| National Development Plan 2001-2006
3. The demographic future.
In the coming decades, Mexico's population will complete the final phase
of demographic transition, swiftly moving toward increasingly
reduced growth and a more elderly profile. Predictions for the middle of
this century suggest that the population could reach between 130
and 150 million inhabitants. As a result, the country, in the years
ahead, will continue to face the challenge of providing its people with
jobs, housing, clothing, food, education, and health care.
Demographic bonus.
The transformation in the structure by age will bring about an even more
advantageous ratio between the dependent population (under 15 and
over 65 years of age) and the working-age population (between 15 and 64
years of age). Over the next three decades, this will open up a
"temporary window of opportunity" or "demographic bonus" whereby the
working-age population will rise faster than the dependent population.
In the next decade, the demographic bonus could become an important
factor for the growth of the country, if we manage to create the
necessary number of jobs and boost the capacity for domestic saving, in
addition to the deployment of more efficient strategies in both
training and the utilization of available human resources as well as in
the accumulation and mobilization of assets. However, the window of
opportunity will begin to close as the pressures rise to meet the
demands of demographic ageing. Efficiently availing ourselves of this
window of opportunity could help give impetus to a virtuous circle: more
jobs; more saving; more investment.
4. Toward new politics.
Mexico's political transition has been a long and unique process of
democratization. Events in the life of the nation over the past 20
years have come to shape a plural and democratic regime in which our
country has experienced alternation, increased strength, and the
independency of the Judicial and Legislative powers, as well as
deep-rooted changes in the distribution of political power and
far-reachinginstitutional reforms. The gradual transformation of the regime, driven by all of the parties, found its most definitive expression in the
political changeover that took place in the Federal Executive Power on
July 2, 2000.
Today, Mexico's transition is characterized by an abundant political
plurality, plainly evident in the peaceful coexistence and alternation
of power, and in all spheres of government. The political map of our
country shows a wide diversity of forces and ideologies. At the
present time, eight parties interact and work in Congress under a system
of shared responsibility in which no party can claim for itself a
monopoly of the power. Mexico lives under shared power at both local as
well as federal levels.
The mission of the Federal Executive Power 2000-2006 is to responsibly,
democratically and in a participative manner, lead the transition
of the country toward a more just and humane society and a more
competitive and inclusive economy, establishing the total validity of
the constitutional State.
In order to achieve this, we must
Have a healthy public finance policy which enables us to support the
actions that lead the country toward the required growth.
Have an intelligent, efficient, and effective government that costs
less and does more through the implementation of practices and
processes that guarantee realization of the results of the National
Development pan.
Establish human development as the principal focal point of action so
as to design and implement public policies that lead to dynamic
economic growth that is inclusive, and in harmony with nature.
Create political, economic, and social conditions which promote the
processes of national growth.
Consolidate the transition to a full democracy.
Establish a new culture of government based on humanism, fairness,
change, inclusive growth, sustainability, competitiveness, regional
development, a constitutional State, democratic governance, federalism,
transparency, and accountability.
Place Mexico within international competition, balancing the benefits
and costs of globalization.
Give personal security to the people and their families.
Eliminate legal and structural restrictions on the economy so as to
trigger a creative process that will stimulate the countryâs economic
growth in a constant and sustainable manner.
Innovate at all levels of national life: legal; economic; social;
educational; and administrative, etcetera.
Conduct an educational revolution that will lead not only to the
country's growth but also to a high quality of life for the entire
population.
Lay the irreversible foundations of a new pattern of political conduct
and culture, based on public ethics. |
