Mexican youth are reshaping their life trajectories by postponing traditional milestones such as financial independence, starting families, and having children, according to reports from xataka.com.mx.
Data from INEGI's 2025 Retrospective Demographic Survey (EDER) shows a drastic decline in the number of people leaving their family homes before reaching adulthood. The percentage of individuals who moved out before age 18 fell from 31.1% in the 1961-1967 generation to just 16.9% for the cohort born between 1998 and 2007.
This shift is driven by increased time spent in the education system. The proportion of young people dropping out of school before age 18 decreased from 62.4% to 54.3% across generations, according to the source.
Prioritizing personal stability
The decision to delay motherhood and fatherhood is another pillar of this structural change. In the most recent cohort, only 17.1% of women and 4.3% of men had their first child before the age of 18.
This decline is linked to a higher use of contraceptives, which rose from 2.4% to 13.4% among younger generations. According to UNAM, this phenomenon is not driven by selfish behavior, but rather by an ideological shift shaped by factors such as the cost of living, job stability, environmental concerns, and mental health.
The current labor market also plays a role in the decision to avoid starting families early. While young people are active in the workforce, they face precarious conditions that limit their economic autonomy.
According to UNAM, concerns such as poor job quality—affecting 91.9% of respondents—and the high cost of living—affecting 94.4%—directly impact the decision to postpone parenthood. In many cases, young people conclude that it is simply not the right time to take on such responsibilities.
This trend is transforming the family structure in Mexico. Millennials and Gen Z are increasingly adopting models like the "chosen family," where bonds with friends and partners partially replace traditional kinship.
The decline in birth rates is also a global phenomenon, seen in countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Germany. In Mexico, the birth rate has dropped by 27% in just over a decade—a shift that could have long-term implications for the country's labor market and pension systems.
