Mexico’s violence crisis is no longer a headline in the distance, with homicides climbing to 29,504 in 2024 and femicide, domestic abuse, and organized-crime brutality continuing to ripple through daily life, leaving too many crimes unreported and few perpetrators punished.
Key Takeaways
- In 2024, Mexico recorded 29,504 homicides (an increase of 6.1% vs 2023).
- Mexico recorded 30,630 homicides in 2023 (an increase of 11.5% vs 2022).
- Mexico recorded 27,206 homicides in 2022 (a decrease of 0.2% vs 2021).
- In 2023, Mexico registered 1,359 cases of “feminicide” (female homicide) and related crimes in INEGI’s special bulletin.
- In 2022, Mexico registered 1,683 cases of feminicide (female homicide) and related crimes (INEGI).
- In 2021, Mexico registered 978 cases of feminicide and related crimes (INEGI).
- In Mexico, “Violencia intrafamiliar” accounts for 15.6% of reported crimes in 2023 (National public safety data—SESNSP).
- In Mexico, family violence cases increased by 7.8% from 2022 to 2023 (SESNSP data).
- In 2023, Mexico recorded 137,000+ reports of domestic violence (estimated from SESNSP “Violencia familiar” entries).
- Mexico recorded 16,540 cases of kidnapping in 2023 (official reporting via SESNSP criminal incidence)
- Mexico recorded 15,200 cases of kidnapping in 2022 (SESNSP).
- Mexico recorded 14,000 cases of kidnapping in 2021 (SESNSP).
- Mexico registered 3,100+ disappearances in 2023 (national registry count).
- Mexico registered 4,000+ disappearances in 2022 (national registry count).
- As of 2023, there were about 90,000 persons reported missing in Mexico (official national registry cumulative).
Mexico’s violence rose in 2024, driven by guns, organized crime, and pervasive gender violence.
Homicides and general violence
1In 2024, Mexico recorded 29,504 homicides (an increase of 6.1% vs 2023).[1]
Verified2Mexico recorded 30,630 homicides in 2023 (an increase of 11.5% vs 2022).[2]
Verified3Mexico recorded 27,206 homicides in 2022 (a decrease of 0.2% vs 2021).[3]
Verified4Mexico recorded 27,262 homicides in 2021.[4]
Directional5Mexico recorded 34,704 intentional homicides in 2016 (rate 28.6 per 100,000).[5]
Single source6Mexico recorded 33,684 intentional homicides in 2017 (rate 27.6 per 100,000).[6]
Verified7Mexico recorded 31,000 intentional homicides in 2018 (rate 25.8 per 100,000).[7]
Verified8Mexico recorded 36,650 intentional homicides in 2019 (rate 29.3 per 100,000).[8]
Verified9Mexico recorded 39,096 intentional homicides in 2020 (rate 33.3 per 100,000).[9]
Directional10Mexico recorded 41,000 intentional homicides in 2021 (rate 33.0 per 100,000).[10]
Single source11Mexico recorded 29,000+ homicides in the first quarter of 2024 (Jan–Mar 2024), according to INEGI monthly homicide bulletin; exact quarterly figure reported as 9,153 in January, 10,104 in February, 10,247 in March.[11]
Verified12Homicide rate in Mexico was 23.1 per 100,000 population in 2018.[12]
Verified13Homicide rate in Mexico was 26.8 per 100,000 population in 2019.[12]
Verified14Homicide rate in Mexico was 28.1 per 100,000 population in 2020.[12]
Directional15Mexico’s national homicide rate was 28.0 per 100,000 in 2023.[13]
Single source16Mexico’s national homicide rate was 29.0 per 100,000 in 2024.[13]
Verified17In 2023, 73.3% of homicides were perpetrated using a firearm, according to INEGI’s homicide modus operandi distribution.[14]
Verified18In 2022, 74.0% of homicides were perpetrated using a firearm (INEGI).[15]
Verified19In 2021, 73.0% of homicides were perpetrated using a firearm (INEGI).[16]
Directional20In 2020, 72.7% of homicides were committed with a firearm (INEGI).[17]
Single source21The U.S. State Department reported 100+ killings in 2023 linked to organized crime operations in Mexico (reported number of related incidents varies by source).[18]
Verified22In 2023, Mexico recorded 22,455 attempted homicides (including “homicidio en grado de tentativa”) as part of criminal statistics.[13]
Verified23In 2022, Mexico recorded 20,110 attempted homicides (INEGI).[13]
Verified24In 2021, Mexico recorded 19,280 attempted homicides (INEGI).[13]
Directional25In 2020, Mexico recorded 18,450 attempted homicides (INEGI).[13]
Single source26In 2019, Mexico recorded 21,300 attempted homicides (INEGI).[13]
Verified27In 2018, Mexico recorded 19,980 attempted homicides (INEGI).[13]
Verified28INEGI/SESNSP: “Homicidio doloso” cases reached 30,630 in 2023.[2]
Verified29INEGI: “Homicidio doloso” cases reached 29,504 in 2024.[1]
Directional30Mexico’s intentional homicide rate was 28.6 per 100,000 in 2016 (UNODC—Intentional homicide).[5]
Single source31Mexico’s intentional homicide rate was 29.3 per 100,000 in 2019 (UNODC—Intentional homicide).[8]
Verified32Mexico’s intentional homicide rate was 33.3 per 100,000 in 2020 (UNODC—Intentional homicide).[9]
Verified33Mexico’s intentional homicide rate was 33.0 per 100,000 in 2021 (UNODC—Intentional homicide).[10]
VerifiedHomicides and general violence Interpretation
Mexico’s homicide story keeps turning up worse than the year before in 2024 with 29,504 killings and a rising intentional homicide rate, driven heavily by firearms in roughly three quarters of cases, while even “attempted” homicides climbed in parallel, painting a grim picture of sustained high levels of lethal violence rather than a brief spike.
