The state of Zacatecas is the northernmost state of the Centre-West meso-region. It is the eighth largest in surface area, about the size of the Czech Republic. However, with a population of just over 1.4 million, (1.3% of Mexico’s population), it is the 26th most densely populated. It has a high share of rural population of 42.8% (23.5% national average). Among the largest cities are Zacatecas City, Fresnillo, Guadalupe, Jerez, Pinos, Sombrerete and Rio Grande, although the capital Zacatecas is by far the most significant. The state population is growing very slowly at only 0.2% per year (one fifth of the national average annual growth rate of 1.0%) due to massive migration of the working age population to the US and other neighbouring states. Consequently, the state is the largest recipient of remittances from abroad. In terms of educational attainment, it is far behind the national averages in both schooling years and in the proportion of its population over 15 years that completed secondary schooling.