Statistical visibility of Indigenous People in Mexico*

Abstract

Mexico has the highest number of Indigenous Peoples in the American hemisphere: 23.2 million, according to the 2020 census. Yet, Mexico faces significant challenges in the production of official statistics concerning the identification and enumeration of Indigenous populations. This paper presents an analysis of the statistical visibility of Indigenous populations and the methodologies employed in census enumeration in Mexico. The paper, in particular, proposes a different approach to the production of statistics on Indigenous people, one that involves these population groups directly in the survey process, conducts surveys in Indigenous languages, and incorporates questions on self-perception, including identification with the Indigenous group to which they belong. Following the 2020 Census conducted by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) in five Mexican states, an analysis was undertaken using quantitative, descriptive, and comparative methodologies with attention to gender, human rights, and intercultural perspectives. The results demonstrate that Indigenous populations in Mexico are disadvantaged in many aspects. These populations experience greater poverty and food insecurity, lower income, reduced access to health services, education, and water, more precarious housing conditions, and higher rates of child mortality. The most disadvantaged group consists of Indigenous language speakers (ILS), followed by those belonging to or identifying as Indigenous (BIP), compared with the total population. Moreover, substantial disparities among Indigenous language speakers were identified for women and children, and also between States.