Mexico faces demographic crisis of adolescent pregnancy and economic barriers to parenthood

Mexico is facing a complex demographic paradox involving both high rates of adolescent pregnancy in specific regions and a growing reluctance among young adults to have children due to economic pressures.

In the State of Mexico, high population density has led to a significant number of births among minors. According to INEGI data, 9,833 births were recorded in 2025 for mothers aged 10 to 17. While the state's specific fertility rate of 8.1 per thousand adolescents is below the national average of 9.6, the absolute volume is high. A concerning 1,930 births were attributed to mothers under 15, including over 700 cases involving girls aged 10 to 14. This crisis is most acute in marginalized urban peripheries, including Ecatepec, Chimalhuacán, Nezahualcóyotl, Naucalpan, Chalco, and Toluca.

Simultaneously, a broader societal shift is occurring where young people are increasingly viewing parenthood as a luxury. Economic challenges, such as the rising cost of housing, high interest rates, and the general expense of raising a child, are cited as primary reasons why younger generations are delaying or opting out of starting families.