The Indigenous Heterogeneity of Oportunidades: Ample or Insufficient Human Capital Accumulation?

Abstract

Indigenous groups account for over one tenth of Mexico’s population and many of them suffer from constant social disadvantages and extreme marginalization. One of their few paths out of poverty is through the accumulation of human capital, which is a central element of Oportunidades’ strategy to ameliorate trans-generational poverty. This study finds that the positive impacts of Oportunidades on enrollment for the general population are no different for indigenous households. In addition, it finds that Oportunidades impacts on repeat and illness rates are consistently marginal. Thus, it is argued that unless tailored investment in indigenous human capital accumulation and complimentary alternatives are intensified to close the existing indigenous marginalization gaps, indigenous Mexicans will remain in profound and persistent poverty due to the unique and overwhelming obstacles they face.Oportunidades; PROGRESSA; Mexico; Indigenous; Human Capital Accumulation; Impact Evaluation;