Jennifer Mendoza
Research expert covering health, pharma and medtech
Hospitals in Mexico - Statistics & Facts
During the pre-hispanic era in Mexico, healers known as “titici” would use herbs, roots, and minerals, along with divination and basic surgical procedures to treat patients. As Spaniards settled in the American continent, the first European-style hospitals were built in the region. It was, among others, the “titici” who first assisted the ill and wounded. Many centuries later, Mexicans still incorporate herbal remedies when treating common ailments, complementing the more widely spread contemporary treatments. The Latin American country now hosts more than 4,700 modern hospitals, whose production value exceeds that of any other category of health care goods and services, while reaching over 40 billion U.S. dollars in revenue.
Despite ranking second in Latin America and the Caribbean for its number of hospitals, when it comes to hospital beds per 1,000 people, Mexico ranks 12th, with Argentina and Cuba having nearly four hospital beds per 1,000 people more than the North American nation. Although over 70 percent of Mexican hospitals are privately owned, most hospital beds are located in public institutions with over 36 percent of beds used in the areas of obstetrics, gynecology, or pediatrics, and 14 percent used for internal medicine patients.
Mexico’s hospital capacity
Mexico ranks second in Latin America and the Caribbean for its number of hospitals, following Brazil with a total of 6,700. The second most populated country in the region had an estimated 3,500 for-profit privately owned hospitals, and close to 1,500 publicly owned clinics in 2022. Not-for-profit privately owned hospitals amounted to 22 facilities that year. According to a ranking considering a range of dimensions including patient safety, human capital, and patient experience, one of these not-for-profit institutions was the fourth leading hospital in the country based on quality. The leading hospital in Mexico, according to these criteria, is for profit and private.Despite ranking second in Latin America and the Caribbean for its number of hospitals, when it comes to hospital beds per 1,000 people, Mexico ranks 12th, with Argentina and Cuba having nearly four hospital beds per 1,000 people more than the North American nation. Although over 70 percent of Mexican hospitals are privately owned, most hospital beds are located in public institutions with over 36 percent of beds used in the areas of obstetrics, gynecology, or pediatrics, and 14 percent used for internal medicine patients.
Physicians, nurses, and other hospital personnel
When it comes to personnel, an estimated 900,000 people work in hospitals in Mexico. This includes professionals in different areas such as physicians and nurses, dentists, pharmacists, laboratory assistants, and audiologists. Among physicians, nurses, and other health specialized professionals, 29 percent work in psychiatric and addiction treatment hospitals, while close to 10 percent work in general hospitals. Half of them work in doctor’s offices, which are sometimes located in hospitals and clinics. Regarding salary, average remuneration of general practitioners in Mexico has been decreasing, amounting to an estimated 23,000 U.S. dollars in 2021. Overall, while the country’s hospital landscape has positively evolved over time, the country still faces significant challenges. Low salaries, high out-of-pocket costs, and limited healthcare access are issues that affect everyone, particularly the most vulnerable.
