For those of you already wishing to tune me out based on the title alone, please stick with me and let’s look at some facts and figures that will help to connect the dots on my argument.
The foreign-born population of Mexico — and Americans in particular — have been getting a lot of attention lately.
(Please don’t scold me for using the term “American.” I am aware that all people born in the Americas are technically Americans but right or wrong, most people refer to people born in the United States as Americans and I will do the same in this article.)
Some would say the fuse was first lit with foreigners complaining about local music on the beach in Mazatlán or others asking for “salsa que no pica.” Here in San Miguel de Allende, the tension is usually around foreigners complaining about the fireworks and the stress it causes on their dogs. Imagine for a moment a foreign-born population moving into the United States and complaining about how a local long-standing tradition negatively affected their dogs … How well would that go over?
Tensions, of course, have heated up recently with anti-gentrification protests in certain neighborhoods of Mexico City — as well as valid complaints about rapidly rising rents, English-language menus and increasingly bland salsas. But as is often the case in emotionally charged issues, facts and figures tend to be overlooked. So let’s take a minute to review some of them with respect to the foreign population and foreign visitors in Mexico.
Mexico has a population of 132 million people, of which an estimated 1.6 million are American, 400,000 are Canadian, and another several hundred thousand are from Central America, South America, Europe and the rest of the world. Reasonable estimates would be a maximum of 2.5 million foreign-born people in the country — less than 2% of the population. Americans make up around 1.2% of the population in Mexico.
For some perspective, the foreign-born population in the United States is now over 53 million or nearly 16% of the population. People of Mexican origin living in the United States make up almost 12% of the U.S. population. The foreign-born population in Canada is now 8.4 million or nearly 22% of the population. In other words, the foreign-born population in the United States is eight times more than Mexico’s while Canada’s is 11 times more. Other big countries with large economies in Europe also have significant foreign-born populations. To name a few, Germany’s foreign-born population is 21%, the United Kingdom’s is 17%, and in France it’s 14%.
A major influx of foreign-born residents does not come without its problems and challenges. We have seen first hand across the globe how a large inflow of foreigners (especially when it happens quickly) has caused problems with housing availability and costs, the labor market, and at times led to social issues. In many countries, a rightward move in politics has occurred, with anti-immigrant or closed border candidates increasingly winning elections. That being said, most would agree that immigrantion has a net positive affect on a country — due to everything from an influx of labor, an increase in GDP, and an increased richness of culture in everything from food to traditions to music. Imagine for a moment the U.K. without Indian food! 🙂
So let’s look specifically at Americans in Mexico. To begin with, they are spread out across the country. Even San Miguel de Allende, which has been “ground zero” for gringo-gentrification in Mexico for decades, is still less than 10% American. Think about that for a minute: The Mexican city with the highest percentage of Americans and a nearly 100 year history of American residents is still at only 10% … compared to the ENTIRE United States being 12% Mexican. The exact number of Americans living in Mexico City is difficult to estimate, but even if you take the very highest estimates, it is still far below one half of one percent of the city’s population!
But there’s another important aspect to the foreign-born population discussion, beyond the raw numbers: What impacts are the foreigners having? In the case of immigrants in the United States and Canada, most people would agree that they are often coming to work, earn more money and give a better life to their families. Arguments have been made that they are “taking jobs from locals,” but they tend to be quite weak and with little evidence. That being said, immigrants are likely suppressing wages in some areas and certain industries. They are also often putting a strain on everything from housing to schools to medical resources to government services. In other words, they provide a clear economic benefit, but also create some very real and difficult strains on local communities.
In the case of Americans and Canadians in Mexico, the vast majority historically have come to retire. They buy or rent a home and spend their retirement money locally. They are rarely taking the job of a local, and likely not putting a strain on public schools, public housing, government services, or public healthcare. They are certainly contributing to housing prices rising in many areas. They likely don’t pay any payroll or income taxes (as they often aren’t working) but they pay property taxes on their homes and IVA taxes on items that they buy.
