Human and sustainable development in two socioeconomic regions of Chiapas, Mexico: Metropolitan and Istmo-Costa

Abstract

This article estimates the Human Development Index in two socioeconomic regions of Chiapas, Mexico, in particular, the Metropolitan (Berriozábal) and Isthmus-Costa (Tonalá) regions with the purpose of relating them to their sustainable development and, therefore, to envision some viable strategies to achieve a balance between their human and sustainable development. In this sense, it is based on the theoretical approaches to development and the work methodology of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The hypothesis proposed is that the Human Development Index in the municipal capital of Berriozábal and Tonalá (San Luqueño) corresponds to a medium or high value. The results found for the education dimension are 0.5726 for Berriozábal and 0.5107 for Tonalá. In the health dimension in Tonalá and Berriozábal it was 0.82. Finally, the Income index in Tonalá and Berriozábal was 0.64. Thus, the HDI for Berriozábal was 0.66 and for Tonalá 0.68. It is concluded that, effectively, the HDI in both regions corresponds to a medium level; which means there is significant progress in the levels of education, health and income in both regions, but, it is still necessary to advance in the institutional (or organizational) strengthening through programs and projects to take advantage of the human capital of the regions in question.