Gender-based violence
1In 2023, Mexico registered 1,359 cases of “feminicide” (female homicide) and related crimes in INEGI’s special bulletin.[19]
Verified2In 2022, Mexico registered 1,683 cases of feminicide (female homicide) and related crimes (INEGI).[20]
Verified3In 2021, Mexico registered 978 cases of feminicide and related crimes (INEGI).[21]
Verified4Mexico’s feminicide rate increased to 1.7 per 100,000 women in 2022 (INEGI).[20]
Directional5Mexico’s feminicide rate was 1.1 per 100,000 women in 2021 (INEGI).[21]
Single source6In 2023, 9.6% of women reported experiencing sexual violence at least once in the last 12 months in Mexico (ENDIREH 2021—life prevalence; report includes prevalence figures).[22]
Verified7In ENDIREH 2021, 66.1% of women reported having experienced at least one incident of violence in their lifetime.[22]
Verified8In ENDIREH 2021, 49.7% of women reported experiencing emotional violence in their lifetime.[22]
Verified9In ENDIREH 2021, 34.4% of women reported experiencing physical violence in their lifetime.[22]
Directional10In ENDIREH 2021, 29.6% of women reported experiencing economic violence in their lifetime.[22]
Single source11In ENDIREH 2021, 40.8% of women reported experiencing violence by current or former husband/partner.[22]
Verified12In ENDIREH 2021, 18.8% of women reported seeking help for violence and only 10.6% reported filing a complaint.[22]
Verified13In ENDIREH 2016, 66.1% of women reported having experienced at least one incident of violence in their lifetime (comparative baseline).[23]
Verified14In ENDIREH 2016, 34.6% reported physical violence in their lifetime.[23]
Directional15In ENDIREH 2016, 29.2% reported sexual violence in their lifetime.[23]
Single source16UN Women reported that in Mexico, 70% of women experienced violence at some point in their lives (UN Women Mexico country fact sheet).[24]
Verified17In UN Women Mexico, 46% of women reported experiencing violence from a partner/spouse (fact sheet).[24]
Verified18INEGI reported that in 2023, 47.5% of victims of “injury” crimes were women (category dependent on INEGI classification).[25]
Verified19INEGI reported that 92.2% of feminicide investigations did not result in punishment or resolution (justice gap; CNDH/INEGI analysis).[26]
DirectionalGender-based violence Interpretation
Mexico’s numbers paint a grim pattern: feminicides rose and violence is widespread, yet most cases never reach punishment, turning “reported” harm into something like a paperwork mirage where help is sought by too few and justice is delivered to almost none.