I looked into the number of foreign tourists coming into the country as a percentage of total population to see if that might be part of what makes it “feel like” there are more foreigners in Mexico. In 2024, Mexico had nearly 45 million international tourists — 34% of the population. That compares to 72 million international tourists to the U.S., representing 21% of the population. Canada’s 2024 international tourist arrivals were almost 20 million, or 48% of the population. In Spain, which has experienced a backlash in tourism levels, the number of international tourists as a percentage of the total population is a whopping 193%! In the UK it is 61%, France 146% and Italy 116%. Based on this data, Mexico in comparison still receives a relatively low number of international tourists given the size of its population.
A final consideration and very important reality check — Mexico’s economy is not growing. In GDP growth it has underperformed compared to the U.S. for years, and current expectations for this year, 2026 and even 2027 are for flat growth at best. With tariff threats on Mexican-made goods and a U.S. push for reshoring of manufacturing in the U.S. (versus in Mexico), growth might even be negative for years to come.
In a previous article, I argued that Mexico’s economy needs a rethink. I think a big part of that rethink needs to focus on how to attract significantly more foreigners (and yes, Americans) to the country to vacation, live, work and invest. A focused plan to attract two times more tourists and five times more foreign residents would have a hugely positive impact on Mexico in terms of investment and economic growth. This influx of foreigners most certainly would not come without its share of headaches, but an economy that has a large young population and no economic growth will have other significant issues. For those of you that disagree with my thinking here, what would you suggest to get the economy going again and improve living standards for many?
Mexico City based MND writer María Meléndez wrote the following in a recent article on gentrification in her neighborhoods: “I have seen how dedicated many foreigners are in their efforts to learn Spanish, integrate into our communities, show respect, and gain a better understanding of this country.”
Another side of the story: A Mexican perspective on gentrification
I think that is such an important point. As the foreign-born population coming to Mexico to live, work and vacation likely continues to grow, it will become more important than ever for them to take María’s comments seriously. For sure there will be issues — cost of living increases, being offered bland salsa options in restaurants, increasingly being asked if we have any allergy restrictions, and too many people (including myself) wearing shorts in the cities. That being said, I have no doubt that the net impact of a lot more Americans (and foreigners in general) in Mexico would be a positive one.
You can be assured that Mexico News Daily will do our part in helping these new arrivals better understand and respect the country and its wonderful people.
Travis Bembenek is the CEO of Mexico News Daily and has been living, working or playing in Mexico for nearly 30 years.
Excellent article. Mark & Vulture & all,; of course those who come espousing racist values need to be included in this conversation. Years ago most ex-pats/immigrants/retirees came because a love of the culture. There are now what I have begun to see as the financial immigrants. These people have no desire for anything other than a cheaper cost of living as close to the US as possible.
In any case I want to hope that most folks who move here are well intended. For me, the critical aspect of this conversation is the hope than newcomers adapt to and respect the culture…. Appreciate how wonderful Mexico is.
I would offer my solution to this. As as added requirement with one’s temporary or permanent status…one will not be allowed to speak during the first year unless it is to get food or shelter. In year 2 one can speak but not express an opinion until year 3. By then hopefully using ears and eyes one will have come a long way to appreciating the wonders of this country without comparing it to “back home”.
An interesting proposal indeed! 🙂
I appreciate this thought, and truly it is a good guideline comparable to the discussion rule, “nobody speaks twice until everyone speaks once.” The people who speak last usually have the wisest contributions, I have observed.
A more concrete proposal for assimilation into Mexican society might be for foreigners to take a class as a requirement for their residency. In it, we could learn about the country’s history, culture and basic conversational Spanish and idioms. I am from the U.S. but lived in Guatemala as a teenager. I will never forget the kind people who explained the details of social etiquette and other things I wouldn’t have guessed on my own. Instruction like that, but more formal, could go a long way in helping gringos be good guests here.
Great suggestion.
