Mexico
A land of contrasts, the Republic of Mexico is home to 129 million people. With a quarter of the population living in and around Mexico City, it is one of the biggest cities in the world. And its economy is one of the largest.
But it is also a country marked by corruption and cartel violence where 42% of the population lives below the poverty line. 82% of Mexicans now live in cities surrounded by shanty towns, and this urban migration causes severe pollution issues.
SOS Children’s Villages has been supporting children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it, in Mexico since 1971.
Villages in Mexico
Children are at risk
In Mexico, 26% of the population is under the age of 14. Around 6% of children between 5 and 17 years old are engaged in child labour. Many children drop out of school to work. There are also environmental issues that affect their lives negatively. Access to clean water is problematic, and the country is facing waste management, erosion, desertification, and deforestation issues, threatening the natural resources the population depends on. Children and young people from vulnerable families are often the first to feel the impact of these problems.
53%
Of Mexico’s children experienced violence at home
Widespread violence
Domestic violence remains a worrying issue in Mexico: more than half of the children between the ages of 1 and 14 have suffered from physical and/or psychological punishment at home.
This kind of punishment by family members has a dramatic impact on a child’s development.
A new law was passed in 2014 to protect children and young people, but more needs to be done to raise awareness and change local attitudes towards children’s rights.
57%
Of people do not have safe drinking water
Pollution
With pollution issues rising, the lack of clean water is an urgent topic across Mexico.
Only less than half the population gets their drinking water from a source that is free from contamination and available whenever they need it. This leaves 57% to resort to piped water, protected wells or springs, packaged bottles, or even rainwater.
The government now considers the lack of clean water and deforestation as national security issues.
14/1000
Under-five mortality rate
Health
Mexican children often suffer due to health conditions and the lack of access to medical services.
In 2020, 30,080 children died before reaching their fifth birthday.
Malnutrition is also a problem: 5 % of children under five are underweight.
It’s not only the access to water, but also to the right medical facilities and the proper nutrition, that’s a grave cause for concern.
Together we can make a difference for children in Mexico
720
Adults and children
Are supported in the community
500
Children and adults
Can attend our kindergartens and trainings
230
Children and young people
Grow up in our care
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70
Young people
Are supported on their way to independence
