Corruption hikes costs of procedures in Mexico; citizen trust in institutions declines, Banamex says

Corruption continues to plague Mexico, with a significant majority of citizens perceiving it as frequent and a substantial portion experiencing it firsthand during official dealings. A recent analysis by Banamex, drawing on government survey data, highlights a stark disconnect between the prevalence of corruption and the willingness of victims to report it. Only 5% of those who encountered corrupt practices chose to file a complaint, underscoring a deep-seated distrust in the institutions meant to address such issues.

The financial burden of corruption has also escalated dramatically. In 2025, the total amount paid in bribes for government procedures reached 17.7 billion pesos, marking a 48.7% increase from 2023. Over a decade, the real cost of bribes has surged by 72%, with the average bribe per victim rising from 2,168 to 2,751 pesos. This escalating cost, coupled with the perceived futility of reporting, paints a grim picture of the ongoing struggle against graft.

Furthermore, the analysis reveals a widespread erosion of public trust in governmental institutions. Confidence in the federal government has dropped from 59% in 2023 to 46% in 2025, with similar declines observed for state governments, electoral bodies, and other public organizations. This diminishing trust is mirrored in public satisfaction with government services, which has fallen to 47.2% from 50% in 2023, with the condition of streets and police services receiving the poorest evaluations. The report suggests that unfulfilled promises of change by authorities contribute significantly to this decline in social trust.

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The decrease in trust in institutions and the decrease in satisfaction with public services suggest less social enthusiasm. If the promises of change that authorities at various levels often arrive with are not verified in reality, social trust dissolves.