Reading Population in Mexico Plummeted

In recent decades, Mexico has faced a concerning decline in reading comprehension levels among its students. The population over 18 years old fell by 14 percentage points, comparing 84.2% in 2015 to 69.6% in 2024.

According to official figures from the Reading Module of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI).

Various national and international studies and evaluations have highlighted this issue, emphasizing the need to implement effective strategies to reverse this trend.

Evidence of the decline

Evaluations like PISA and PLANEA have shown alarming results regarding reading comprehension in the country. For example, in the PISA tests, Mexican students have scored below the OECD average.  which indicates significant deficiencies in reading skills.

Additionally, national reports have indicated that a considerable proportion of students do not reach satisfactory levels of reading comprehension upon completing basic education. This situation affects their academic performance in other areas, as reading is essential for comprehensive learning.

Contributing factors

Various factors have contributed to this decline in reading comprehension:

• Outdated Educational Practices:  The persistence of traditional teaching methods that do not encourage critical thinking or the interpretation of complex texts.
• Lack of Teacher Training: Many lack specialized training in modern reading teaching strategies, limiting their ability to address current needs.
• Limited Access to Reading Materials: In some regions, especially rural ones, students have restricted access to libraries and updated educational resources.
• Impact of the Pandemic:  The global health crisis disrupted educational processes, exacerbating difficulties in acquiring and developing reading skills.

Consequences of the problem

Low reading comprehension has repercussions that transcend the educational field:

• Poor Academic Performance: Students with reading difficulties often show low performance in other subjects, affecting their educational trajectory.
• Limitations in the Labor Market:  The lack of reading and comprehension skills can restrict job opportunities and professional development for individuals.
• Reduced Civic Participation: A population with low levels of functional literacy may have difficulties fully engaging in democratic and social processes.

Initiatives and proposals for improvement

To address this issue, various strategies have been proposed:

• Curricular Reform:  Update study plans to include approaches that promote critical and analytical comprehension of texts.
• Teacher Training: Implement continuous training programs for teachers in effective reading teaching methodologies.
• Promotion of Reading at Home: Involve families in reading activities, creating environments that value and promote reading from an early age.
• Use of Educational Technologies: Leverage digital tools that facilitate access to reading materials and motivate students to develop their reading skills.

The decline in reading comprehension in Mexico is a challenge that requires collaboration from various sectors of society.