Politics · Mexico · 5 hrs ago
Mexico’s ageing population faces fragmented care services
Mexico has 19.19 million people aged 60 or older, equal to 14.71% of its population, according to the 2025 intercensal survey.
The population agency expects this group to reach 20.6 million by 2030 and 48.3 million by 2070.
Mexico has no integrated care system for older people, and public services are split across programs and institutions.
Families, mostly women, carry much of the care, even though 86.5% of relatives caring for older people have no care training.
About 23% of older people have at least one limitation in basic daily activities, and 11% need ongoing help.
Only 10 of 47 federal care programs target older people, while people seeking support often have to find services and navigate requirements on their own.
Mexico has no integrated care system for older people, whose care depends largely on families while public services operate in a fragmented way, specialists say.
The country had 19.19 million people aged 60 or older in 2025, equal to 14.71% of its population.
The National Population Council estimates that this group will grow to 48.3 million, or 34.2% of the population, by 2070.
Specialists cited gaps in care training and coordination, as well as programs divided across institutions and eligibility groups.
In 2026, the federal government allocated 468.641 billion pesos to 47 budget programs related to care, but only 10 targeted older people.
- Who
- Older people in Mexico, their family caregivers and the public institutions providing care.
- What
- Mexico’s care services for older people are fragmented, with no integrated system, specialists say.
- When
- The article was published on November 8, 2026; figures include 2025 data and projections to 2070.
- Where
- Mexico.
- Why
- Public services are organized across separate programs and institutions, while care falls largely to families; specialists also cite a shortage of trained caregivers.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Mexico’s Intercensal Survey counted 19.19 million people aged 60 or older, or 14.71% of the population.
The federal government allocated 468.641 billion pesos to 47 programs related to care, including 10 aimed at older people.
Oxfam’s analysis of the draft federal budget put budgeted care resources at 475.9 billion pesos and reported real cuts of up to 72% in some allocations.
The National Population Council projects that people aged 60 or older will number 20.6 million, or 15% of the population.
The National Population Council projects that people aged 60 or older will number 48.3 million, or 34.2% of the population.
- Older population in 2025
- 19.19 million people aged 60 or older; 14.71% of the population
- Care needs
- 23% of older people have at least one limitation in basic daily activities; 11% need permanent help
- Family caregivers
- 86.5% have no care training
- Federal care programs in 2026
- 47 programs across 27 institutions; 10 target older people
- Public care facilities
- 162 facilities, according to a Mexican government official
- Projected older population in 2070
- 48.3 million people; 34.2% of the population
What people are saying
Each person has to overcome the learning curve and navigate bureaucratic pathways