GeoRealityMatch

The UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country. FCDO travel advice, read 29 October 2026.

Colorful houses and architecture of Guanajuato City, Mexico, create a vivid cityscape.A modern skyline view of Mexico City featuring high-rise skyscrapers and urban architecture.

Mexico

North America

Low safetyAffordable cost of livingHigh development

It is less peaceful than most countries.

Digital NomadOffers home internet at 94 Mbps.
vs United Statesvs Costa Ricavs Colombia
Safety

138th most peaceful of 161

Global Peace Index
2.650lower is more peacefulLow safety
#138 of 161
IEP GPI · 2026
Homicides
24.9per 100,000 people a yearVery highUNODC / World Bank · 2023
Safety index
47.1Numbeo's safety index, higher is saferModerateNumbeo · 2026
Money

Incomes above the median country

GNI per person
$13,730national income per person, US dollarsHigh
World Bank · 2025
Rent index
17.8New York = 100ExpensiveNumbeo · 2026
Property price to income
13.3years of median income to buy a median flatModerateNumbeo · 2026

Income and inflation over time

Income per person rose 46% in current dollars from 2006 to 2025, and rose 5% after inflation.

GDP per person, current US$At purchasing power parityInflation

$0$15K$30K$25,868 PPP$13,889Inflation, % a year8%0200620102015202020252006, $9,513 a person, $14,540 at PPP, inflation 3.6%2007, $10,134 a person, $15,032 at PPP, inflation 4%2008, $10,524 a person, $15,681 at PPP, inflation 5.1%2009, $8,424 a person, $15,191 at PPP, inflation 5.3%2010, $9,729 a person, $15,909 at PPP, inflation 4.2%2011, $10,664 a person, $17,267 at PPP, inflation 3.4%2012, $10,744 a person, $18,005 at PPP, inflation 4.1%2013, $11,217 a person, $18,170 at PPP, inflation 3.8%2014, $11,391 a person, $18,821 at PPP, inflation 4%2015, $10,021 a person, $19,071 at PPP, inflation 2.7%2016, $9,098 a person, $20,105 at PPP, inflation 2.8%2017, $9,649 a person, $20,489 at PPP, inflation 6%2018, $10,085 a person, $20,921 at PPP, inflation 4.9%2019, $10,370 a person, $20,964 at PPP, inflation 3.6%2020, $8,841 a person, $19,354 at PPP, inflation 3.4%2021, $10,314 a person, $20,783 at PPP, inflation 5.7%2022, $11,406 a person, $23,135 at PPP, inflation 7.9%2023, $13,831 a person, $25,188 at PPP, inflation 5.5%2024, $13,988 a person, $25,820 at PPP, inflation 4.7%2025, $13,889 a person, $25,868 at PPP, inflation 3.8%$0$15K$30KInflation, % a year8%0200620102015202020252006, $9,513 a person, $14,540 at PPP, inflation 3.6%2007, $10,134 a person, $15,032 at PPP, inflation 4%2008, $10,524 a person, $15,681 at PPP, inflation 5.1%2009, $8,424 a person, $15,191 at PPP, inflation 5.3%2010, $9,729 a person, $15,909 at PPP, inflation 4.2%2011, $10,664 a person, $17,267 at PPP, inflation 3.4%2012, $10,744 a person, $18,005 at PPP, inflation 4.1%2013, $11,217 a person, $18,170 at PPP, inflation 3.8%2014, $11,391 a person, $18,821 at PPP, inflation 4%2015, $10,021 a person, $19,071 at PPP, inflation 2.7%2016, $9,098 a person, $20,105 at PPP, inflation 2.8%2017, $9,649 a person, $20,489 at PPP, inflation 6%2018, $10,085 a person, $20,921 at PPP, inflation 4.9%2019, $10,370 a person, $20,964 at PPP, inflation 3.6%2020, $8,841 a person, $19,354 at PPP, inflation 3.4%2021, $10,314 a person, $20,783 at PPP, inflation 5.7%2022, $11,406 a person, $23,135 at PPP, inflation 7.9%2023, $13,831 a person, $25,188 at PPP, inflation 5.5%2024, $13,988 a person, $25,820 at PPP, inflation 4.7%2025, $13,889 a person, $25,868 at PPP, inflation 3.8%

World Bank: GDP per person in current US dollars and at PPP, real GDP per person, consumer price inflation. Observed years only.

Health

Around the middle for life expectancy

Life expectancy
75.3years, at birthHigh
#86 of 195
World Bank · 2024
Health coverage
79WHO universal health coverage index, 0 to 100HighWHO · 2023
Air pollution
16.1PM2.5, micrograms per cubic metre, national averageModerateWHO · 2023
Work and internet

Fast home internet

Unemployment rate
2.7%share of the labour force without a jobWorld Bank · 2025
Home internet
94 Mbpsmedian download speedFastOokla Speedtest · 2025
English proficiency
440EF English Proficiency Index scoreVery lowEF EPI · 2025

Internet speeds

Home internet94 MbpsFast
Mobile44 MbpsVery slow

Ookla Speedtest Global Index, median download speed, ranked among the countries Ookla lists.