Kudos to Editor Travis Bembeck for this well researched article. Yes, more immigrants and tourists coming to Mexico benefit the country and the economy. Will they change Mexico and Mexican culture? Perhaps to a degree. There may be more English language media and more foreign restaurants and grocery stores, concerts, etc. we can see something similar in the USA with Telemundo, Univisión and other media targeting the Spanish speaking market. Many churches provide services in Spanish. There are many markets and grocery stores that cater to Hispanics and other immigrant groups. This hasn’t changed American culture, it has only added to the culture and the same will hold true for Mexico which has the most diverse and best food in the world! McDonalds or KFC will not matter. If more Mexicans need to learn English, that will only be a good thing since English is the language of business and tourism and will enable them to travel or come to the US as my father and maternal grandparents did. For me, I’m blessed to be both American 🇺🇸 and Mexican !
Well said David….I hope an increasing amount of people can see the potential for immigrants to Mexico being additive, not replacing anything. Thanks for your comment.
😂 hahaha… I just had a thought about a lot more Americans in Mexico… I believe that a lot of the rhetoric here in Mexico about gentrification is the same used on Mexicans in the U.S., admittedly, with some shading. Well, here’s another one- in reverse!!! The original admonition/warning in the U.S. when anti-Mexican rhetoric got hot was: “What would the U.S. look like if we suddenly woke up and all the Mexicans were gone?” Who would pick and deliver our food? Cook our food? Do our dry-cleaning? Cut our grass? Clean our house? Babysit our kids?……. Now imagine a Mexico if you wake up and there are no more Gringos?! Tio and Tia’s jobs at private homes would go away, Abuela and abuelo’s restaurant customer sales would drop, Store receipts across Pueblos to ciudades would decline, rents would go down but vacancies would skyrocket (for Mexican property owners!) And on an on. Also, many, many Mexicans would miss the deep and rewarding friendships lost and the sharing of cultures. Travis, we seriously NEED eachother. There is more that unites us than divides us. It is only when we think “us vs them” that all this ugly, short-sighted rhetoric rears its ugly head. It’s a tired and played out old trope!
Good points! Most of the immigrants from the US we’ve met in Merida chose to leave the US because they love the Mexican people and their culture! We’ve lived here five years in Merida, and we love it! My husband is from Campeche but we met in San Antonio, moving here after my retirement from teaching in a public school . Immigrating to Mexico was the best decision we’ve made! We weren’t thinking about financial reasons when we decided to move. We were thinking of quality of life!
Be assured – many of us have fallen in love with you, Mexico. I strive daily to master spanish and I do spend nearly all my money here. I want my Mexican friends to do well. I want them to prosper. I want to try to give back to the community. I am not yet retired, but work here and return to the USA to take care of clients needs in person. I can assure you, I try my best to be a good neighbor. The fireworks issue did touch a nerve. In October, I was robbed at gunpoint north of Puebla in what I hear is called “la zona roja” – and for good reason. It was devastating and yet my stubborn insistence on driving at night and my truck breaking down, only invited trouble. The connect here is that the 9mm gunshots fired near my head did traumatize both me and my dog. It was one of the few times I reconsidered returning to the USA. All I had to do was turn on the USA news and see trump and maga morons to know I was in a better place. The connection here is that my dog; my companion, has since that point gone off the rails with the fireworks. he seriously needs to be medicated. I asked my neighbor politely at first to please blast the fireworks out in the street and not next to my rental house and either out of ignorance or offense, he started dropping more over into my patio! That enraged me and the not so kind angry American came out and I confronted him. Afterwards, I realized it is much misunderstanding. I just hope he does not do that again. I respect the cultures and ADMIRE the lifestyle. We just need to work harder as foreigners to work harder to express ourselves and and make the extra effort because we are still guests. And no gringo self-entitlement attitudes, please! It is another reason I re-entered spanish classes as I did not come here to MX expecting folks to stoop to our english. It is OUR responsibility as USA citizens to make the extra effort. I will not go further into the ****ing MAGA and trump (small t) disaster up north, other than I cry and rage and now try to focus on good things in MX. To the extranjeros reading this, please always encourage yourself and other GUESTS about this. And to my Mexican friends reading this? I would apologize about the dirtbag facist goons in the USA, if I thought it would do any good. I cringe in horror at the USA. In return I can only say VIVA MEXICO! gracias
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Mr. Bembenek,
I’m Canadian. Today, in Canada’s largest city, Toronto, 51% of the population was not born in Canada. The whole metropolis is a colorful stew of different races, languages, skin tones; a whirling kaleidoscope of cultures, traditions and different perspectives. Mexico City is a homogenized colossus in comparison. Toronto’s mix, of course, can be exciting and vivifying for some people, but threatening and intimidating for others. Benefits come in the form of the plethora of different cuisines, fashions, ethnic hoods and musical scenes to enjoy. Stressors routinely manifest in daily life such as elementary schools where teachers have classrooms full of immigrant children who speak 20 different languages — none of them English.
