Internet Penetration Reaches New Heights

The allure of the internet remains strong for the Mexican population, with usage rates climbing steadily. In 2024, a remarkable 100.2 million Mexicans, representing 83.1% of the population, were active internet users. This surge, as highlighted by the National Survey on Availability and Use of Household Information Technology (Endutih) from INEGI, signifies an increase of 3.2 million users compared to 2023, when the number stood at 97 million.

The Persistent Urban-Rural Divide

While overall internet adoption is on the rise, a stark contrast persists between urban and rural areas. The survey data reveals that 86.9% of the urban population used internet in the past year, while only 68.5% of their rural counterparts had access. This gap, exceeding 18 percentage points, underscores the challenges in achieving equitable digital access across the nation. efforts to expand mobile connectivity have helped narrow the divide, but significant disparities remain.

Mobile Devices Dominate Connectivity

Smartphones have solidified their position as the primary gateway to the internet for most Mexicans.In 2024, 97.2% of users accessed the internet via their smartphones. Conversely, computer usage for internet access has declined by 8.1%. Other connection methods include smart televisions (43.6%), computers (35.9%), and video game consoles (8.1%).

what Drives Internet Usage?

The survey sheds light on the diverse range of activities that drive internet usage in Mexico. Interaction remains the top priority, with 93% of users connecting to stay in touch. Social networking follows closely at 90.4%, while entertainment activities attract 89% of users. Information seeking and educational support are also prominent, with 88.2% and 81.3% of users engaging in these activities, respectively.

E-Commerce on the Rise

Online shopping is gaining traction among Mexican internet users. The survey indicates a growing trend in e-commerce, with users primarily purchasing personal care items like beauty and cosmetics (77.9%), followed by household goods (45.8%), transportation services via platforms (32.7%), cell phones and accessories (27.9%), travel and entertainment tickets (27.2%), electronic devices (19.7%), health-related items (18.6%), vehicles and spare parts (17.1%), and books (16.3%).

Barriers to Online Shopping

Despite the growth in e-commerce, a significant portion of the population (64.2%) still prefers conventional in-person shopping. The primary reasons cited include a preference for physical shopping experiences (21%), a lack of interest or perceived need (13.2%),and a lack of knowlege about online shopping (12 percent).Addressing these barriers is crucial for further expanding e-commerce adoption in Mexico.

Streaming Services: A Growing Trend, Primarily in urban Areas

While streaming services are becoming increasingly popular, their penetration remains limited, particularly in rural areas. Only three out of ten Mexican households subscribe to streaming platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, Max, and Disney+.Of the 39 million homes nationwide, only 12.7 million (32.4%) have access to these services.

In urban areas, 38.1% of households have streaming subscriptions, marking a 2.4 percentage point increase from the previous year. However,in rural only 8.4% had streaming services,representing a 1.1 percentage point decrease compared to the previous year, according to the Survey. This disparity highlights the need for improved infrastructure and affordability to expand access to streaming services in rural communities.

Smart home Devices Gain Popularity

The adoption of smart devices in Mexican homes is experiencing significant growth, with a 31.5% annual increase. Out of the 39 million homes, 10.2 million now have at least one smart device.The most popular devices are speakers and virtual assistants, found in 6.5 million homes. Other common smart devices include video surveillance systems (3.9 million homes),entertainment devices (2.3 million homes), and smart lights or switches (1.4 million homes).