In 2024, a total of ****** homicides were registered in Mexico, over 1.1** murder victims more than the death toll reported a year earlier. The number of homicides in Mexico, including intentional homicides and cases of manslaughter, grew between 2015 and 2018, before plateauing around ****** victims per year. Kidnapping in Mexico In Mexico, even with a ** percent reduction in the kidnapping rate, which amounted to *** reported cases in 2023, the region continues to witness the distressing reality of **** individuals being subjected to violent abduction daily. These heinous acts are chiefly perpetrated in various settings, including workplaces, residences, and public areas. Furthermore, the state with the highest recorded kidnapping incidence is Mexico State, marking a significant disparity in numbers. This dire situation positions the country as the third highest in terms of kidnapping occurrences throughout Latin America. The increasing cases of human trafficking Regarded as a grievous form of exploitation encompassing coerced labor or sexual servitude, the prevalence of human trafficking in the nation exhibits a disquieting escalation. This trend coincides with a decline in cases involving children, shifting the focus towards teens and adolescents, particularly females, who are now the primary target demographic. Perpetrators manipulate victims through deceitful practices and fraudulent schemes, effectively entrapping them in a web of organized criminal activities that deprive them of their freedom.

On average, 25 people were murdered every 100,000 inhabitants in Mexico in 2022, down from 28 homicide cases per 100,000 people the previous year. Mexico's murder rate increased remarkably between 2015 and 2018. Between January and June of 2023, the homicide rate stood at 12 cases.

Crime and violence in Mexico

Street violence and crime are some of the most pressing problems affecting Mexican society today. A recent survey revealed that, on average, almost 76 percent of the adult population felt unsafe. The perceived level of insecurity in Mexico is more worrisome among women than men. In recent years, violence against women in Mexico has significantly worsened.

Violence against women in Mexico

The number of femicides registered in Mexico has more than doubled between 2015 and 2023. Up to 827 women were murdered in Mexico in 2023 solely on account of their gender. Over the past decade, Mexico adopted this federal criminal typification to address the increasing cases of homicide motivated by gender. Mexico State was the region with the largest number of femicides reported as such in 2023, whereas Colima stood out as the Mexican state with the highest prevalence of femicides, based on 100,000 women.

In the last four years, May has been the most violent month in Mexico in three of them, exception for 2023, when June was the most violent month of the year. The peak of violence happened in May 2021, when an average of 150 people were murdered every day. On the other hand, October 2023 was the least violent month in this period of time, with an average of 125 people murdered daily.

In January 2024, the most usual type of crime reported in Mexico was domestic violence. In that month, the cases of this type of violence amounted to around 20,814 cases. Regarding property crimes, the highest number of occurrences were vehicle thefts, with nearly 11,887 reported crimes.

Domestic violence Domestic violence stands out as the crime with the highest incidence and, paradoxically, one of the least attended to by the government. Public spending allocated to combat domestic violence has been dismally low, with a value only around 25 percent of the spending on the military. Adding to the concern, this budget has witnessed a consistent decrease each year since 2015. This decline in resources has had severe consequences, leading to a surge in domestic violence crimes, with many resulting in homicides. It's noteworthy that the majority of registered femicides occur within the confines of closed domestic spaces and are often committed by the partners of the victims. This paints a concerning picture of the challenges faced in addressing and preventing domestic violence.

Mexico and the most violent cities in the world
Mexico hosts seven of the most dangerous cities globally, with Celaya ranking as the number one in terms of murder rate, registering a staggering 109.39 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants and the most of these other cities are concentrated in the upper region of the country, highlighting the significant regional variations in safety and security. On the other hand, the capital, Mexico City, has experienced a decreasing trend in crime incidence, with a notable decrease from 2018 to 2022, nonetheless, the crime rate is still high. As a result, crime and insecurity have become the primary concern for nearly half of the country's population, underscoring the pressing need for addressing these issues.

The number of organized-crime related homicides in Mexico amounted to 28,328 cases in 2020. This represents an increase of 21 percent in comparison to the previous year. However, 2019 recorded the largest rise of organized crime related violence in the last decade. In 2014, the quantity of murders stood below 8,000.

In 2022, it was estimated that the national femicide rate in Mexico stood at 1.43 cases per 100,000 women. Three years earlier, the number of Mexican women murdered on account of their gender reached the highest rate at least since 2017, exceeding 1.5 victims per 100,000 female inhabitants. Femicides still on the rise Ranked as the second-highest nation for femicides in Latin America, just below Brazil, Mexico's cases show a considerable improvement, recording over 797 in 2024, the third year in a row with a decreasing figure. Nonetheless, this count is perceived as even higher by most of the population due to the substantial number of unreported and uninvestigated instances. The prevalent concern among the public centers around the consistent nature of these aggressive crimes. A disconcerting pattern emerges, with many perpetrators having familial or communal affiliations. In response, the government has introduced social initiatives, including helplines, but the outcomes have fallen short of expectations. Moreover, the government's lack of interest and effectiveness has spurred social activism, advocating for justice and enhanced safety measures for the female population. Gender gap in the economy Embedded within a cultural framework marked by entrenched sexist attitudes, stereotypes, and patriarchal norms, Mexico holds the 33rd position on the global gender index. This index underscores a heightened gender disparity concerning economic participation, culminating in a widening gender pay gap. Over time, female labor force participation has consistently trailed that of their male counterparts, with women predominantly occupying informal employment positions and accounting for around two-thirds of the female population working non-remunerated jobs. Furthermore, glaring disparities are more evident in media and governmental roles.

