A brief analysis of Hispanics in the United States

It is a complex task to talk about Hispanics in the United States since the great variety of cultures represent. We as Hispanics, distinguish ourselves mainly by speaking the same language, although we are from a great variety of countries and cultures in many different aspects.

For this analysis, I want to use the SWOT system which I have another article. This is the analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.

This structure is used mainly for strategic planning in business, but we can use it for other situations. In this case, to talk about the Hispanic culture.

I did it this way because, in my opinion, it is easier to observe the characteristics that distinguish Hispanics in the United States, divided thus to understand what benefits us as a group and what damages us. In this way, we can use this information as a guide.

This analysis is just an attempt to provide the information I have and which I consider useful for entrepreneurs. I do not pretend to write it as a broad text, neither detailed nor perfect.

Also, this is not a recommendation to take one or the other decision. But if what I wrote here is useful for you, great! And if not, possibly you’ll take one or another interesting fact.

So let’s get into the matter.

Strengths

Strengths are the positive characteristics that depend on from within the same group, not subordinated to external situations. In this case, these are the strengths of the Hispanic population.

Let’s start with this section saying something that is already known for all. Hispanics are the largest minority in this country (estimated at 54 million). And from this number, 51% is bilingual, a pretty positive number.

The Hispanic-owned business has grown in number, more than the average of the country.

Hispanic population is young, the average varies between 27 and 29 years, while the average of the entire population of the United States is 37.8 years old.

Purchasing power is estimated at 1.5 billion dollars and growing.

We are also distinguished by the appreciation of our culture, from the country of each one. The context in which we live daily is very familiar. This is one more strength for the emotional support that this represents.

Weaknesses

The weaknesses are precisely the negative characteristics or situations that affect us and depend on ourselves, the ones that are within this group.

Although purchasing power is increasing, average consumption is low (11%) compared to the Hispanic population (16.3%).

The economic revenue of the Hispanic small and medium-sized businesses is not in the same proportion as the national average. While the Hispanic companies have a revenue average of $ 56,000 a year, the national average is between 3 and 5 million for small and medium-sized businesses.

Besides, Hispanic businesses are encapsulated in certain types of low value-added services, such as repair, cleaning, construction and maintenance services, clothing, and personal care.

We do not excel in sectors of high value such as financial and technology.

We are Hispanic or Latino as a group (even for many, this is subject to discussion), however, we self-group in terms of countries, and even we get to discriminate depending on our origins. This is how our cultural differences stand out.

While the good news is that 51% of the Hispanic population is bilingual, there is still 49% who do not have an adequate level of English to run outside their circle, limiting their growth.

Opportunities

These are the characteristics outside the group that are or can be beneficial.

There is a good part of the population in the United States (45%) who think that immigration is good for their country.

Also, the fact of the growth of the Hispanic population makes that the companies focus more and more on us, which Spanish language becomes more valued, therefore, being bilingual.

Government assistance does not discriminate against Hispanics, but rather benefits them, whether to open a business or to study.

For those who want it, there is a lot of financial aid and scholarships for Hispanic youth. That means there is no pretext for not getting take advantage of education.

Due to this growth, Hispanics have a greater role in the political and social life of the United States, and their influential capacity is moving forward.

There are also opportunities on the Internet, although it is the same for everyone, the Hispanic community can be more communicative and close to their countries. For this reason, the internet may allow doing business with any other Spanish-speaking country in the world for anyone who wants it and knows how to take this advantage.

Threats

Finally, threats are those situations or characteristics that do not directly depend on the group but affect negatively.

Among these characteristics, it is the discrimination that yet many Hispanics experience.

Still, a considerable number of the population in the United States (37%) believe that immigrants are negative for their country.

For many Americans, when they think of immigrants, the first idea they have is “illegal” and “overpopulated”.

The changing government’s policies affects negatively to a sector of the Hispanic population.

Finally, there are other immigrant groups such as Asians and Europeans who have a better reputation than Hispanics.

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Perhaps some information is missing. But that will be a good pretext to write more broadly about specific topics in later articles.

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