Final answer:
The majority of Mexico's population lives in urban areas due to large-scale rural-to-urban migration in search of better economic opportunities. This has led to the expansion of cities and the development of social and economic challenges associated with rapid urbanization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question is d. urban areas. Most of the population in Mexico resides in urban areas. This has been a result of the rural-to-urban shift which has created a significant change in demographics over the past few decades. Rural Amerindian communities, historically living in isolated mountainous regions, have seen their young population move to cities in search of better employment opportunities. The primary allure of this migration is the promise of a better life and more opportunities compared to their rural origins.
The urbanization process has been further accelerated by economic policies such as NAFTA and the presence of maquiladoras, which have increased employment opportunities along the border regions, albeit with the downside of poor living conditions and environmental challenges. The large concentration of people in cities like Mexico City has placed a strain on resources and services, fostering the growth of slums and associated social issues such as crime and inadequate utilities.
Despite the coastal areas being economically significant, they do not host the majority of the population as the options provided suggest. It is the urban centers that continue to expand and attract the rural population, highlighting the urban-rural divide that exists in Mexico. This demographic change reflects a pattern seen in many developing countries where urbanization is rapidly rising.