The National Urban Safety Survey (ENSU) for the fourth quarter of 2024 revealed that 47.2% of the surveyed individuals reported having been victims of at least one act of corruption by security personnel. Additionally, during the same period, 61.7% of the population residing in 91 urban areas considered living in their city to be unsafe.
According to the ENSU, in December 2024, the cities with the highest perception of insecurity were Villahermosa, Uruapan, Fresnillo, Culiacán, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, and Tapachula. In the state of Nuevo León, Monterrey led the feeling of insecurity with 62.9% of the population feeling unsafe, followed by Guadalupe and Santa Catarina. In contrast, San Pedro Garza García had the lowest percentage of insecurity perception in the country, with only 14% of the population feeling unsafe.
During the second half of 2024, it is estimated that 25.4% of households in urban areas had at least one member being a victim of robbery, extortion, or other crime. Extortion affected 11.4% of the surveyed households, followed by fraud (10.0%), street or public transport robbery (8.7%), and partial vehicle theft (8.5%). Expectations about future safety are not promising, as 30.9% of the respondents believe that the situation will worsen in the next twelve months.
On the other hand, the 2024 Economic Censuses highlight that more than 209,000 businesses operate in Nuevo León, employing over 2 million people. Most of these establishments are micro-enterprises employing fewer than 10 people and represent 89.7% of the total, significantly contributing to the local economy. Additionally, there is a shift in payment methods, with a decrease in cash usage and an increase in electronic transfers and the use of credit or debit cards.
In summary, insecurity continues to be a serious problem affecting a significant portion of the Mexican population, while the local economy shows a trend towards more modern payment methods.