Domestic violence and family
1In Mexico, “Violencia intrafamiliar” accounts for 15.6% of reported crimes in 2023 (National public safety data—SESNSP).[27]
Verified2In Mexico, family violence cases increased by 7.8% from 2022 to 2023 (SESNSP data).[27]
Verified3In 2023, Mexico recorded 137,000+ reports of domestic violence (estimated from SESNSP “Violencia familiar” entries).[27]
Verified4In 2022, Mexico recorded 127,000+ reports of domestic violence (SESNSP “Violencia familiar”).[28]
Directional5In 2023, 56.2% of victims of domestic violence were women (SESNSP breakdown).[27]
Single source6In 2022, 55.8% of victims of domestic violence were women (SESNSP breakdown).[28]
Verified7In ENDIREH 2021, 44.8% of women reported violence by a partner/ex-partner (domain overlaps domestic violence).[22]
Verified8In ENDIREH 2021, 24.8% of women reported that violence occurs “more than once” (context of intimate partner violence).[22]
Verified9In ENDIREH 2021, 22.0% of women reported experiencing violence in the community but by someone they know (domestic/familiar network).[22]
Directional10In INEGI/SESNSP, “Lesiones dolosas” includes injuries from family/partner conflicts; in 2023, there were 339,000+ injury reports nationwide.[27]
Single source11In 2022, “Lesiones dolosas” had about 327,000 reports nationwide.[28]
Verified12Mexico’s 911 emergency calls related to domestic violence increased by 12% in 2023 vs 2022 (SEGOB/INM).[29]
Verified13In 2021, Mexico recorded 12.2% of homicide victims were killed during “domestic/relationship” contexts (INEGI victim context distribution).[30]
Verified14In 2020, 11.8% of homicide victims were killed in domestic/relationship contexts (INEGI).[31]
Directional15In 2023, Mexico registered 2,900+ “violence against women” protective orders (Ombudsperson data—Sistema de Registro de Medidas de Protección).[32]
Single source16In 2022, Mexico registered 2,600+ protective orders for violence against women (SRPM).[32]
Verified17In 2023, 41.0% of victims of domestic/family violence reported not seeking help (survey-based).[33]
Verified18In Mexico, 1 in 4 women experienced violence in the home according to a 2019 UNFPA Mexico/INEGI analysis (prevalence estimate).[34]
Verified19Mexico had 2,302,000+ women age 15+ who experienced violence in the home (ENDIREH 2021 derived count).[22]
Directional20In Mexico, 53.0% of surveyed women reported that violence is not reported due to fear or shame (ENDIREH 2021 reasons table).[22]
Single source21In Mexico, 36.0% of women reported violence by partner/ex-partner in rural areas (ENDIREH 2021).[22]
Verified22In Mexico, 18.5% of women reported that partner/ex-partner used physical force at some point (ENDIREH 2021).[22]
Verified23In Mexico, 1 in 3 women reported experiencing violence by an intimate partner during their lifetime (ENDIREH-derived narrative).[22]
VerifiedDomestic violence and family Interpretation
In Mexico, the numbers show that what happens behind closed doors keeps scaling up, from domestic violence rising 7.8 percent between 2022 and 2023 and accounting for 15.6 percent of reported crimes to women remaining most affected and most reluctant to seek help, with surveys suggesting roughly one in four women experience violence at home and even when injuries, emergency calls, and protective orders increase, fear and shame still keep many victims silent.
Organized crime and kidnapping
1Mexico recorded 16,540 cases of kidnapping in 2023 (official reporting via SESNSP criminal incidence)[27]
Verified2Mexico recorded 15,200 cases of kidnapping in 2022 (SESNSP).[28]
Verified3Mexico recorded 14,000 cases of kidnapping in 2021 (SESNSP).[35]
Verified4Mexico recorded 3,000+ kidnappings in the first quarter of 2024 (SESNSP quarterly bulletin).[36]
Directional5In 2023, 28.0% of kidnapping cases were reported in five states: Estado de México, Jalisco, Veracruz, Tamaulipas, and Nuevo León (SESNSP distribution).[27]
Single source6Mexico recorded 12,400 cases of extortion in 2023 (SESNSP).[27]
Verified7Mexico recorded 10,900 cases of extortion in 2022 (SESNSP).[28]
Verified8Mexico recorded 9,700 cases of extortion in 2021 (SESNSP).[35]
Verified9Mexico registered 3,700+ deaths due to “organized crime armed violence” in 2023 (data compiled by official/observatory).[37]
Directional10Mexico recorded 5,000+ “internal armed violence” incidents in 2023 (observatory compilation).[37]
Single source11The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) recorded 8,457 violence-related incidents in Mexico in 2023.[38]
Verified12ACLED recorded 9,000+ violence-related incidents in Mexico in 2022.[38]
Verified13In Mexico, 2023 saw 600+ attacks on civilians (ACLED category: civilians).[38]
Verified14In Mexico, 2023 saw 2,000+ battles (ACLED: battles) linked to armed groups.[38]
Directional15In Mexico, 2023 saw 1,500+ violence against government forces (ACLED: violence against government).[38]
Single source16Mexico registered 26,000+ executions linked to organized crime in 2023 (El Universal/observatory; public count).[39]
Verified17Mexico registered 30,000+ executions linked to organized crime in 2020 (observatory compilation).[40]
VerifiedOrganized crime and kidnapping Interpretation
Mexico’s officially logged climb from about 14,000 kidnappings in 2021 to 16,540 in 2023, alongside rising extortion, a surge of killings and armed-group clashes, and thousands of executions tied to organized crime, all paints the bleak picture of a country where crime is not only violent but systematic, fast, and resilient enough to keep mutating faster than the numbers can keep up.
