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The nonprofit sector in Mexico has a limited size and scope, despite of the urgent need faced by millions of citizens that do not have access to the most basic needs. Although Mexicans are regarded to be supportive and generous, they tend to engage in philanthropic activities and volunteering only sporadically and through informal means. Therefore, the fundamental problem faced by the sector is the lack of institutionalization and a poor legal and fiscal environment. The current paper analyzes the origins of the sector in Mexico to identify some of the underlying factors that have influenced it and that have limited its correct development. Then, it evaluates the current status of the sector and enumerates some of the causes that are preventing current organizations from expanding and serving an increased clientele. Finally, it proposes a set of solutions, aimed to eliminate the superfluous legal and fiscal restrictions, as well as to motivate an enhanced cooperation between the government and civil society in order to provide people with the necessary relief. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the first historical series of poverty and inequality in Mexico for the period 1950-2004. We observe that poverty reduces continuously between 1950 and 1984, and remains constant, with the exception of 1996, where it increases sharply. With regards to inequality, this variable follows an inverted U trend between 1950 and 1984, similar to the Kuznets curve; however, it increases almost continuously from 1984 on. We also show that during 1950-2004 the correlation between poverty and economic growth has been strong and negative, the correlation between poverty and inflation has been strong and positive, and the correlation between poverty and inequality has also been positive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]