Mexico
Freedom at a Glance
Global Freedom
58 / 100
Partly Free
Internet Freedom
59 / 100
Partly Free
Mexico has been an electoral democracy since 2000, and alternation in power between parties is routine at both the federal and state levels. However, the country suffers from severe rule of law deficits that limit full citizen enjoyment of political rights and civil liberties.
Research & Recommendations
Mexico
Partly Free
58
100
| PR Political Rights | 26 40 |
| CL Civil Liberties | 32 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
59
100
Partly Free
A country or territory’s Freedom in the World status depends on its aggregate Political Rights score, on a scale of 0–40, and its aggregate Civil Liberties score, on a scale of 0–60.
See the methodology.
Overview
Mexico has been an electoral democracy since 2000 and power has alternated between parties at both the federal and state levels, though the left-leaning National Regeneration Movement (Morena) has grown dominant in recent years. The country suffers from severe rule-of-law deficits that limit full citizen enjoyment of political rights and civil liberties. Violence perpetrated by organized criminals, corruption among government officials, human rights abuses by both state and nonstate actors, and rampant impunity are among the most visible of Mexico’s many governance challenges.
Freedom in the World 2026 Policy Recommendations
Strengthen democratic coordination and collective action in a contested global order
Democratic resilience will increasingly depend on stronger coordination among countries that share a commitment to freedom, the rule of law, and accountable governance.
Reimagine international democracy assistance to help reverse the global decline in freedom
International support for democratic institutions, civil society, and independent media has been associated with modest but meaningful improvements in democratic governance, and it is far less costly than the military outlays necessitated by rising authoritarian aggression.
Prioritize engagement with younger generations in the digital spaces where civic identity is now formed
Young people are increasingly dissatisfied with democracy—not because they reject its principles, but because they see institutions failing to deliver on them. Programmatic work should create clear pathways for meaningful political participation, from voting and policy engagement to community organizing and public leadership, so that young people can translate their expectations into agency.
Mexico
Partly Free
59
100
| A Obstacles to Access | 18 25 |
| B Limits on Content | 24 35 |
| C Violations of User Rights | 17 40 |
Last Year's Score & Status
61
100
Partly Free
Scores are based on a scale of 0 (least free) to 100 (most free).
See the methodology and report acknowledgements.
Overview
Internet freedom in Mexico declined during the coverage period. The legislature approved a package of laws facilitating state surveillance without adequate oversight. Mexico continued to be one of the world’s deadliest countries for journalists, with significant impunity for perpetrators. Judicial harassment against online journalists continued to escalate. All of these factors contributed to a climate of self-censorship.
Freedom on the Net 2026 Policy Recommendations
Undermine Authoritarian Internet Restrictions
Access to the internet is under threat as authoritarian powers continue to create barriers for people to freely express themselves online. Internet shutdowns, throttling, and platform blocking remain among the most common tools of digital repression. At the same time, digital technologies serve as a lifeline for people seeking to expose human rights violations to the outside world and hold dictators accountable.
Safeguard Privacy Online
Protecting privacy online is essential to safeguarding free expression in repressive contexts. Without strong privacy protections, journalists and human rights defenders may self-censor out of a fear of reprisal. Rapid advances in AI—and the growing threat of automated vulnerability exploitation—heighten these risks, leaving civil society organizations increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated cyberattacks.
News and Updates
Freedom House Perspectives
News Releases & Media Coverage
Country Facts
Basic Facts
Freedom in the World Score
58
/ 100
Partly Free
Freedom on the Net Score
59
/ 100
Partly Free
Population: 127,500,000
Election Facts
Status
Past Election
Date of Election
June 2, 2024
Type of Election
General
Internet Penetration
78.60%
Election Year
2024
Vulnerability Index
60
/ 100
Transnational Repression
Status
Not Tracked
