OCDE - Data on homelessness and housing exclusion 2026 - México de 2026

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DATA ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION 2026: MEXICO © OECD 2026

Summary of key data and information Summary of key data and information Official statistical definition of homelessness (Table 1) According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), the homeless population is defined as people who do not have a place of residence, that is, who spend the night in public places. Latest national estimates of homelessness (Table 2, Table 3) 5 778 individuals, representing 0.005% of the total population (2020) 13% are women, 87% are men Point-in-time count, based on the Population and Housing Census ETHOS Light groups included Included: • ETHOS Light 1: Living on the streets, in public spaces Not included: • ETHOS Light 2: Emergency accommodation (e.g. shelters) • ETHOS Light 3: Accommodation for the homeless (e.g. hostels and women’s refuges) • ETHOS Light 4: People in institutions • ETHOS Light 5: People in non-conventional dwellings (e.g. caravans, cars or tents) • ETHOS Light 6: Living temporarily with others in conventional housing (e.g. sofa-surfing) Notes: Each ETHOS Light group includes one or more sub-categories of living situations. ETHOS Light groups are considered as “included” in the data collection approach if at least one of the sub-categories is counted. Legal framework to collect data on homelessness (Table 4) There is no legal obligation to collect data on homelessness at national level.

Homelessness Strategy (Table 5) • National Homelessness Strategy: Mexico does not have a national homelessness strategy. Approaches to collect data on homelessness (Table 6) • Population and Housing Census – Point-in-time enumeration of people sleeping rough: a special point-in-time enumeration was conducted on a single night in March at pre-identified public locations (Table 6.1)

Approaches to collect data on homelessness (Table 6) • Population and Housing Census – Point-in-time enumeration of people sleeping rough: a special point-in-time enumeration was conducted on a single night in March at pre-identified public locations (Table 6.1) • Population and Housing Census – Enumeration of people living in collective and non-conventional dwellings: collects information on individuals living in collective living arrangements and non-conventional dwellings (Table 6.2)

Data on homelessness and housing exclusion 2026: Mexico2  DATA ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION 2026: MEXICO © OECD 2026

Table 1. Official statistical definition of homelessness Statistical definition Homelessness According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), the homeless population is defined as people who do not have a place of residence, that is, who spend the night in public places. Table 2. Data on people experiencing homelessness: Headline estimate, by living situation Presented according to ETHOS Light Typology Year Headline estimate of homelessness (Individuals) % of total population ETHOS Light 1 People living rough ETHOS Light 2 People in emergency accommodation ETHOS Light 3 People in accommodation for the homeless ETHOS Light 4 People living in institutions ETHOS Light 5 People living in unconventional dwellings ETHOS Light 6 People staying with family/friends 2020 5 778 0.005% 5 778 3 907 41 102 149 275 169 836 Not included Metadata: • Type of count: Point-in-time

• Included in headline estimate:

o Children: Yes o Temporary accommodation for: ‒ Asylum seekers: Yes ‒ Refugees: Yes ‒ Victims/survivors of domestic violence: Yes

Metadata: • Type of count: Point-in-time

• Included in headline estimate:

o Children: Yes o Temporary accommodation for: ‒ Asylum seekers: Yes ‒ Refugees: Yes ‒ Victims/survivors of domestic violence: Yes Note: The headline estimate reflects individuals living rough (ETHOS 1) at the time of data collection. ETHOS 2 includes emergency accommodation such as public shelters or dormitories for people experiencing street homelessness. ETHOS 3 comprises temporary accommodation for homeless or vulnerable populations, including shelters for indigenous people, migrants, women experiencing violence, relatives of hospitalised persons, and other forms of short-term social accommodation. ETHOS 4 refers to instituti onal accommodation that replaces the dwelling on a long-term basis, such as children’s homes, residences for older adults, rehabilitation centres, psychiatric facil ities, and residences for per sons with terminal or incurable illnesses. ETHOS 5 includes non-conventional housing arrangements that function as the person’s usual place of residence but are not intended for permanent habitation, such as premises not built for residential use, mobile dwell ings, and hotels, motels, boarding houses, or guesthouses used as habitual residences.

Source: OECD Questionnaire on Affordable and Social Housing (QuASH); Population and Housing Census (2020) (Censo de Población y Vivienda).

Table 3. Data on people experiencing homelessness: Headline estimate, by sub-group and living situation Presented according to ETHOS Light Typology, 2020 Single adults Men Women Youth (aged 15-29) Older people (aged 65 and over) Families with children (# of households) Headline estimate of homelessness NA 5 052 726 1 040 761 NA As percentage of total population experiencing homelessness NA 87.44% 12.56% 18.00% 13.17% NA ETHOS Light 1: People living rough NA 5 052 726 1 040 761 NA ETHOS Light 2: People in

As percentage of total population experiencing homelessness NA 87.44% 12.56% 18.00% 13.17% NA ETHOS Light 1: People living rough NA 5 052 726 1 040 761 NA ETHOS Light 2: People in emergency accommodation NA 2 796 1 020 424 1 168 NA ETHOS Light 3: People in accommodation for the homeless NA 18 119 17 992 13 456 1 099 NA ETHOS Light 4: People living in institutions NA 53 054 36 611 49 158 30 367 NA ETHOS Light 5: People living in unconventional dwellings NA 89 981 79 855 37 930 20 417 NA 3

DATA ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION 2026: MEXICO © OECD 2026

ETHOS Light 6: People staying with family/friends NA NA NA NA NA NA Metadata: • Type of count: Point-in-time

• Included in headline estimate:

o Children: Yes o Temporary accommodation for: ‒ Asylum seekers: Yes ‒ Refugees: Yes ‒ Victims/survivors of domestic violence: Yes Note: Sub-groups are not mutually exclusive. The information on older people refers to individuals aged 60 years and over, due to data availability. The youth and older people in ETHOS 5 omits individuals living in hotels, motels, boarding houses, or guesthouses used as habitual residences.