Visas and moving

Remote work: FMME (Forma Migratoria Multiple Electronica)Medium

No dedicated DNV. Temporary Resident Visa (Economic Solvency / Rentista). ~680 UMA/month (~$4,630). Fee: ~$720 (MXN 1,095 interview + MXN 11,141 card). Initial consular visa valid 180 days; exchange for Temporary Resident Card at INM within 30 days of arrival. Up to 4-year card.

Minimum income
$4,630 a month
Duration
48 months
Renewable
Yes
Application fee
$12,236about $720
  • Tax treatmentLocal rates apply
  • Processing timeAbout 30 days
  • DependantsAllowed
  • Apply onlineIn person or at a consulate
  • Path to residencyYes
  • NationalitiesOpen to all
Official page
A modern skyline view of Mexico City featuring high-rise skyscrapers and urban architecture.
How it changed

Mexico's Human Development Index

0.789High human development

81st of 193 in UNDP's 2023 ranking, 12th of 23 in North America.

UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita. UNDP Human Development Report 2025.

Nearest countries by HDI

  1. #80Grenada0.791
  2. #81Azerbaijan0.789
  3. #81Mexico0.789
  4. #83Colombia0.788
  5. #84Brazil0.786
Full HDI ranking, all 193 countries

HDI since 1990

Year by year

Human development rose from 0.668 in 1990 to 0.789 in 2023.

0.600.720.850.78919902000201020231990: 0.6681991: 0.6701992: 0.6721993: 0.6751994: 0.6801995: 0.6801996: 0.6871997: 0.6941998: 0.7011999: 0.7062000: 0.7122001: 0.7152002: 0.7222003: 0.7282004: 0.7322005: 0.7362006: 0.7452007: 0.7472008: 0.7502009: 0.7492010: 0.7512011: 0.7572012: 0.7642013: 0.7652014: 0.7692015: 0.7732016: 0.7782017: 0.7812018: 0.7852019: 0.7882020: 0.7632021: 0.7612022: 0.7832023: 0.7890.600.720.8519902000201020231990: 0.6681991: 0.6701992: 0.6721993: 0.6751994: 0.6801995: 0.6801996: 0.6871997: 0.6941998: 0.7011999: 0.7062000: 0.7122001: 0.7152002: 0.7222003: 0.7282004: 0.7322005: 0.7362006: 0.7452007: 0.7472008: 0.7502009: 0.7492010: 0.7512011: 0.7572012: 0.7642013: 0.7652014: 0.7692015: 0.7732016: 0.7782017: 0.7812018: 0.7852019: 0.7882020: 0.7632021: 0.7612022: 0.7832023: 0.789

UNDP Human Development Report, 2025 edition. 34 annual values, none interpolated.

Twenty years here

Year by yearThe world report
Life expectancy at birth
75.3 years2024at birthUp 1.6 years from 73.6 years in 2005
Internet users
83%2024of people onlineUp 64 points from 20% in 2006
Urban population
80%2025of people in towns and citiesUp 4 points from 77% in 2006
Births per woman
1.892024births per womanDown 0.61 from 2.50 in 2005
Renewable share of energy
13%2021of energy usedUp 3 points from 10% in 2004
Access to electricity
100%2024of people with electricityUp 1 point from 99% in 2005
Infant mortality
122024deaths before age one, per 1,000 birthsDown 7 from 20 in 2005
CO2 emissions per person
3.6 t2024of CO2 per person a yearDown 0.6 t from 4.2 t in 2005
Forest area
34%2023of land under forestDown 1 point from 35% in 2004

World Bank, from the first to the last observed year of each indicator; each has its own window.

Our take

Booming expat scene and a serious food culture; safety varies sharply by region. The case against is a low peace ranking and little English among locals.

About Mexico

Mexico is a country of extraordinary breadth, from the Aztec and Maya archaeological sites of the centre and south, to the canyons of the northwest, the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán, the food culture of Oaxaca, and one of the world's great megacities in Mexico City. The culture is a vibrant fusion of indigenous, Spanish, and contemporary influences, deeply expressive in its art, food, and festivals. Those who explore beyond the resort zones will find one of the richest travel destinations on earth.

Practical facts

  • CapitalMexico City
  • LanguagesSpanish
  • CurrencyMexican peso (MXN)
  • Area1,943,950 km²
  • Plug typeType A/B
  • Drives on theright
Weigh Mexico against your priorities
Every figure

Everything we hold on Mexico

Compare Mexico

Borders

BelizeGuatemalaUnited States

Side by side

vs United Statesvs Costa Ricavs Colombiavs Brazilvs Panamavs Spainvs Dominican Republicvs Portugalvs ThailandCompare any two countries

Quick answers

What is Mexico's Human Development Index?

Mexico's Human Development Index is 0.789 for 2023 (UNDP Human Development Report 2025), ranked #81 of 193 by UNDP.

Is Mexico safe?

Mexico scores 2.65 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #138 of 161 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.

How expensive is Mexico?

Numbeo's cost-of-living index puts Mexico at 42.6 (New York = 100); that is #77 cheapest of 143 countries with data.

What is life expectancy in Mexico?

Life expectancy at birth in Mexico is 75.3 yrs (World Bank), ranked #86 of 195 countries.

What is the quality of life in Mexico?

Numbeo's quality-of-life index scores Mexico at 125.3, ranked #58 of 87 countries with data. It composites purchasing power, safety, healthcare, cost of living, commute and pollution from resident surveys, so it reflects what residents report rather than what an economy produces.