Persistent Violence with Nuances
Despite recent reductions, Mexico’s violent death figures remain alarming: the country averaged 80 suspected homicides each day from January to June 2025. In total, there were 14,488 suspected homicides across the nation during this period, according to preliminary death statistics published by Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi).
Decline with Subtleties
The homicide figures for Mexico during this period showed improvement compared to the previous year; from January to June 2024, there were 16,306 homicides, representing a decrease of approximately 4.7 percent.
As a result, the homicide rate per 100,000 inhabitants stood at 11.1 in 2025, a level also lower than the 12.6 recorded per 100,000 during the same period in the previous year.
Despite the national homicide total reduction, an average of 80 homicides per day remains a high figure for a country not embroiled in warfare. Moreover, these homicides are disproportionately concentrated in certain regions, reflecting vastly different realities for people depending on where they live.
Firearms Dominate Homicide Cases
Of the cases registered in the first half of 2025, the majority were committed using firearms, maintaining a historical trend where 7 out of 10 violent deaths are attributed to these weapons.
Knife use and strangulation, suffocation, and asphyxiation followed as the second and third most common causes.
Men constituted the majority of victims with 12,781 cases, compared to 1,542 female victims and fewer cases where the deceased’s gender was unspecified.
Although more men are victims of homicide, it’s crucial to note that for female victims, many cases are explained by gender-related reasons.
The pattern of violent homicides varies by federal entity: states like Guanajuato, Baja California, and Sinaloa are among those with a considerable proportion of homicides, though some states have managed to lower their daily averages compared to 2024.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the average number of suspected homicides in Mexico from January to June 2025? The average was 80 suspected homicides per day.
- How does the 2025 homicide rate compare to the previous year? The homicide rate per 100,000 inhabitants was 11.1 in 2025, down from 12.6 in the same period of 2024.
- What are the primary methods used in suspected homicides? Firearms were the most common method, accounting for approximately 70% of cases.
- Which genders are more frequently victims of homicide? Men were the majority of homicide victims, but gender-related reasons explain many female victim cases.
- Which states in Mexico have a higher concentration of homicides? States like Guanajuato, Baja California, and Sinaloa have a considerable proportion of homicides.
