The Latinobarómetro revealed that the regional average perception of corruption in Latin America was 31 percent. This data complements the report of Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index (CPI) regarding the situation in Mexico. Although the CPI indicates an increase in corruption, Mexico is below the regional average of 75 percent of people believing that corruption in their country has increased.
According to the survey, 52 percent of Mexicans believe that there has been little or no progress in reducing corruption in state institutions over the last two years. Unlike El Salvador and Venezuela, where the Latinobarómetro shows more favorable data than the CPI, in Mexico and Guatemala, perceptions are more balanced.
In the specific case of Mexico in the Latinobarómetro of 2024, 56 percent of respondents stated that corruption increased over the past year, while only 18 percent thought it decreased. At the regional level, this perception averaged 60 percent.
The country has experienced a decrease in its CPI index score, dropping from 31 points in 2022 to 26 points in 2024, placing it in 140th position globally. This 5-point drop shows a deterioration in the perception of corruption over the last decade, reflecting a lack of significant progress in the fight against this issue.
Despite discrepancies between expert and citizen perceptions in the region, the 2024 Latinobarómetro study highlights that, in general, corruption remains a concerning issue in Latin America. The comparison between CPI measurements and the Latinobarómetro has revealed that, although there are some exceptions, the perception of corruption is generally high in the region.
In conclusion, the data collected underscores the importance of effectively addressing corruption in Mexico and throughout the region, with the aim of strengthening institutions and promoting transparency in public management.