Over ****** murders were reported in Mexico in 2023. Guanajuato was the federal entity with most intentional homicides that year, amounting to ***** cases. Mexico State registered the second highest number of murder cases, with *****. When it comes to number of homicides in general - including both murder and manslaughter - Guanajuato ranked second behind Mexico State.

Turks and Caicos Islands saw a murder rate of ***** per 100,000 inhabitants, making it the most dangerous country for this kind of crime worldwide as of 2024. Interestingly, El Salvador, which long had the highest global homicide rates, has dropped out of the top 29 after a high number of gang members have been incarcerated. Meanwhile, Colima in Mexico was the most dangerous city for murders. Violent conflicts worldwide Notably, these figures do not include deaths that resulted from war or a violent conflict. While there is a persistent number of conflicts worldwide, resulting casualties are not considered murders. Partially due to this reason, homicide rates in Latin America are higher than those in Afghanistan or Syria. A different definition of murder in these circumstances could change the rate significantly in some countries. Causes of death Also, noteworthy is that murders are usually not random events. In the United States, the circumstances of murders are most commonly arguments, followed by narcotics incidents and robberies. Additionally, murders are not a leading cause of death. Heart diseases, strokes and cancer pose a greater threat to life than violent crime.

In 2023, Mexico State was the Mexican federal entity with the highest number of homicides, including cases of murder and manslaughter. A total of ***** people were killed in Guanajuato in that year, the second highest figure. Mexico is one of the Latin American countries with the highest murder rates.

As of 2023, the pattern of homicides in Mexico reveals that firearms have been the primary weapon used in male homicides, accounting for approximately ** percent of the victims. On the other hand, in cases of female homicides, knives have been the predominant weapon employed.

In 2023, ***** men and ***** women were victims of robbery or theft on the street or public transportation in Mexico per ****** inhabitants. In the same year, ***** sexual offense cases involving female victims were registered, including harassment, groping, exhibitionism, (attempted) rape and sexual harassment.

The number of homicides registered in the term of former Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto amounted to 150,451 cases as of 2017, a considerable increase in comparison with Felipe Calderón's presidential term. At the end of his term, Andrés Manuel López Obrador recorded over 151,000 homicides.

The number of women murdered on account of their gender in Mexico reached *** in 2024. August 2021 was the deadliest month for women in Mexico, not only that year, but also of the analyzed period, with *** femicides documented. In March 2020, the government of Mexico imposed a partial lockdown due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Domestic violence and sexual abuse reports in Latin America rose during the first months after the outbreak. Mexico, for instance, experienced a ** percent increase in domestic violence reports.

In 2023, the share of crimes involving weapons in Mexico State amounted to approximately ***** percent. Between 2010 and 2023, the figure dropped by around ***** percentage points, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

In 2023, the share of crimes involving weapons in Mexico City stood at approximately ***** percent. Between 2010 and 2023, the figure dropped by around ***** percentage points, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

In 2024, Ciudad Juárez witnessed a peak in the number of femicide cases. The northern city registered a total of 31 femicide cases that year. Danger is at home Embedded within a culture where women have endured disparagement from men, often extending even to their familial circles, a distressing pattern of violence emerges. This hostile atmosphere is compounded by the government's inadequate provisions for women's security. Notably, the primary perpetrators of this violence often reside within the confines of the home, making domestic spaces fraught with danger. A significant portion of these homicides transpire within the confines of closed domestic environments, with the perpetrators frequently identified as partners, ex-partners, or relatives of the victims. A consistent hallmark of these cases is the utilization of excessive violence, often involving bladed weapons and other implements. Lack of security for women AMLO's presidential term has been marked by the highest recorded femicide rate in Mexican history. His term has been marked by the persistently high figures, encompassing both officially recorded cases and numerous others that remain not investigated and unresolved. A significant proportion of these crimes have origins within the family sphere, yet public funding allocated towards addressing domestic violence has declined. Consequently, heightened concerns among women have prompted endeavors to assert their rights through social protests, all in pursuit of transformative change. This movement garners extensive support from the general populace, reflecting a collective aspiration for a shift in societal dynamics.

In 2023, robbery or theft on the street or public transportation accounted for **** percent of the total crime cases committed in Mexico. Extortion was the third most common type of crime in the Latin American country, accounting for around **** percent of the cases in that year.

The share of male victims of at least one crime in Mexico State stood at approximately ***** percent in 2023. Between 2010 and 2023, the share rose by around **** percentage points, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend.

In 2023, the share of male victims of at least one crime in Mexico City stood at approximately ***** percent. Between 2010 and 2023, the figure dropped by around **** percentage points, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

During 2023, around ******* cases of domestic violence were reported in Mexico. Mexico City reported a total of over ****** cases, ranking as the federal entity with the highest number of reported cases, followed by Mexico State with ****** cases.