Briefing Papers Number 11, January 2011 | Page 6

Andrew Wainer economic ground—and population. In 1979, the village had more than 300 residents. But due to a long-term decline in viable agriculture much of the village’s youth left. Even with the remittances that flow to the region, the area remains poor.37 Today, most of Avila Camacho’s residents are women and older men. Most young people simply expect to leave once they reach working age. A ruined elementary school with rusted chairs and tables is a relic of the oncevibrant community. The few school-aged children remaining travel eight miles to the nearest classroom along roads that are sometimes blocked by overflowing rivers. Avila Camacho and rural Mexico’s youth exodus were shaped by a variety of factors, but the rate of migration became particularly intense starting in t