One measurement of human development that is consistently used in sustainable development work by government, civil society organizations, and the private, academic and social sectors is the Human Development Index (HDI), the parameters of which were set forth by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).  The HDI evaluates the average progress of a country or region in three basic aspects:

1. Enjoying a long and healthy life, which is measured through life expectancy at birth.
2. Having an adequate education rate, which is measured through the adult literacy rate (weighted as two-thirds of the total) and the gross combined enrollment ratio in elementary, secondary, and tertiary schools (weighted as one-third of the total).
3. Having a decent standard of living, which is measured through GDP per capita (Purchasing Power Parity in the United States).[1]

Complementary concepts are added to these criteria and indicators, concepts that reflect the level of development and social well being of a country or region.  For example, measuring a long and healthy life may include reducing infant mortality, improving maternal health, and fighting major diseases; measuring an adequate education may include achieving universal education and independence of women through gender equality in education; and measuring an appropriate standard of living may include reducing poverty and hunger.

In 2003, Baja California Sur registered an HDI score of 0.817, exceeding the Mexican national score of 0.791.  For this reason, Baja California Sur registered High in the scale of human development, as compared to the “emerging country” average, which is rated Medium High.[2]

In addition, the UNDP announced in the Millennium Declaration that human development requires two fundamental conditions: environmental sustainability (ensuring sustainable development) and equity (particularly promoting gender equity and independence of women and enabling a global economic environment that reinforces partnerships between rich and poor countries).[3]

For the World Bank’s social well-being and human development indicators, Mexico finds itself in a relatively optimistic situation.  In 2000, the per capita income in Mexico was one of the highest in Latin America (US$5,070), and life expectancy had increased to 73 years.  Between 1990 and 2000, the mortality rate of children below five years of age declined from 46 to 29 per 1,000; 86% of the population has access to potable water; and the country’s literacy rate exceeds 90%.[4]

Within this world context and according to Mexico’s National Population Council (CONAPO) estimates, Baja California Sur ranks as the ninth state nationwide in terms of human development (first place is the Federal District or Mexico City and last is Chiapas). It is clear that the residents of Baja California Sur are currently enjoying a higher standard of living than many other Mexican citizens.  Undoubtedly, these favorable conditions explain why the state is the third most-preferred destination for Mexico’s internal migration, and also why it is one of the sites that most attracts the international community. 

Source: Prepared by the author based on data from the CONAPO Webpage www.conapo.gob.mx.

Yet, these seemingly favorable living standards do not tell the full story of Baja California Sur.  As this study’s chapters on Health, Education, and Community Development will highlight  there are numerous rural areas in Baja California Sur and a growing number of urban poor, where the referenced optimistic indicators do not reflect current living conditions.   Also, Baja California Sur’s recent increase in migration has brought it a decline in the quality of life, including the state’s environmental quality, health indices and public safety.  As a case in point, in 2003 Baja California Sur had the largest net growth rate of homicides in Mexico between 1998 and 2003 even though in total numbers the incidence of homicides is far below the national average.[5]   Baja California Sur also ranks as the state with the highest mortality levels among males due to lung cancer in Mexico with 35 cases per 100,000 versus 14.7 nationally.[6]   The number of women with lung cancer is also higher than the national average.    In the case of deaths due to breast cancer, Baja California ranks second behind Mexico City[7].