I’m a Canadian who married a Mexican and have travelled throughout Mexico for 40 years. I love Mexico and its people and miss it greatly when not there.
I sense the difference between Mexicans and Canadians in 2025 is that Mexicans have a profound sense of who they are and where they came from, shaped in the crucible of their long struggle for independence and self-determination. Canadians, however, are currently experiencing an identity crisis. Our indigenous/British/French roots are being diluted by a tsunami of welcome and needed newcomers from all over the planet. This makes agreeing or finding a consensus on the way forward difficult. The current idea of Canada being a “post-national state”, that Canada’s identity is not defined by a single core culture or ethnicity, but rather by its diversity and openness to various cultural influences, is conceptually difficult for a lot of Canadians to grasp.
All this is a long-winded way of urging caution, Mr. Bembenek. Finding the balance between too much immigration and not enough is a difficult task indeed.
James,
Thanks for sharing your experience from Toronto. I agree with you that it is a very delicate and complicated balance. I don’t think it will be easy to have more immigrants coming to Mexico – but as I outline in my article – I think it will be a net positive. Thanks again for your comments.
Absolutely spot on! I’m also a Canadian, but born, raised and living in Vancouver. Sharing our experiences from Canada is all we can offer Los Mexicanos. Recommending anything much more than “do your research” is problematic given the differences. That said, and as James03 knows the people of Quebec, as a matter of public policy, guard their language and culture. In short, with a sea of English influence around them, it makes sense.
I’m married to a Mexican man. The dream is to Snow Bird (live in winter months) in PV and visit family in CDMX. My personal goal is to get my Spanish up to a conservational level. Mexicans love it when you try to speak Spanish. They are very helpful.
Here’s my thought: Mexico will be welcoming many more Americans very soon. I think it’s likely, yes LIKELY, that the tax rules for Americans residing in Mexico, and other “foreign” countries, will be changed, perhaps before the end of this year. As a result, they would pay no U.S. tax on their Mexican and other “foreign” income, only on their U.S. income. This is the rule in almost every other country. It is not a radical approach. People would need to elect this new approach, called residency-based taxation (RBT). There are very few people that would not happily embrace RBT. How U.S. social security income would be treated is a subject, of course, of huge interest. Who would be eligible for RBT, how to apply estate and gift (death) tax rules, and a handful of other details are being ironed out as I write this. Americans in Mexico, as well as Mexican individuals and businesses intertwined with them, should “lean in”, immediately, to help shape and then enact RBT. As things stand, I’m reminded of my dog Tinkerbell sitting down. When he started to turn around and around and around, I knew he was going to sit down. RBT legislation right now, today, early August, is turning around and around. Trump has said he favors eliminating double taxation for Americans abroad, his way of saying adopting RBT. A well drafted bill has been introduced by Rep. LaHood. It will be reintroduced shortly, after the August recess. There will be additional co-sponsors. Studies by my organization, American Citizens Abroad Global Foundation, show that RBT will not lose revenue. A wide range of groups, including the RBT Coalition, support it. Based on what I see, I sense it will have bipartisan support. I invite everyone to join me in saying sweetly “Sit down Tinkerbell!” Charles Bruce, Chairman, ACAGF and Legal Counsel, American Citizens Abroad.
