Exclusive breastfeeding rate in Mexico
Mexico: Exclusive breastfeeding rate was 27.1% in 2019. ▬ Flat
Exclusive breastfeeding rate in Mexico, 1987–2019
Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of children under 6 months.
Analysis
The most recent figure for exclusive breastfeeding rate in Mexico is 27.1%, measured in 2019.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 45.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, exclusive breastfeeding rate in Mexico peaked at 30.1% in 2015 and was at its lowest, 14.4%, in 2012.
That places Mexico 61st out of 72 countries with data for 2019, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Exclusive breastfeeding rate in Mexico, year by year
| Year | % of children under 6 months | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 27.9% | — |
| 1999 | 20.3% | -27.2% |
| 2009 | 18.6% | -8.2% |
| 2012 | 14.4% | -22.7% |
| 2015 | 30.1% | +109.3% |
| 2019 | 27.1% | -10.0% |
Mexico compared with similar countries
- Mexico's 27.1% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 37.2%, 73% of the median. (20 countries reporting)
- Mexico's 27.1% is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 39.9%, 68% of the median. (11 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 27.9% | 27.9% | 27.9% | 1 |
| 1990s | 20.3% | 20.3% | 20.3% | 1 |
| 2000s | 18.6% | 18.6% | 18.6% | 1 |
| 2010s | 23.9% | 14.4% | 30.1% | 3 |
Countries ranked near Mexico
More reference data data for Mexico
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 4.11 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 16.66 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 32.65 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.75 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 32.65 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 13.78 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 7.36 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 84.69 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 157.18 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 9.55 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is exclusive breastfeeding rate in Mexico?
- Exclusive breastfeeding rate in Mexico was 27.1% in 2019, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest exclusive breastfeeding rate recorded in Mexico?
- The highest recorded value was 30.1% in 2015.
- What is the lowest exclusive breastfeeding rate recorded in Mexico?
- The lowest recorded value was 14.4% in 2012.
- How does Mexico rank for exclusive breastfeeding rate?
- Mexico ranks 61st out of 72 countries with data for 2019.
- Is exclusive breastfeeding rate rising or falling in Mexico?
- Over the last ten years it is up 45.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Mexico data come from?
- The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Exclusive breastfeeding rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 6 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The share of infants less than six months old who were fed only with breast milk in the past 24 hours. WHO and UNICEF recommend that children be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life – meaning no other foods or liquids are provided, including water.