Source: OECD Questionnaire on Affordable and Social Housing (QuASH); Population and Housing Census (2020) (Censo de Población y Vivienda).

Table 4. Legal framework to collect data on homelessness Legal framework Law that governs data collection on homelessness None. Legal obligations Although it is not explicitly considered by current legislation, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) is responsible for regulating and co-ordinating the National System of Statistical and

Legal framework Law that governs data collection on homelessness None. Legal obligations Although it is not explicitly considered by current legislation, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) is responsible for regulating and co-ordinating the National System of Statistical and Geographic Information, which includes statistics to estimate the number of people living on the streets. Table 5. Homelessness strategy Homelessness strategies in place National Homelessness Strategy None. Regional and/or local homelessness strategies exist No. Table 6. Approaches to collect data on homelessness 6.1. Population and Housing Census – Point-in-time enumeration of people sleeping rough Description All residents in Mexico are required to participate in the Population and Housing Census (Censo de Población y Vivienda). For the specific measurement of people sleeping rough, a special point-in-time enumeration was conducted on a single night in March at pre-identified public locations. This operation targeted individuals observed sleeping in streets or public spaces and constitutes the basis for the official national headline estimate of homelessness. Data collected for this group are limited to basic demographic characteristics and location at the time of enumeration.

Type of count generated Point-in-time Methods Street counts / point-in-time enumeration of individuals sleeping rough in public spaces Lead authority(ies) National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) Source(s) of information Direct observation and enumeration conducted by census field staff during the special point-in-time operation. Scope National level Depth of data • Basic demographic characteristics (sex and age) • Location at the time of enumeration • Living situation: sleeping rough in public spaces Frequency Every 10 years ETHOS Light groups included: • ETHOS Light 1: Living on the streets, in public spaces4  DATA ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION 2026: MEXICO © OECD 2026

Note: Each ETHOS Light group includes one or more subcategories of living situations. ETHOS Light groups are considered as “included” in the data

DATA ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION 2026: MEXICO © OECD 2026

Note: Each ETHOS Light group includes one or more subcategories of living situations. ETHOS Light groups are considered as “included” in the data collection approach if at least one of the sub-categories is counted.

Notes and sources Census of Population and Housing 2020Censo de Población y Vivienda This data collection approach provides the official headline estimate of homelessness in Mexico.

6.2. Population and Housing Census – Enumeration of people living in collective and non-conventional dwellings Description The Population and Housing Census ( Censo de Población y Vivienda ) collects information on individuals living in collective living arrangemen ts and nonconventional dwellings using two census instruments, depending on the type of living arrangement. Information on non-conventional dwellings and some collective settings that are not part of the social assistance system (su ch as premises not built for habitation, mobile dwellings, or hotels used as habitual residences) is collected through the basic census questionnaire. Informatio n on assisted living arrangements (such as shelters, social assistance facilitie s, and institutions) is collected through the Alojamientos de Asistencia Social questionnaire (Social Assistance Accommodation Census), a dedicated census instrument. Together, these instruments allow for a broader measurement of housing exclusion (ETHOS 2-5), which is reported separately and is not included in the official headline estimate of homelessness.

Type of count generated Point-in-time Methods Population census using household and collective living questionnaires Lead authority(ies) National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) Source(s) of information Self-reported information collected through the basic census questionnaire and the Alojamientos de Asistencia Social questionnaire, administered during the Population and Housing Census Scope National level Depth of data • Demographic characteristics (e.g. sex and age) • Type of living arrangement (collective or non-conventional dwelling) Frequency Every 10 years

ETHOS Light groups included:

and Housing Census Scope National level Depth of data • Demographic characteristics (e.g. sex and age) • Type of living arrangement (collective or non-conventional dwelling) Frequency Every 10 years ETHOS Light groups included: • ETHOS Light 2: Emergency accommodation (e.g. shelters) • ETHOS Light 3: Accommodation for the homeless (e.g. hostels and women’s refuges) • ETHOS Light 4: People in institutions • ETHOS Light 5: People in non-conventional dwellings (e.g. caravans, cars or tents)

Note: Each ETHOS Light group includes one or more sub-categories of living situations. ETHOS Lig ht groups are considered as “included” in the data collection approach if at least one of the sub-categories is counted.

Notes and sources Different census questionnaires are used depending on the living arrangement: the basic census questionnaire for selected non-conventional dwellings and collective settings, and the Alojamientos de Asistencia Social questionnaire for assisted living settings.

Please refer to the OECD Affordable Housing Database, indicator HC3.1.Population experiencing homelessness, https://www.oecd.org/content/oecd/en/data/datasets/oecd-affordable-housingdatabase.html.

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DATA ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING EXCLUSION 2026: MEXICO © OECD 2026

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