Mexicans hold generally positive views towards the United States and recognize it as a land brimming with opportunities for a better life, according to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center. This sentiment is coupled with favorable opinions regarding Mexico’s own economic landscape and its current president.
These insights are drawn from a comprehensive survey conducted in Mexico between March 22 and April 30, 2023, encompassing a wide range of perspectives from the Mexican adult population.
Survey Methodology
This study is part of a larger Pew Research Center initiative, the 2023 Global Attitudes Survey, which spanned 24 countries. In Mexico, the survey delved into public sentiment concerning the United States, the domestic economic situation, the health of Mexican democracy, and perceptions of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, this survey marks Mexico’s return to the Global Attitudes Survey since 2019. The face-to-face interviews, conducted in Spanish with 1,041 adults, ensure a representative sample of the Mexican adult population aged 18 and older. The data is meticulously weighted to reflect the demographic makeup of Mexico, considering gender, age, education, region, urbanicity, and respondent selection probability.
For those interested in delving deeper into the specifics, the survey questions and detailed methodology are publicly accessible via links provided by the Pew Research Center.
Key Findings on Mexican Perspectives
The survey reveals several key insights into how Mexicans perceive the U.S. and their own nation:
1. The American Dream Still Beckons: A Better Life in the U.S.
A significant majority of Mexicans, approximately 59%, believe that individuals who relocate to the U.S. experience an improved quality of life. This represents the highest level of optimism recorded since this question was first posed in 2007.
A line chart illustrating that a majority of Mexicans perceive life as better in the U.S.
Around a third of Mexicans perceive life in the U.S. as neither superior nor inferior to life in Mexico, while a mere 5% consider it to be worse.
This data emerges against a backdrop of increasing attempts to cross the U.S.-Mexico border and persistent criticism within the U.S. regarding the government’s handling of the border situation.
2. Improving U.S.-Mexico Relations: A More Positive Outlook
Mexicans are increasingly viewing the relationship between their country and the U.S. in a positive light. Currently, 63% of Mexicans hold a favorable view of the United States, while 30% express unfavorable opinions.
A line chart indicating that approximately three-quarters of Mexicans believe Mexico and the U.S. have a positive relationship.
While confidence in U.S. President Joe Biden stands at 43%, this is a substantial increase compared to the 8% confidence level in former President Donald Trump recorded in spring 2019.
An impressive 77% of Mexicans characterize U.S.-Mexico relations as “good.” This marks a significant 20-percentage-point surge since 2019, during the Trump administration.
However, opinions are divided on whether the U.S. adequately considers Mexico’s interests in its foreign policy decisions. While 51% believe the U.S. does take Mexican interests into account, 48% disagree. This is a notable shift from 2019, when only 32% felt that the U.S. was considerate of Mexican interests.
3. Comparing the U.S. to Other Wealthy Nations: Mixed Perceptions
Mexican perspectives on how the U.S. stacks up against other affluent nations are varied, depending on the specific aspect being considered.
A bar chart presenting Mexican views on how the U.S. compares to other wealthy nations on various societal issues.
- Political Stability: Around one-third of Mexicans perceive the U.S. as more politically stable than other wealthy countries, while a similar proportion view it as equally stable. Approximately a quarter consider the U.S. less stable politically.
- Democracy: About 30% of Mexicans believe the U.S. is more democratic than comparable nations, but a plurality (39%) see its democracy as being on par with others.
- Safety: Roughly 37% of Mexicans consider the U.S. as dangerous as its peer countries, while 36% perceive it as less dangerous. A quarter believe the U.S. is more dangerous.
- Tolerance and Religiosity: Nearly half of Mexicans view the U.S. as less tolerant and less religious than other wealthy nations. Notably, among the countries surveyed in 2023, Mexico is the most inclined to perceive the U.S. as less religious compared to its wealthy counterparts.
4. Positive Views on Both U.S. and Mexican Economies
Mexicans generally hold favorable views of both the U.S. and Mexican economies. Four in ten Mexicans identify the U.S. as the world’s leading economic power, surpassing China, Japan, and the European Union in their estimations.
A bar chart indicating that 70% of Mexicans believe U.S. investment has benefited the Mexican economy.
Among those who recognize the U.S. as the global economic leader, over 60% believe this is beneficial for Mexico.
Furthermore, 70% of Mexicans agree that the Mexican economy has benefited at least moderately from American investment.
In contrast to the global trend of declining economic ratings, Mexico’s economy shows resilience. With a 4.5% GDP increase in the first quarter of 2023, six in ten Mexicans describe their country’s economic situation as at least somewhat positive – an 11-point increase since 2019.
5. President López Obrador’s High Approval Ratings
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) enjoys widespread popularity in Mexico. Approximately 82% of Mexicans hold a favorable view of AMLO, with 45% expressing a very favorable opinion.
Elected in 2018 with over 53% of the vote, AMLO and his MORENA party hold significant political power. His popularity remains consistent across various demographic groups in Mexico.
6. Divided Views on Mexican Democracy, but Improving Sentiment
Mexicans are divided in their assessment of their own democracy, although positive sentiment has been on the rise in recent years. Amidst concerns regarding electoral reforms, just under half (48%) of Mexicans express satisfaction with the functioning of democracy in their country, while 50% are dissatisfied.
A line chart showing the fluctuating satisfaction levels of Mexicans with their democracy over time.
Satisfaction with Mexican democracy has increased by 6 percentage points since 2019. The 42% positive view in 2019 was itself a substantial increase from a mere 6% in 2017, when dissatisfaction was at a staggering 93%.
Conclusion
The Pew Research Center survey provides valuable insights into the multifaceted perspectives of Mexicans regarding the U.S. and their own nation. While the image of the Mexican And American Flag together might symbolize complex historical and political ties, the survey data reveals a nuanced picture of generally positive views, improving relations, and a sense of optimism about the future for many Mexicans. These findings are crucial for understanding the dynamics of this important bilateral relationship and the evolving perceptions within Mexico.
