Introduction
The Índice de Desarrollo Digital Estatal (IDDE) 2025, developed by the Centro México Digital (CMD), highlights the significant digital divide in Mexico. The Ciudad de México scored 232 points, while Chiapas received a mere 66, indicating that the capital is 3.5 times more digital than the least developed state.
Key Findings
- Regional Disparity: The digital gap is evident, with the northern and Bajío regions, including states like Nuevo León and Querétaro, leading in technology adoption, patents, and STEM talent. The south-southeastern region, led by Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Guerrero, shows slower growth but recent improvements.
- Digital Leaders: The Ciudad de México, along with Nuevo León, Querétaro, Aguascalientes, and Baja California, have a structural advantage due to sustained investment in digital infrastructure and talent.
- Digital Maturity: The Ciudad de México demonstrates digital maturity in both public and private sectors, while Nuevo León leads across all technology levels.
- Digital Inequality: The south-southeastern region faces challenges in affordability and adoption, with high internet and device access costs hindering effective connectivity.
- Government Digitalization: While Aguascalientes, Ciudad de México, and Morelos excel in public service digitalization, other entities have seen a decline in web accessibility and modernization of procedures.
- Innovation Gap: Only 7% of Mexican companies utilize emerging technologies like AI, robotics, or blockchain. The gap between leading and lagging states is 5.4 times.
Implications and Recommendations
Salma Jalife, director of the Centro México Digital, aims to bridge this digital divide, envisioning a future where the gap narrows to “two very close Mexicos” in the medium term. This requires coordination among government, academia, and industry, along with tailored policies for each state.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: What does the IDDE 2025 report reveal about Mexico’s digital landscape?
A: The report highlights significant regional disparities, with the northern and Bajío regions leading in digital development, while the south-southeastern region lags but shows recent improvements. - Q: Which states are the digital leaders in Mexico?
A: The Ciudad de México, Nuevo León, Querétaro, Aguascalientes, and Baja California are the digital leaders, with the Ciudad de México demonstrating particular maturity in both public and private sectors. - Q: What challenges does the south-southeastern region face in digital development?
A: The region faces affordability and adoption challenges, with high costs of internet access and devices hindering effective connectivity. - Q: How does the IDDE 2025 report assess Mexico’s government digitalization?
A: While some states like Aguascalientes, Ciudad de México, and Morelos excel in public service digitalization, others have seen a decline in web accessibility and modernization of procedures. - Q: What is the innovation gap highlighted by the IDDE 2025 report?
A: Only a small percentage of Mexican companies utilize emerging technologies, and the gap between leading and lagging states is substantial.
