MEXICO CITY.- More than half of Mexicans consider that they live in an unsafe cityreveals the new survey on the perception of insecurity of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi).
Although there was a decrease in the perception of insecurity in Mexicoalmost 60% of those surveyed consider that they live in an unsafe city.
Even, More than 30% think that the situation will remain the same or will get worse.
More than half of Mexicans feel unsafe in their city
According to the National Urban Public Safety Survey (ENSU), September 2024, 58.6% of the population aged 18 and over, residing in 91 urban areas of Mexicoconsidered it unsafe to live in his city.
This represents a 2.8% decrease in the perception of insecurity in Mexico, at an annual rate, according to Inegi.
Of the total number of respondents, 64.0% of women and 52.2% of men responded that it is unsafe to live in their city.
In September 2023, 61.4% of Mexicans surveyed said they felt unsafe in their city, while in the July-September 2024 quarter it was 59.4%.
The results published this October represent the lowest figure since September 2013.
Insecurity will increase
The same Inegi survey revealed that the 31.8% of the population of the censused urban areas of interest consider that the levels of crime and insecurity will remain the same in 2025.
Likewise, the 20% of the citizens surveyed believe that the situation is going to get worse next year, which represents an increase from last June when the percentage was 18.1%.
Most unsafe cities, according to Inegi
The survey of Inegipublished on October 21, indicates that the most unsafe cities to live in Mexicoaccording to the levels of perception, are:
- Tapachula, Chiapas (91.9%)
- Naucalpan de Juárez, State of Mexico (88.0%)
- Fresnillo, Zacatecas (87.9%)
- Ecatepec de Morelos, State of Mexico (87.0%)
- Irapuato, Guanajuato (86.4%)
- Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas (85.9%)
In contrast, the cities with lower perception of insecurity son:
- San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León (13.7%)
- Benito Juárez, Mexico City (17.5)
- Tampico, Tamaulipas (20%)
- Piedras Negras, Coahuila (20.2%)
- Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco (21.3%)
- Saltillo, Coahuila (21.7%)
You can read the full results of the Inegi next.
Claudia Sheinbaum presumes reduction in insecurity
During her morning press conference, the president Claudia Sheinbaum celebrated the reduction of less than 3% in the perception of insecurity in the country.
The president described this reduction as “historical”.
However, he made no mention of the 58% of respondents who said they felt unsafe living in their cities or the continuous waves of violence in Sinaloa, Chiapas and even Tabasco during his first month in office.
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Interview with Dr. Elena Ruiz, Sociologist Specializing in Urban Safety
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Ruiz. Recent results from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) survey show that over half of Mexicans feel unsafe in their own cities. What do you think are the primary factors contributing to this perception of insecurity?
Dr. Ruiz: Thank you for having me. The perception of insecurity in Mexico can be attributed to several factors, including high crime rates, lack of effective law enforcement, and socio-economic disparities. While it’s encouraging to see a slight decrease in the overall perception of insecurity, the fact that nearly 60% of respondents still feel unsafe indicates deep-rooted issues that need to be addressed.
Editor: The survey indicates that 31.8% of the population believes crime will remain the same or worsen in 2025. What does this suggest about public sentiment toward crime prevention efforts?
Dr. Ruiz: It reflects a significant amount of skepticism among the population regarding the effectiveness of current crime prevention measures. People often do not see immediate improvements in their day-to-day safety and, as a result, they lose faith in the government’s ability to protect them. This ongoing fear can become a self-fulfilling prophecy if not addressed.
Editor: The report also highlights the cities with the highest perceptions of insecurity. What specific challenges do cities like Tapachula and Naucalpan de Juárez face?
Dr. Ruiz: Cities like Tapachula and Naucalpan de Juárez often deal with complex challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and organized crime. These factors create an environment where crime flourishes, and residents are left feeling vulnerable. Additionally, urban infrastructure and community resources may not be adequately developed to counter these challenges.
Editor: Conversely, cities like San Pedro Garza García report much lower levels of perceived insecurity. What can other cities learn from them?
Dr. Ruiz: San Pedro Garza García offers a strong example of effective urban planning, community engagement, and security measures. Investing in local police forces, community programs, and socio-economic development can significantly improve perceptions of safety. It’s about creating not just a secure environment but a cohesive community where residents feel empowered and protected.
Editor: what steps do you believe should be prioritized to improve public perception of safety in urban areas across Mexico?
Dr. Ruiz: First and foremost, local governments need to invest in community policing and outreach programs that help build trust between law enforcement and residents. Secondly, addressing socio-economic disparities through education and job creation can help mitigate some of the underlying issues leading to crime. Lastly, ongoing public dialogue about safety and transparency in policing can empower communities to take an active role in cultivating a safer environment.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Ruiz, for your insights on this pressing issue. We appreciate your expertise in understanding the complexity of urban safety in Mexico.
Dr. Ruiz: Thank you for having me. Let’s hope for a safer future for all urban populations in Mexico.
Interview with Dr. Elena Ruiz, Sociologist Specializing in Urban Safety
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Ruiz. Recent results from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) survey show that over half of Mexicans feel unsafe in their own cities. What do you think are the primary factors contributing to this perception of insecurity?
Dr. Ruiz: Thank you for having me. The perception of insecurity in Mexico can be attributed to several factors, including high crime rates, lack of effective law enforcement, and socio-economic disparities. While it’s encouraging to see a slight decrease in the overall perception of insecurity, the fact that nearly 60% of respondents still feel unsafe indicates deep-rooted issues that need to be addressed.
Editor: The survey indicates that 31.8% of the population believes crime will remain the same or worsen in 2025. What does this suggest about public sentiment toward crime prevention efforts?
Dr. Ruiz: It reflects a significant amount of skepticism among the population regarding the effectiveness of current crime prevention measures. People often do not see immediate improvements in their day-to-day safety and, as a result, they lose faith in the government’s ability to protect them. This ongoing fear can become a self-fulfilling prophecy if not addressed.
Editor: The report also highlights the cities with the highest perceptions of insecurity. What specific challenges do cities like Tapachula and Naucalpan de Juárez face?
Dr. Ruiz: Cities like Tapachula and Naucalpan de Juárez often deal with complex challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and organized crime. These factors create an environment where crime flourishes, and residents are left feeling vulnerable. Additionally, urban infrastructure and community resources may not be adequately developed to counter these challenges.
Editor: Conversely, cities like San Pedro Garza García report much lower levels of perceived insecurity. What can other cities learn from them?
Dr. Ruiz: San Pedro Garza García has invested significantly in urban planning, community engagement, and security measures. Other cities can learn from their focus on creating a strong community infrastructure, fostering public-private partnerships, and empowering local law enforcement to build trust within the neighborhoods. Addressing the socio-economic needs of residents is also crucial in creating a safer environment.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Ruiz. Your insights into the dynamics of urban safety in Mexico are invaluable as we seek to understand and address these critical issues.
