Homicides in Mexico Fell 16.6% in 2025, the Biggest Drop in the Last 12 Years

ByDenisse Torres Hernández

This article by Denisse Torres Hernández originally appeared in the August 3, 2026 edition of SinEmbargo, a Mexican independent digital news outlet.

Mexico City, August 3 (SinEmbargo).— Mexico closed 2025 with 27,989 deaths from presumed homicide, a reduction of 16.6 percent from the previous year, the largest decrease registered in the last 12 years; despite this, firearms continued to be the most-used method for committing this crime, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI).

The preliminary figures published this Monday show that during 2025 there were 5,561 fewer presumed homicides than in 2024, when 33,550 deaths were counted.

The decrease was also reflected in the national rate, which went from 25.8 to 21.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, according to the Registered Deaths Statistics (EDR) produced by the agency.

Although the preliminary figures point to a reduction in the number of victims, the use of firearms continued to predominate in this type of crime.

INEGI also reported in its statement that 70.8 percent of the deaths from presumed homicide were caused by shootings, while sharp weapons or objects represented 9.4 percent of the total cases registered during the year.

The differences were also evident among the country’s states: Guanajuato led the national list with 3,249 deaths from presumed homicide, followed by the state of México, with 2,575; Chihuahua, with 2,106; Baja California, with 2,095; and Sinaloa, with 1,805 cases.

In contrast, Yucatán registered the lowest figure, with 42 deaths, followed by Campeche, with 97; Durango, with 108; Coahuila, with 109; and Tlaxcala, with 139.

Among men, the preliminary rate was 38.4 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, eight points below the one registered in 2024, when the indicator was 46.4.

Among women, the rate went from 5.6 to 4.7 per 100,000 inhabitants, according to the results released by INEGI.

INEGI explained that the information comes from the Registered Deaths Statistics, which gather administrative data from across the country to track the behavior of presumed homicides nationally and by state.