Decreasing Marriage Rates Across Mexico
In the last decade, a downward trend has been observed in the total number of marriages registered among adults, reflecting how couples and families have evolved in their ways of connecting. According to the Mexican National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi), by the end of 2024, Mexico’s marriage rate stood at 5.4 per 1,000 individuals aged 18 or older.
This rate is significantly lower than it was nearly a decade ago, when it was 6.9 per 1,000 adults in 2015. This represents a decrease of 1.5 points over just nine years.
In absolute terms, a total of 486,645 couples tied the knot across Mexico. This figure marked a 3% decline in marriage registrations compared to previous years.
Regional Disparities in Marriage Rates
While the declining trend in overall marriages is widespread, there are still substantial differences between states. These discrepancies can be attributed to local cultures and social structures.
As of 2024, Quintana Roo had the highest marriage rate at 7.7 per 1,000 adults. The top five states with the highest marriage rates based on total population were Sinaloa (7.1), Campeche (7.0), Durango (6.8), and Guanajuato (6.8).
Conversely, the Mexico City and Tlaxcala stood out as having the lowest marriage rates at 3.4 per 1,000 adults aged 18 or older.
Puebla, Hidalgo, and Guerrero completed the list of states with the lowest rates at 3.6, 3.8, and 4.3 per 1,000, respectively.
Near-Erradication of Child Marriage
In 2024, the number of marriages involving at least one minor has reached its lowest level in history, with only seven such cases registered. Despite this progress, child marriage has yet to be completely eradicated.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has acknowledged child marriage as a form of violence against the human and social rights of minors.
“Child marriage deprives girls of their childhood, placing their lives and health at risk. Girls who marry before turning 18 face a higher likelihood of domestic violence and are less likely to continue their education. Their economic and health prospects are worse compared to unmarried girls, which negatively impacts a country’s ability to provide quality health and educational services,” UNICEF states.
Moreover, in most cases of child marriage in Mexico and Latin America, the person underage is a girl, disproportionately affecting women. Addressing this issue through a gender perspective is crucial to eliminating the practice.
In Mexico, of the seven child marriage cases recorded, two occurred in Michoacán, one each in Chiapas, Durango, Quintana Roo, Nuevo León, and Sonora.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current marriage rate in Mexico? The marriage rate in Mexico is 5.4 per 1,000 adults aged 18 or older.
- How have marriage rates changed over the past decade? Marriage rates have decreased significantly, falling from 6.9 per 1,000 adults in 2015 to 5.4 per 1,000 adults in 2024.
- Which states have the highest and lowest marriage rates? Quintana Roo has the highest rate at 7.7 per 1,000 adults, while Mexico City and Tlaxcala have the lowest at 3.4 per 1,000 adults.
- What is the current status of child marriage in Mexico? Although child marriages have drastically reduced from nearly 25,000 cases a decade ago to just seven in 2024, it remains an issue that needs complete erradication.
- Why is child marriage considered harmful? Child marriage deprives girls of their childhood, increases the risk of domestic violence, and negatively impacts education and future economic prospects.
