The Mexican economy was expected to grow 3.5 percent in 2012, but this was below what was needed to meet domestic challenges, central bank Governor Agustin Carstens said here Thursday.
Carstens said the country's inflation would remain relatively under control.
The governor warned the economic crisis in Europe and the U.S. would affect the domestic economy, including cutting its exports.
"We will not have a favorable external environment at least over the next five years, as Europe and the United States will not have rapid economic growth," Carstens said.
Despite the difficulties, he said Mexico's economic growth in 2012 would exceed the international average rate, which would be below 3 percent.
However, a 3.5 percent growth was not sufficient for Mexico to tackle priority problems such as poverty and unemployment, according to the governor.
Carstens said Mexico's inflation in 2012 would be 3 to 4 percent./.