Mexico’s youth justice system recorded 24.9% more people by August 2026

Mexico recorded 6,518 people subject to its youth justice system in August 2026, up 24.9% from 5,218 in September 2024.

The system covers people aged 12 to 24, and 70% of those recorded in August 2026 were 12 to 17.

Of the total, 1,912 were in custody or another form of internment.

The increase comes amid rising records of several forms of harm affecting children and teenagers: between 2024 and 2025, reports of missing minors rose 30.3%, possible recruitment by criminal groups rose 20.6%, and sexual violence records rose 8.3%.

These figures describe separate trends and do not establish that one caused the other.

Specialists say institutions in the system still face challenges coordinating their work and training staff, while some people argue teenagers who commit certain crimes should be tried as adults.

The figures provide no forecast or stated next step.