| Keywords | Description |
|---|---|
| INEGI | The National Institute of Statistics and Geography, an agency of the Mexican government that collects data about the country’s population and economy. |
| Digital Divide | The gap between people who have easy access to the internet and modern technology and those who do not, often based on location or income. |
| Government Projects | Official programs funded and managed to build public services, improve infrastructure or solve specific social problems in a region or country. |
More people in Mexico are connecting to the internet than ever before, though access still depends on where they live.
According to INEGI, a government statistics agency, about 104.9 million Mexicans used the internet in 2025. That represents 86.1% of all residents age 6 and older.
However, a digital divide remains between cities and countryside towns. In urban areas, 88.9% of people went online, compared with 75.2% in rural regions. Government projects like the Social Coverage Program are working to bridge that gap.
How location influences connectivity
Location plays a major role in overall connectivity. The northern state of Nuevo Leon led the nation with 93.9% of its residents online in 2025. Meanwhile, the southern state of Chiapas recorded the lowest rate at 71.2%.
Smartphones are driving most of this growth. Across Mexico, 84.6% of people use cellphones, with most choosing smartphones. About 90.6% of internet users send messages through apps like WhatsApp.
While mobile phone use continues to soar, home computers are becoming less common. In 2025, just 44.7% of households owned a computer, down slightly from 2015. Experts say this shift is happening because modern smartphones can handle many of the same tasks as traditional computers.
Bridging words
These words sound similar in English and Spanish: Why not practice them now?
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Urban | Urbano |
| Digital | Digital |
| Traditional | Tradicional |
Time to discuss
- Why do you think internet access is lower in rural areas?
- How might increased internet access affect education in rural Mexico?
- What are the benefits and drawbacks of using smartphones instead of computers?
Let’s Write
Answer the following questions in one paragraph:
- What initiatives could further reduce the digital divide in Mexico?
- How has the rise of smartphones changed the way people access information?