Thanks for this informative comment, Charles. But what do you mean by “Sit down Tinkerbell?”
He means “go ahead and adopt RBT already!” 😂 I bet Tinkerbell is really cute. ☺️ Thank you for this informative and compelling piece, Travis. We’re truly grateful to Mexico and its people for welcoming us as visitors and as immigrants.
All good posts, comments, and replies. I’ve lived in Mexico for 19 years, 60 miles from the Arizona border in Puerto Penasco/Rocky Point in the state of Sonora. I embrace the culture, I am a guest even though I have a permanent residency status. I pay my income taxes of what I earn in Mexico. I learn Spanish as my brain allows, the locals appreciate it. It is mutual, they want to learn English. This is symbiotic. If that’s the correct word. BLUE poster, your comments remind me of the movie “A Day Without a Mexican”, awesome movie. I wonder how it would be if a movie were made, in Mexico, “A Day without an American”. We would all miss each other in these scenarios. Bottom line, it’s a simple idea, “RESPECT”. There should be no “Karens” anywhere. Live and let live. In harmony.
Excellent article indeed!
My biggest concern is what our presence is doing to the cost of living for the Mexicans. Here Lakeside, the costs of real estate have skyrocketed (IMO). I think local groceries have gone up. With so many Gringos spending money without concern, why wouldn’t/shouldn’t local retailers charge more? But that also means the native Mexicans are paying more.
I read that “RESPECT” has to be more common. I could not agree with that more. I will admit that I do not speak Spanish primarily because I am having great difficulty learning it. I have tried many different courses and so far, to no avail. But I do NOT expect all Mexicans to speak English. Why should they? This is their country and Spanish is the native language. Would it be any different than expecting all foreigners to speak English in the US?
Foreigners should follow the laws, even if they are not enforced and Mexicans do not. Again, what would happen if they were in the US. If the law says you cannot build too close to the water, Lake Chapala in this case, then don’t build. Don’t chase off those that tell you that you are wrong, whether it be Mexicans or Gringos. We had a Gringo here Lakeside that just left his motorcycle in the middle of the street. No known reason why. Blocking traffic on a narrow street. Where is the respect for others, be they Mexicans, Foreigners, or the buses on a schedule that need to get by.
But the Mexicans also need to start enforcing rules, thinking better. Here Lakeside (Chapala and Ajijic), the infrastructure cannot take any more people to live, regardless of nationality. The road is a single lane road in each direction and on occasion, it takes 20 minutes to drive 1.5 miles. The bikes do it in under 10 minutes. There are electricity outages although CFE is trying. And perhaps the biggest issue is water. Fresh water, even if not clean. Yes, there is much land on which housing and business can be built. But that does not mean it should be.
Allow more foreigners to move to Mexico. But I believe it is up to the government, across all geographical measurements, to do so responsibly.
There is a reference in the article to the UK and so I will add some perspective from that country.
Immigration has certainly become a very significant problem in the UK over the past 20 years. It has moved well beyond to value of a wider choice of food. Consider some items.
Firstly in population terms, the UK is about half the size of Mexico, but has a much smaller land mass.
Immigration used to be at quite a gently rate, but for the past 20 years has increased significantly and in the past three years dramatically, with a net immigration of almost 1M in a year. That is an increase in population of about 1.5% in a single year. Integration can be very hard with these levels.
It has both legal and illegal immigration (25,000 arriving illegally by boat this year to date who pretend they are asylum seekers but in reality are economic migrants. They throw all ID into the sea).
There is an industry of lawyers and charities, often funded by UK tax payers who exploit the European Court of Human Rights to force illegal immigrants to stay at the UK expense.
The people are put into hotels or houses with benefits including phones whilst years of legal process continues. They often work illegally for cash. This is all at tax payer expense.
