According to the latest ENCIG report from INEGI, nearly seven out of every ten people aged 18 and above in Yucatan believe that cases of corruption occur frequently. Meanwhile, it is estimated that a Yucatecan spends more than 2,000 pesos per year on bribes.
The study, which collects data from 2023, reveals that nationwide costs associated with engaging in corrupt acts are estimated at 11,910.6 billion pesos, equivalent to an average of 3,368 pesos per person. In Yucatán, the average cost is 2,177 pesos.
But what about the overall cost of corruption in Mexico? According to a report presented in March, in 2019, the cost in Yucatán was 43,141 pesos, which decreased to 11,042 pesos in 2021. Currently, the highest costs are observed in Mexico City (6,471 pesos), while the lowest are in Chihuahua (827 pesos).
Corruption remains a significant issue in Yucatán. Approximately 46.9% of Yucatecans consider it one of the main problems in the region, slightly below the national average of 54.4%. Interestingly, Yucatecans prioritize another issue even more: poor attention in health centers and public hospitals, highlighted by 56.8% of adults aged 18 and above. This perception is nearly double the national average of 30.1%.
In the state, 68.7% of the population aged 18 and older perceives that corrupt acts are either very frequent or frequent. In 2017, this figure was 75%, 70.9% in 2019, and 73.6% in 2021, indicating a 6.7-point decrease compared to the previous survey.
Regarding the perception of corruption in Mexico, Yucatán ranks second to last, implying that it has a relatively low perception of corruption. The last on the list is Querétaro (68.4%). In contrast, Chiapas has the highest perception (88.3%). Nationally, 83.1% of the population perceives corruption as either very frequent or frequent in their region.
When it comes to identifying the culprits, politicians and police officers are considered the most corrupt by 78.9% and 76.8%, respectively. Yucatán’s rates are below the national averages of 83.7% and 86.7% for these categories.
Additionally, Yucatecans have identified three common corruption-prone procedures:
1. Contact with public safety authorities (police), with a rate of 43,478 per 100,000.
2. Property-related permits, with a rate of 26,050 per 100,000.
3. Starting a business, with a rate of 11,174 per 100,000.
Interestingly, 43.5% of respondents reported experiencing corruption with public security authorities. However, 61.1% of Yucatecans aged 18 and above believe that their city’s police contribute to a sense of security. Yucatán stands out with the highest perception of safety in the country.
In summary, while Yucatán faces corruption challenges, it also demonstrates positive trends. The population’s contact with corrupt public officials has remained relatively stable since 2017. Nationally, the prevalence of corruption is higher, with Chihuahua having the highest rate (21,891 per 100,000) and Zacatecas the lowest (8,912 per 100,000).
