Mexico City Records Lowest Fertility Rate in Mexico, Reveals INEGI
Mexico City, September 22 – The 2025 Intercensal Survey conducted by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) has revealed a significant demographic shift in Mexico. The national average fertility rate has dropped from 1.9 to 1.2 children per woman in just five years. Mexico City leads this trend with the lowest rate nationwide, standing at 0.8 children per woman.
This figure for Mexico City is considerably below the national average and falls far short of the population replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. In contrast, Chiapas records the highest fertility rate at 1.8 children per woman.
National Fertility Decline and Regional Differences
The INEGI survey highlights a widespread decline in fertility across Mexico. While urban areas, particularly major cities like Mexico City, show a pronounced trend towards smaller families, some rural areas maintain slightly higher birth rates.
The entities with the lowest fertility rates, following Mexico City (0.8), include:
- Querétaro (1.1)
- State of Mexico (1.1)
- Yucatán (1.1)
- Quintana Roo (1.1)
- Hidalgo (1.1)
- Morelos (1.1)
- Baja California (1.0)
Conversely, the states with the highest fertility rates are:
- Chiapas (1.8)
- Guerrero (1.6)
- Durango (1.5)
- Zacatecas (1.5)
Population Growth Despite Falling Birth Rates
Despite the declining fertility rate, Mexico’s total population has reached 130.9 million inhabitants, an increase of nearly 5 million people compared to five years ago. This places Mexico as the 11th most populous nation globally. Women constitute 51.9% of the population, while men make up 48.1%.
The median age of the Mexican population has risen to 32 years, up from 29 in 2020, indicating an aging population. Currently, one in ten Mexicans is 65 years or older.
The three most populous federal entities are:
- State of Mexico: 17.5 million inhabitants
- Mexico City: 9.1 million inhabitants
- Jalisco: 8.6 million inhabitants
Migration Trends and Demographic Shifts
The 2025 Intercensal Survey also sheds light on migration patterns. Nearly 1.2 million foreign-born individuals resided in Mexico in 2025, an increase of 147,000 since 2020. Of these, 57.1% originate from the United States, followed by Venezuela (6.5%), Cuba (5.3%), and Guatemala (4.7%).
Mexico City is also noted as one of the top three entities with the highest concentration of foreign-born residents, alongside Baja California and Chihuahua.
Between 2020 and 2025, an estimated 1.2 million people living in Mexico relocated to another country, with 150,752 individuals recorded as returning migrants.
Factors Contributing to Lower Fertility in Urban Centers
The low fertility rates in major urban centers such as Mexico City are attributed to younger generations postponing significant life milestones. These include delaying leaving the parental home, marriage, and motherhood.
The demographic changes observed in the INEGI survey underscore evolving societal norms and economic factors influencing family planning and population dynamics across Mexico.
Source: sdpnoticias.com
