Public perception of insecurity hits its lowest level in 13 years

In the latest quarterly security survey carried out by INEGI, the perception of insecurity among Mexicans has slipped to its lowest point since the agency began tracking the data in September 2013. Even so, more than half of the adult population—58.1%—still feels unsafe in the city where they live, a stark reminder that the sense of danger remains a daily reality for many families across the country.

How the survey is conducted and what it measures

The INEGI survey reaches roughly 28,000 homes in 91 cities spread across all 32 states, focusing on residents aged 18 and older who live permanently in private housing units within designated urban areas. Respondents are asked about the principal problems affecting their neighborhoods, ranging from crime to basic services. Importantly, the survey captures perceived safety rather than actual crime statistics, asking people how safe they feel in public spaces such as ATMs, public transit, streets and highways.

Security Minister Omar García Harfuch highlighted that the survey shows “important advances in what people observe and hear in their communities,” noting that respondents reported fewer robberies and less gunfire. While perception does not equal incidence, the shift in sentiment can influence everything from daily routines to political pressure on local authorities.

Because the questionnaire is administered uniformly across the same set of cities each quarter, trends can be tracked over time. Comparing the latest results with those from September 2025, the minister noted that residents in 28 of the 91 cities reported “significant improvements,” suggesting that localized efforts may be bearing fruit.

Geography of fear: cities at the extremes

At the bleak end of the spectrum, Irapuato in Guanajuato stands out as the city where insecurity feels most acute, with 90.5% of adults saying they consider their city unsafe. Close behind are Chilpancingo in Guerrero (86.9%) and Mazatlán in Sinaloa (85.8%). These figures illustrate how perception can cluster in regions already known for high levels of organized crime and drug‑related violence.

Conversely, the most secure feeling is reported in affluent suburbs such as San Pedro Garza García, a wealthy enclave of Monterrey, where only 5.8% of respondents feel unsafe. The borough of Benito Juárez in Mexico City follows with 13.8%, and San Nicolás de los Garza and Piedras Negras each register around 14.3%. These lower percentages align with the presence of better‑maintained infrastructure, stronger municipal services, and higher socioeconomic status.

The contrast between these poles underscores how perception of safety is intertwined with everyday conditions—clean streets, reliable water, and functional public spaces—factors that can either amplify or mitigate fear.

Public spaces where anxiety lingers

Even as overall perception improves, certain public spaces remain sources of unease. The survey found that 68.7% of the population feels unsafe using ATMs located on public roads, the highest level of insecurity among the settings examined. Streets themselves register a 61.8% feeling of unsafety, while public transport is close behind at 61.1%.

Highways, often thought of as arteries of commerce and travel, still provoke fear for 55.3% of respondents. These numbers suggest that while crime may have receded in some neighborhoods, the lingering presence of gunfire, robberies or even the sight of armed groups continues to shape how Mexicans navigate everyday life.

Such pervasive anxiety can affect economic activity: people may avoid traveling after dark, limit trips to essential errands, or choose to shop at neighborhood tianguis rather than larger malls, reinforcing a cycle where fear limits mobility and opportunity.

Infrastructure woes that compound insecurity

Beyond crime, the survey highlighted that 83.1% of participants view potholes in streets and avenues as a significant problem. Cracked roads not only damage vehicles but also serve as visual reminders of municipal neglect, eroding trust in local authorities.

Water service failures and leaks affect 61.2% of respondents, while 57% complain about clogged storm sewers. When basic services falter, residents often feel abandoned, and that sense of abandonment can translate into heightened perception of insecurity, even in the absence of violent incidents.

These infrastructure challenges are especially acute in cities that also report high insecurity, creating a double burden for families who must contend with both safety concerns and daily inconveniences that affect health, work and school attendance.

Cities showing notable shifts in perception

While many locales remain entrenched in fear, some cities have experienced meaningful changes over the past quarter. San Francisco de Campeche saw its perception of insecurity drop from 65.9% to 49.6%, a reduction that suggests effective local measures or perhaps a shift in public awareness.

Similarly, Tlalnepantla de Baz in the State of Mexico reduced its perceived insecurity from 73.1% to 59.3%, and Ciudad Obregón in Sonora fell from 82.4% to 69.8%. These declines may reflect targeted policing, community outreach, or improvements in municipal services that help residents feel safer.

On the opposite side, Hermosillo, Lázaro Cárdenas and Ciudad Victoria reported increases in perceived insecurity, rising from 43.2% to 53.2%, 33.0% to 42.3% and 47.5% to 56.5% respectively. Such upticks warrant closer scrutiny, as they could signal emerging security gaps or heightened media coverage of violent events.

What the numbers mean for Mexico’s democratic fabric

Perception of insecurity is more than a statistical curiosity; it shapes political discourse, voter behavior and the social contract between citizens and the state. When more than half of the adult population feels unsafe, trust in public institutions erodes, and demands for stronger security policies intensify.

Minister García Harfuch’s acknowledgment of “important advances” reflects an effort to frame the data as evidence of progress, yet the persistence of a 58.1% insecurity perception signals that much work remains. Policymakers must balance hard‑line security approaches with investments in infrastructure, water systems and storm‑water management to address the broader determinants of fear.

For ordinary families—whether they are buying tortillas at a local tortillería, sending children to school in a colonia, or commuting on a bus through a bustling tianguis—the sense of safety determines whether they can plan for the future or remain locked in a daily struggle for survival. As Mexico heads toward the 2027 electoral cycle, the way leaders respond to these perceptions will be a litmus test for the health of its democracy and the promise of a more secure, just society.

This article was produced with AI-assisted research and editorial support. Reporting is based on the source material cited below. Sources: Mexico News Daily; mexiconewsdaily.com; Global1.News (24 October 2026).

By Rosa Martinez, Staff Writer