Middle class fast becomes majority in Mexico

A wary but tenacious middle class is fast becoming the majority in Mexico, breaking down the rich-poor divide in a demographic transformation that has far-reaching implications here and in the United States.

Although many Mexicans and their neighbors to the north still imagine a country of downtrodden masses dominated by a wealthy elite, the swelling ranks of the middle class are crowding new Wal-Marts, driving Nissan sedans and maxing out their Banamex credit cards.

"As hard as it is for many of us to accept, Mexico is now a middle-class country, which means we don't have any excuse anymore," said Luis de la Calle, an economist.

Source: Washington Post