The state of Queretaro is located in the Centre-West meso-region, but is also part of the Centre region. Its capital city, Queretaro City, has been growing and developing rapidly over the last 20 years. Part of Mexico City’s population and industrial decentralisation has relocated in this state. It is only the 27th largest state in surface area (about half the size of Slovenia), and with a population of 1.6 million inhabitants it is the 23rd largest state and the eighth most densely populated. Nevertheless, it does have 30% of its population living in rural areas, higher than the 23.5% average nationally, as most of its economic activity and population is encompassed in the metropolitan area of the capital city of Queretaro. The state population is growing at a markedly faster rate than the national average (2.3% versus 1% nationally), even if there is a slightly higher propensity for out migration to the US than nationally. It is at national averages in both schooling years and in the proportion of its population over 15 years that completed secondary schooling, however in terms of tertiary attainment rates it is well above average.