Total reserves (% of total external debt) in Mexico
Mexico: Total reserves (% of total external debt) was 39.2% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Total reserves in Mexico, 1971–2024
Source: International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of total external debt.
Analysis
The most recent figure for total reserves in Mexico is 39.2%, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 9.1% on the previous year and up 9.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total reserves in Mexico peaked at 42.4% in 2011 and was at its lowest, 2.1%, in 1982.
Mexico ranks 51st of 112 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total reserves (% of total external debt) in Mexico, year by year
| Year | % of total external debt | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 12.9% | — |
| 1972 | 15.5% | +20.7% |
| 1973 | 15.7% | +1.4% |
| 1974 | 13.6% | -13.4% |
| 1975 | 10.3% | -24.4% |
| 1976 | 5.8% | -43.6% |
| 1977 | 6.2% | +6.2% |
| 1978 | 6.3% | +2.3% |
| 1979 | 7.2% | +13.7% |
| 1980 | 7.3% | +0.9% |
| 1981 | 6.3% | -12.6% |
| 1982 | 2.1% | -67.5% |
| 1983 | 5.1% | +149.7% |
| 1984 | 8.4% | +64.0% |
| 1985 | 5.9% | -30.7% |
| 1986 | 6.6% | +12.8% |
| 1987 | 12.5% | +89.1% |
| 1988 | 6.4% | -49.0% |
| 1989 | 7.2% | +12.6% |
| 1990 | 9.8% | +36.2% |
| 1991 | 15.8% | +61.8% |
| 1992 | 17.0% | +7.9% |
| 1993 | 19.2% | +12.5% |
| 1994 | 4.6% | -76.0% |
| 1995 | 10.2% | +122.1% |
| 1996 | 12.4% | +21.2% |
| 1997 | 19.4% | +56.4% |
| 1998 | 18.6% | -3.9% |
| 1999 | 17.1% | -8.0% |
| 2000 | 20.0% | +16.6% |
| 2001 | 22.1% | +10.7% |
| 2002 | 26.2% | +18.4% |
| 2003 | 29.6% | +13.1% |
| 2004 | 30.6% | +3.2% |
| 2005 | 34.0% | +11.1% |
| 2006 | 34.4% | +1.3% |
| 2007 | 34.8% | +1.1% |
| 2008 | 38.4% | +10.3% |
| 2009 | 39.9% | +3.9% |
| 2010 | 38.6% | -3.2% |
| 2011 | 42.4% | +9.9% |
| 2012 | 38.6% | -9.0% |
| 2013 | 35.7% | -7.4% |
| 2014 | 36.0% | +0.6% |
| 2015 | 33.0% | -8.2% |
| 2016 | 32.7% | -1.0% |
| 2017 | 30.3% | -7.2% |
| 2018 | 29.3% | -3.4% |
| 2019 | 29.6% | +1.2% |
| 2020 | 32.3% | +8.9% |
| 2021 | 34.5% | +7.0% |
| 2022 | 34.3% | -0.6% |
| 2023 | 36.0% | +4.8% |
| 2024 | 39.2% | +9.1% |
Mexico compared with similar countries
- Mexico's 39.2% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 38.0%, 1.0× the median. (51 countries reporting)
- Mexico's 39.2% is above the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 33.6%, 1.2× the median. (22 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Total reserves (% of total external debt) in Mexico changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | +149.7% | 2.1% | 5.1% |
| 1995 | +122.1% | 4.6% | 10.2% |
| 1987 | +89.1% | 6.6% | 12.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 10.4% | 5.8% | 15.7% | 9 |
| 1980s | 6.8% | 2.1% | 12.5% | 10 |
| 1990s | 14.4% | 4.6% | 19.4% | 10 |
| 2000s | 31.0% | 20.0% | 39.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 34.6% | 29.3% | 42.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 35.3% | 32.3% | 39.2% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Mexico
- 48 North Macedonia 40.9% compare
- 49 Nicaragua 39.4% compare
- 50 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 39.3% compare
- 52 Gambia 38.3% compare
- 53 Jamaica 38.0% compare
- 54 South Africa 37.2% compare
More financial sector data for Mexico
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, annual growth rate 14.41 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0018 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per capita 24.82 units per person (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, annual growth rate 8.95 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.0013 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per capita 18.13 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, annual growth rate 14.41 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0018 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per capita 24.82 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, SDR, annual growth rate 8.95 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total reserves in Mexico?
- Total reserves in Mexico was 39.2% in 2024, according to International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest total reserves recorded in Mexico?
- The highest recorded value was 42.4% in 2011.
- What is the lowest total reserves recorded in Mexico?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.1% in 1982.
- How does Mexico rank for total reserves?
- Mexico ranks 51st out of 112 countries with data for 2024.
- Is total reserves rising or falling in Mexico?
- Over the last ten years it is up 9.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Mexico data come from?
- The figures come from International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB), published as part of Total reserves (% of total external debt). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Reserve assets are external assets, including monetary gold, that are readily available to and controlled by monetary authorities for meeting balance of payments financing needs, for intervention in exchange markets to affect the currency exchange rate, and for other related purposes (such as maintaining confidence in the currency and the economy, and serving as a basis for foreign borrowing). Reserve assets must be denominated and settled in foreign currency. This indicator is expressed as a percentage of total external debt which are all liabilities that require payment(s) of interest and/or principal by the debtor at some point(s) in the future and that are owed to non-residents by residents of an economy.