Military Personnel as a Percentage of Population in Mexico, 1987-2016

From 1987 to 2016, Mexico’s military personnel as a percentage of the population remained relatively stable at around 0.2%, with a slight peak at 0.3% between 1997 and 1999. This consistency reflects Mexico’s focus on internal security rather than external military engagements. The brief increase in the late 1990s may relate to a heightened emphasis on combating internal threats, including organized crime, but it quickly returned to 0.2% as Mexico prioritized civilian-led responses.

Mexico’s urbanization rate increased steadily during this period, with significant migration toward cities. This demographic shift influenced resource allocation toward urban infrastructure and civilian services rather than defense expansion. Consequently, the military personnel percentage remained stable, as Mexico continued to prioritize internal security challenges and urban development over traditional military growth.