Mexico Dependency Ratio
Age dependency ratio (% of working-age population) SP.POP.DPND
Mexico's dependency ratio was 48.27 in 2025, ranked 159th globally. This represents a 0.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Mexico's dependency ratio stood at 48.27 in 2025, a decline of +0.45 from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 48.27 by 2025. Mexico ranked 159th globally.
Mexico’s dependency ratio has fallen dramatically over the 66‑year span from 98.33 in 1960 to a trough of 48.27 in 2025, the lowest level recorded in the series and the 159th lowest among all nations in the World Bank database. The all‑time peak of 101.91 occurred in 1972, reflecting a post‑demographic‑transition surge in the proportion of non‑working‑age persons relative to the labor force. The recent decline mirrors broader regional patterns; for example, El Salvador posted a comparable ratio of 48.51 and Ecuador 48.16 in the same year, underscoring a shift toward a younger, more economically active population in Latin America. Structural reforms, rising labor‑force participation among women, and modest improvements in life expectancy have all contributed to the compression of the dependent cohort. If fertility rates continue to moderate and health outcomes improve, the dependency ratio is likely to remain low, supporting a favorable dependency burden for Mexico’s economy in the coming decades.
Data & projection
| Year | Dependency Ratio | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 47.48 | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 47.87 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 48.27 | - | - |
| 2025 | 48.27 | −0.45 | #159 |
| 2024 | 48.72 | −0.32 | #57 |
| 2023 | 49.04 | −0.34 | #59 |
| 2022 | 49.38 | −0.43 | #60 |
| 2021 | 49.81 | −0.50 | #65 |
| 2020 | 50.31 | −0.48 | #71 |
| 2019 | 50.79 | −0.48 | #78 |
| 2018 | 51.27 | −0.55 | #81 |
| 2017 | 51.82 | −0.58 | #90 |
| 2016 | 52.40 | −0.58 | #99 |
| 2015 | 52.97 | −0.54 | #109 |
| 2014 | 53.51 | −0.51 | #112 |
| 2013 | 54.03 | −0.54 | #115 |
| 2012 | 54.56 | −0.62 | #120 |
| 2011 | 55.18 | −0.75 | #124 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Mexico matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 1999. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw dependency ratio improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Mexico's dependency ratio was 48.27 in 2025. Ranked 159th globally. This represents a 0.9% decrease from the previous year.
Mexico's dependency ratio peaked at 101.91 in 1972.
The lowest dependency ratio in Mexico was 48.27 in 2025.
Mexico ranks 159th globally in dependency ratio as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.POP.DPND. Data sourced from World Bank.
Mexico's dependency ratio is projected to reach 48.27 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The dependency ratio of Mexico in 2025 was 48.27. This ranks 159th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_mexico_dependency-ratio,
title = {Mexico Dependency Ratio},
url = {https://historysaid.com/mexico/dependency-ratio/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}