re: Just how big of an impact do remittances have on Mexico? Glad you asked....

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Mexico was founded less than 50 years after the United States, yet is a failure of a country. Why?

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Studies on IQ differences between Mexicans and Americans are limited, often dated, and fraught with methodological issues. Here’s a summary of key findings:
Richard Lynn’s Work (2001-2006): Lynn’s global IQ datasets, like IQ and the Wealth of Nations, estimate Mexico’s average IQ at 85-88, compared to the U.S. average of 100. These figures come from aggregating older tests (e.g., Raven’s Matrices) but are criticized for small, non-representative samples, cultural biases in test design, and ignoring environmental factors like education and nutrition. Lynn’s methodology often overgeneralizes national IQs.

Flynn Effect and Environmental Factors: James Flynn’s research shows IQ scores rise over time with improved education, nutrition, and socioeconomic conditions. Mexico’s literacy rate (95% in 2020) and school enrollment have improved since the 1990s, suggesting modern IQ averages may be closer to 90-95, especially in urban areas. A 2018 study in Mexico City found averages around 94 for school-aged children, though rural and indigenous populations scored lower, likely due to access gaps.

U.S. Diversity: U.S. IQ studies (e.g., Herrnstein & Murray’s The Bell Curve, 1994) show variation across groups—e.g., 100 for white Americans, 85-90 for African Americans, 90-95 for Mexican Americans. These differences often correlate with socioeconomic status, not just ethnicity. Mexican Americans, for instance, face similar environmental challenges as Mexicans, like lower household wealth.

Recent Data: Few direct Mexico-U.S. comparisons exist post-2010. A 2015 study in Journal of Intelligence noted Mexico’s average IQ around 90, with improvements tied to better schooling. However, standardized tests like PISA (2022) show Mexico’s students lag in math and reading compared to the U.S., which could reflect educational quality over innate ability.

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