Heart Disease, Diabetes Drive Mortality Rise in Mexico: INEGI

Mexico recorded 819,672 deaths in 2024, a 2.5% increase from the previous year, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI). The national mortality rate reached 630 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, with heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and malignant tumors remaining the three leading causes of death, together accounting for more than 400,000 cases.

Heart disease caused 192,518 deaths, followed by diabetes with 112,577 and malignant tumors with 95,108. INEGI reports that 797,566 of the deaths occurred in 2024, while the rest corresponded to late-registered cases from previous years. The findings highlight the enduring weight of chronic diseases on public health and the demographic disparities shaping Mexico’s mortality profile.

The data shows a marked difference between men and women. Among women, cerebrovascular diseases ranked fourth, with 16,936 deaths, followed by influenza and pneumonia with 16,731, and liver disease with 11,290. External causes such as accidents did not appear among the 10 leading causes for women. Among men, however, accidents became the fourth leading cause with 31,051 deaths, followed by homicides with 29,448, and liver disease with 29,353. Influenza, pneumonia, and cerebrovascular diseases followed in the next positions.

At the regional level, Chihuahua registered the highest standardized mortality rate with 770 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by Colima, Quintana Roo, Morelos, and Baja California. The lowest rates were recorded in Guerrero, Sinaloa, Tlaxcala, Hidalgo, and Mexico City, all below the national average. INEGI noted that 89.6% of deaths were due to diseases and health-related problems, while 10.4% resulted from external causes such as accidents and violence.

The findings come as noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) continue to drive mortality worldwide. The McKinsey Health Institute (MHI) reports that NCDs — including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and mental health conditions — cause 46 million deaths annually and could rise to 75 million by 2050 without significant preventive action. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that NCDs and mental health conditions “are silent killers, robbing us of lives and innovation,” says Tedros Adhanom,  Director General, WHO. The economic burden is also rising: MHI estimates that NCDs could reduce global GDP by 20% by mid-century due to lost productivity and premature deaths.

In Mexico, chronic conditions have grown significantly. Between 2018 and 2022, hypertension among adults increased from 34.1% to 47.8%, and diabetes prevalence rose from 14.4% to 18.3%, according to the Ministry of Health. Obesity, a major risk factor for both conditions, affects more than one-third of adults. These trends indicate growing pressure on health systems and underscore the need for preventive and integrated care.

Women are increasingly affected by chronic and mental health conditions. INEGI recorded 42,308 diabetes-related deaths among women in 2024, up from 41,451 in 2023. AXA Keralty reports that women account for 60% more depression diagnoses and 55% of psychiatric visits compared to men. Most affected are women aged 30 to 49, followed by those between 20 and 29 and over 60. Social isolation, limited access to insurance, and financial dependence further compound health risks; only 6.3% of Mexican women have major medical expense insurance, according to the National Survey of Financial Inclusion (ENIF 2024).

To address these gaps, AXA Keralty launched a preventive health campaign in Mexico City offering free screenings focused on women’s well-being. The company identified more than 6,000 obesity cases among women between 2022 and 2025 and enrolled them in nutrition programs. “Overweight and obesity are the main risk factors for developing diabetes,” says Avril Rey, Deputy Director of the Integrated Health System, AXA Keralty.

Globally, WHO’s World Health Statistics 2025 report found that progress toward improved life expectancy has stalled since the COVID-19 pandemic. Between 2019 and 2021, global life expectancy dropped by 1.8 years, the sharpest decline in decades. Premature deaths from NCDs, which are now the leading causes among people under 70, remain off track to meet the goal of a one-third reduction by 2030. WHO calls for stronger investment in primary healthcare, preventive interventions and workforce capacity to reverse these trends.

Mexico’s data illustrate the broader global challenge: chronic and preventable diseases continue to drive mortality and economic strain. MHI estimates that scaling evidence-based health interventions could prevent 28 million deaths each year and generate US$11 trillion in global economic gains by 2050. For Mexico, expanding preventive care, ensuring access to health services, and promoting early diagnosis will be key to reversing the rising toll of NCDs.