Safety in Mexico: Perceptions Improve but Realities Persist

Genevieve Signoret & Delia Paredes

(Hay una versión en español de este artículo aquí.)

Tightening the rule of law in Mexico has long been the aim of several pending structural reforms here. Especially with regard to freedom from crime. Every day,  we’re panged by news of violence in various states across the country. Although it is true that perceptions of insecurity seem to have improved over the past six years, they remain high. Nearly three-quarters of the population aged 18 and older view the state they live in as unsafe.

Perceived insecurity has improved in the last six years but remains too high

Perception that where they live is not safe (%)

Source: INEGI. Percentage of the population aged 18 and older who view the state they live in as unsafe.

When analyzing trends for various crimes, we note mixed results. While extortion and threats are on the rise, kidnapping and homicide show a faint downward trend. When comparing the first half of 2024 with the same period last year, all crimes show positive growth rates, with a sharp 9.3% spike in the number of kidnappings.

Los resultados son mixtos por tipo de crimen

Número de crímenes por año por tipo de crimen (cifras de 2024 son incompletas)

Of course, official data include only reported crimes. Many go unreported owing to distrust of authorities, fears of reprisal, and perceptions of futility. So the magnitude of the problem is likely underestimated.

We can’t know with any certainty how much high crime has cost Mexico over the year in lost GDP, but we can say with confidence that, to strongly boost GDP and seize on foreign business interest in bringing production to Mexican shores, it’s urgent that Mexico restore safety.

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