Meenachil boasts a prosperous rural economy that is built on two massive pillars: commercial agriculture and international remittances. Unlike typical urban economies driven by manufacturing or IT, Meenachil's wealth is highly decentralized and agrarian.
Natural rubber is the undisputed king of the local economy. The price of rubber heavily dictates the region's financial health. When global rubber prices are high, the local economy booms. Additionally, a large percentage of families in Meenachil have at least one member working abroad (historically in the Middle East, and increasingly in the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia). The remittances sent back by these Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) have fueled a massive boom in the construction, healthcare, and retail sectors.