A few people have commited offences or are terrorists.
You mentioned that about 10% of SMA is non-Mexican.
London, the UK capital is about 50% either born abroad or with parents born abroad.
There are religious problems, particularly with Islam and the rise of Sharia courts in a country where Christianity is linked to the state.
It has complete streets where not a single person speaks English.
Mexico has warned its citizens about the UK.
Mexico is fortunately so very far from this in present times. It handles immigration very well and is a role model to the world and should feel very proud.
I was born in Texas into a “Mexican-American” family in the middle of the last century. To help me survive and succeed in a country that prided itself on being “American”, and not only the role model but also the enforcer of “American values”, my baptismal name, Rolando, became Roland the moment I stepped out of my family circle into “the (English-speaking American) world”
I survived and succeeded. I am a Marine Vietnam veteran, with experience as a waiter, bartender, café owner, nurseryman, landscaper, and finally as a health-care provider for writers and artists on the island of Key West, FL, which had Cuba as a historical preserve of pre-Colombian “paradise”. “Americans” had succeeded in co-opting Cuban culture and history, putting an embargo on the island after Fidel Castro overthrew the American-backed and supported corrupt government of Fulgencio Batista. The current administration is continuing and strengthening that attitude and those actions against Cuba and its government.
The United States’ relations and reputation in dealing with Mexico and Mexicans are dismal. To begin with, having overtaken Spain as the chief arbiter of the proper position and power of a land whose indigenous population called their home “Anahuac”, and because the “Americans”, who had moved into what should today be the northern lands of Anahuac, wanted property rights, the United States “claimed” what is now the South, the Southwest, and the West of the United States, most of which land is still known by its Spanish names. Little, if anything, remains of the original indigenous language, Nahuatl.
The current Administration of the United States is the epitome of everything a government shouldn’t be. First and foremost is the renewed sense of superiority. If Mexico doesn’t do what the president of the United States demands, the United States will make Mexico suffer. The American dollar seems to be the only thing Americans value. And that is the weapon Americans think will make Mexicans welcome them and overlook their boorish life and outlook.
Americans may be able to buy their way into Mexican cities and neighborhoods. But it is no guarantee that they will be able to buy their way into the heart and soul of Mexico.
I like to say that here, near San Miguel, that for every American who comes, 1000 go to Arizona and Florida. We are self-selecting, and should recognize that. I remember my first time here, some 45 years ago, when our American friend Cappy turned to her assistant and said, “Rodrigo, bring the caro to the puerto at uno.”
When my wife complemented her on her command of Spanish, she said, laughing, “I couldn’t do anything without it.” The ability to laugh at ourselves adapting here, and letting the Mexicans see that, is a great social lubricant. Another is participating in a charity. I am a member of Jovenes Adelante, started mostly by gringos, but now staffed by all Mexicans, and mentored by mostly Mexicans.
We are all in this together. Keep that in mind, and carry on.
The last thing Mexico needs is more Americans who for the most part want it to be more like the USA. Mexicans have a great culture and life in Mexico and they certainly don’t need gentrification and the superior attitude that many people from the USA bring with them.
Agree with most of what was said. The petty crying over gentrification by a small majority of people is ridiculous. They are just looking for a way to strike back at Trumps policies. I would argue that Mexican Americans are a bigger cause of rising rent and house prices then digital nomads and tourists. Mexican Americans come back on vacations and buy up land and build luxurious houses regardless of higher costs.
No where in your article do you consider the contributions the foreign community makes to their local communities volunteering. As you mentioned many of us are retired and not only have time to contribute to our local schools, etc. But we also bring years of experience and best practices as we volunteer here.
In Mazatlan we have many great organizations and opportunities to contribute to Mazatlan. I happen to be the President of Amigos de Mexico MZT A.C. Established in 1998. We are comprised of Canadians, Americans and Mexicans working together, supporting a local school. If you would like to learn more, I woul;d be happy to share.
Linda Hannawalt