2009-09-22-皮尤-Most_Mexicans_See_Better_Life_in_U.S._-_One-In-Three_Would_Migrate_45页_631kb

2009 Pew Global Attitudes Survey Summary: Mexico

Core Content

The 2009 Pew Global Attitudes Survey on Mexico highlights widespread dissatisfaction with national conditions, including crime, drugs, corruption, and the economy. Despite these challenges, a significant majority of Mexicans believe life is better in the United States and one-in-three would migrate if given the opportunity.

Main Views

• Immigration and Life in the U.S.

  • A majority (62%) of Mexicans say they would not move to the U.S. if they had the means and opportunity.
  • 33% say they would move, and 55% of those would do so without authorization.
  • 57% believe people who move from Mexico to the U.S. have a better life, up from 51% in 2007.
  • Close to two-thirds (68%) of those with regular contact with U.S. friends or relatives say they have achieved their goals in the U.S.
  • The percentage of Mexicans with regular contact with U.S. friends or relatives has declined from 49% in 2002 to 39% in 2009.
  • About one-in-five (18%) receive money from relatives abroad, down from 23% in 2007.

• Drug Trafficking and Law Enforcement

  • 95% of Mexicans see illegal drugs as a big problem, and 73% see it as a very big problem.
  • 83% support using the Mexican army to fight drug traffickers, and 66% believe the army is making progress.
  • 63% support U.S. assistance in the form of money and weapons, but only 30% want U.S. troops deployed to Mexico.
  • 77% approve of the military's impact on the country, while the court system (37%) and police (35%) receive lower ratings.

• Economic Conditions

  • 69% say the current economy is bad, but 61% expect it to improve in the next 12 months.
  • 54% say their personal economic situation is good, down from 60% in 2007.
  • The economic downturn has led to fewer jobs for immigrants, with 47% reporting that someone they know returned to Mexico due to lack of employment in the U.S., and 40% due to being captured by border patrol.

• Attitudes Toward the U.S.

  • 69% have a positive opinion of the U.S., up from 47% in 2008.
  • 76% believe the economic ties between the U.S. and Mexico are good for Mexico, but 54% say the U.S. economy is negatively affecting Mexico.
  • The U.S. as a country is viewed more favorably than President Obama or the American people in Mexico.

• Government and Leadership

  • 68% have a favorable opinion of President Felipe Calderón.
  • 87% say they are very or somewhat satisfied with their own lives, despite the problems in the country.
  • 61% believe Mexico has a poor image abroad.

• Political Corruption

  • 94% of Mexicans say corrupt political leaders are a big problem, and 68% say they are a very big problem.

Key Information

• The survey was conducted from May 26 to June 2, 2009, with 1,000 adults in Mexico.
• The margin of sampling error is ±3 percentage points.
• The Pew Global Attitudes Project is a nonpartisan initiative that includes surveys from 25 publics.
• The 2009 survey is part of the Spring 2009 Pew Global Attitudes Survey, which included 24 nations and the Palestinian territories.
• The project's findings are used to analyze public opinion trends globally, including the impact of U.S. leadership and foreign policy.

Additional Findings

• Support for Trade and Globalization

  • 79% believe growing trade and business ties between nations are good for Mexico, up from 69% in 2008.
  • However, only 52% believe people are generally better off in a free market system, indicating less enthusiasm for free market policies compared to other countries.

• Emigration Impact

  • 48% say it is bad for Mexico that so many citizens live in the U.S.
  • 42% say it is good for Mexico.
  • Women are more likely than men to view emigration negatively (54% vs. 37%).

• Education and Emigration

  • The less educated are more likely to report that someone they know returned to Mexico due to being captured at the border or lack of work.
  • 53% of those with primary school education or less say they know someone who returned due to being captured, compared to 45% with some secondary education and 37% with some college education.

Conclusion

The survey reflects a complex picture of Mexican public opinion, where there is strong support for the government's anti-drug efforts and a generally positive view of the U.S., despite economic and social challenges. Mexicans are deeply connected to the U.S., and while many see it as a better place to live, there are concerns about the impact of emigration on their country.