Mexicans Live Stressed About Money

Unexpected expenses, food payments, school expenses, debts with banks or financial institutions are some of the main reasons why six out of ten Mexicans suffer from moderate to high financial stress. According to the first edition of the National Financial Health Survey (ENSAFI) 2023, at the national level, 59.5 percent of the population suffers from financial stress, while by region, the highest rate is recorded in Mexico City, with 69.5 percent, and the lowest in Nuevo León, with 49.8 percent.

While both genders over the age of 18 suffer from this stress, it is more concerning in the case of women, as 32.2 percent register a moderate level and 42.2 percent a high level; in the case of men, the proportion is 37.4 and 30.7 percent respectively.

This financial stress generates psychological problems related to anxiety in 45.3 percent of women, sadness in 42.6 percent, frustration in 36.9 percent, and irritation in 36.6 percent; in the case of men, the rate of emotional impact is 36.6, 31.9, 29.2, and 29.1 percent, respectively.

Regarding physical impacts, they report headaches in 34.3 percent of women, and 24 percent in men; lack of sleep, with rates of 31.1 and 23.4 percent respectively; gastroenteritis and colitis with 21.4 and 11.4 percent, respectively; changes in blood pressure, 15.4 and 8.5 percent each.

Eating disorders in 14.5 percent of women and 9.0 percent of men; while problems with family, friends, and work have rates of 10.4 and 8.6 percent, respectively, according to the survey conducted by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography with the National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Financial Services Users (Condusef).