According to the 2024 Executive Opinion Survey from the World Economic Forum (WEF), conducted with nearly 11,000 people worldwide, the lack of water is considered the main risk for Mexico in the short term. After water, respondents ranked crime and criminal economic activity second, followed by energy scarcity, poverty and inequality, and insufficient public services and social protections.
In this study, part of the WEF's 2025 Global Risks Report, it is revealed that only 10 of the 121 surveyed countries perceive an environmental risk as the most important. Among them, Mexico, India, Uzbekistan, and Morocco stand out for their greater concern about water compared to other risks.
In previous editions of the survey, water did not even feature among the top 5 concerns. However, in the latest edition, the topic has gained relevance, possibly due to the drought experienced by Mexico between 2023 and 2024. This change in risk perception has led to a rethinking of sustainable water management in the country, especially considering the expected growth for Monterrey and its metropolitan area in the coming years.
It is noteworthy that, despite the emergence of water risks, this latest survey has shown a decrease in concern about the political stability of the country. This is intriguing, considering the survey was conducted during the electoral campaigns and shortly after the federal election results were known.
It is essential that public policies reflect the importance of ensuring access to water for both human consumption and industrial and agricultural development. Water security is fundamental to the future of Mexico and the country's competitiveness on the global stage.
