tackling labor poverty (the percentage of people unable to afford a basic food basket with their salary), which fell from 22.4% to 19.7%, earning Baja California the rank of the third-lowest level of labor poverty in the nation. This improvement is linked to growth in formal employment and stronger family incomes.
Between 2022 and 2025, the state government channeled over 12.9 billion pesos into state and federal social programs. This historic investment provided direct aid to families through mechanisms like educational scholarships, household assistance, productive projects, and child nutrition initiatives, actions that have strengthened family incomes and guaranteed fundamental social rights.
The sustained progress has solidified Baja California’s status as one of Mexico’s five most prosperous states, now ranking fourth in the country for highest household income.
Governor Marina del Pilar concluded that these results not only make the state a national example of sustained social progress but also prove that Baja California is stronger than ever.
