Unmet need for contraception in Mexico
Mexico: Unmet need for contraception was 10.8% in 2018. ▼ Falling
Unmet need for contraception in Mexico, 1987–2018
Source: Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division. Measured in % of married women ages 15-49.
Analysis
Mexico recorded 10.8% for unmet need for contraception in 2018.
That represents a change of down 16.4% on the previous year and up 10.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unmet need for contraception in Mexico peaked at 24.1% in 1987 and was at its lowest, 9.8%, in 2009.
Mexico ranks 44th of 58 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Unmet need for contraception in Mexico, year by year
| Year | % of married women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 24.1% | — |
| 1995 | 16.1% | -33.2% |
| 1997 | 12.1% | -24.8% |
| 2003 | 9.9% | -18.2% |
| 2006 | 12.0% | +21.2% |
| 2009 | 9.8% | -18.3% |
| 2014 | 11.4% | +16.3% |
| 2015 | 12.9% | +13.4% |
| 2018 | 10.8% | -16.4% |
Mexico compared with similar countries
- Mexico's 10.8% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 11.2%, 96% of the median. (18 countries reporting)
- Mexico's 10.8% is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 12.1%, 89% of the median. (13 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 24.1% | 24.1% | 24.1% | 1 |
| 1990s | 14.1% | 12.1% | 16.1% | 2 |
| 2000s | 10.6% | 9.8% | 12.0% | 3 |
| 2010s | 11.7% | 10.8% | 12.9% | 3 |
Countries ranked near Mexico
More health data for Mexico
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.67 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.6599 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,312 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 2,760 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.9607 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0377 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -0.9678 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unmet need for contraception in Mexico?
- Unmet need for contraception in Mexico was 10.8% in 2018, according to Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division.
- What is the highest unmet need for contraception recorded in Mexico?
- The highest recorded value was 24.1% in 1987.
- What is the lowest unmet need for contraception recorded in Mexico?
- The lowest recorded value was 9.8% in 2009.
- How does Mexico rank for unmet need for contraception?
- Mexico ranks 44th out of 58 countries with data for 2018.
- Is unmet need for contraception rising or falling in Mexico?
- Over the last ten years it is up 10.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Mexico data come from?
- The figures come from Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division, published as part of Unmet need for contraception (% of married women ages 15-49). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Unmet need for contraception is the percentage of fertile, married women of reproductive age who do not want to become pregnant and are not using contraception.