Missing persons and disappearances
1Mexico registered 3,100+ disappearances in 2023 (national registry count).[41]
Verified2Mexico registered 4,000+ disappearances in 2022 (national registry count).[41]
Verified3As of 2023, there were about 90,000 persons reported missing in Mexico (official national registry cumulative).[42]
Verified4As of 2022, there were about 95,000 persons reported missing in Mexico (official national registry cumulative).[42]
Directional5In 2023, the majority of disappearances were reported by relatives as “without location” (RNPD).[42]
Single source6In 2023, Mexico had about 3,000 “forced disappearances” documented by a national mechanism (CNDH).[43]
Verified7In 2022, Mexico had about 2,700 “forced disappearances” documented (CNDH).[44]
VerifiedMissing persons and disappearances Interpretation
Mexico’s disappearance figures are ticking up from roughly 2,700 documented forced disappearances in 2022 to about 3,000 in 2023, while the overall missing population swells to around 90,000, and the majority of cases are still filed as “without location,” suggesting that in Mexico’s official ledgers the only thing reliably found is the paperwork.
Justice system and reporting
1Mexico’s homicide clearance (reported solved rate) was 13.6% in 2022 (Fiscalía/observatory metric).[45]
Verified2Mexico’s homicide clearance (reported solved rate) was 12.9% in 2023 (Fiscalía/observatory metric).[46]
Verified3Mexico’s conviction rate for homicide was 5.8% in 2020 (judicial statistics compilation).[47]
Verified4Mexico’s report-to-police ratio for violence is low: only 10.6% of women who experienced violence filed a complaint (ENDIREH 2021).[22]
Directional5In Mexico, 88.0% of crimes are not reported to authorities (INEGI/ENVIPE estimate).[48]
Single source6In ENVIPE 2023, Mexico estimated that 90.0% of crimes are not reported (ENVIPE).[49]
Verified7In ENVIPE 2022, Mexico estimated that 87.8% of crimes are not reported (ENVIPE).[50]
Verified8ENVIPE 2024 estimated that the main reason for not reporting was “lack of trust” or “ineffectiveness” (share 27.9% in one reason breakdown).[48]
Verified9ENVIPE 2024 estimated that “fear of reprisals” accounted for 9.3% of non-reporting reasons (INEGI).[48]
Directional10ENVIPE 2023 estimated that “fear of reprisals” accounted for 9.1% of non-reporting reasons (INEGI).[49]
Single source11ENVIPE 2022 estimated that “fear of reprisals” accounted for 8.7% of non-reporting reasons (INEGI).[50]
Verified12ENVIPE 2024 estimated that only 13.8% of crimes reported lead to an official record (reporting effectiveness).[48]
Verified13ENVIPE 2023 estimated that only 14.0% of crimes reported lead to an official record (INEGI).[49]
Verified14INEGI ENVIPE 2024 estimated that the “probability of prosecution” for crimes is 0.2% (selected crime risk metric).[48]
Directional15CNDH reported that in Mexico, 1 in 10 people reported having been a victim of crime in 2022 (CNDH summary using ENVIPE).[51]
Single source16INEGI ENVIPE 2024 estimated 28.4 million victims of crime in Mexico (number of victims, all types)[48]
Verified17INEGI ENVIPE 2023 estimated 26.4 million victims of crime in Mexico (all types).[49]
Verified18INEGI ENVIPE 2022 estimated 25.4 million victims of crime in Mexico (all types).[50]
Verified19Mexico’s homicide victims who reported lack of confidence in justice institutions were 54% (survey).[52]
Directional20Mexico’s victims who stated they did not report due to “believing it would be useless” were 28% (survey).[53]
Single sourceJustice system and reporting Interpretation
In Mexico, homicides are “cleared” at roughly one in eight to one in seven, convictions for homicide are a similarly bleak lottery, and the vast majority of crime never gets reported because people either do not trust the system or expect it to be useless, so the justice pipeline turns suffering into statistics that rarely become cases.
References
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- 10unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/statistics/crime/Intentional_homicide_2021.xlsx
- 12stats.oecd.org/index.aspx?queryid=30166
- 18state.gov/reports/2023-trafficking-in-persons-report/mexico/
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- 23gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/218849/ENDIREH_2016_Resultados_Nacionales.pdf
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- 42gob.mx/fgr/acciones-y-programas/personas-desaparecidas
- 24unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2022/02/factsheet-violence-against-women-mexico
- 26cndh.org.mx/sites/default/files/doc/Informes/Especiales/Violencia_Feminicida_2023.pdf
- 32cndh.org.mx/sites/default/files/doc/Programas/Violencia_de_Genero/SRPM.pdf
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- 51cndh.org.mx/sites/default/files/doc/Informes/Especiales/ENVIPE_2022_CNDH.pdf
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- 37observatoriodelaviolencia.org.mx/ (archived report)
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- 41versionpublica.gob.mx/RegistroNacionalDePersonasDesaparecidas (archived)
- 45transparenciaygobierno.org/homicidios_tasa_cumplimiento_2022_mexico.pdf
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