Mexico's 2026 Budget Criticized for Insufficient Infrastructure Investment
Mexico faces significant infrastructure challenges, with road-building needing around 570 billion pesos (US $31 billion). Economist Mariana Campos criticises the 2026 budget, setting infrastructure investment at just 2.5% of GDP, below the average of 3.1% between 2013 and 2023. Public investment in infrastructure has dropped by 33.7% in real terms in the first eight months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
Banobras estimates that Mexico requires 2.67 trillion pesos (US $145.2 billion) to close infrastructure gaps and promote regional connectivity. Expansión magazine reports that the 2026 budget could see Mexico investing less in infrastructure than in paying interest on its debt. The water supply sector has seen a 75% reduction in public works spending in the first eight months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced plans to increase infrastructure investment in her second year in office, focusing on projects like railways and ports. However, Jorge Cano of México Evalúa criticises the government's debt reduction plan, which has reduced public investment to 2.3% of GDP in 2025, the lowest amount since 2019. Campos argues that the budget lacks a vision for the future, describing it as 'a roadmap for managing shortages without altering the status quo.'
Congress is set to consider the 2026 budget package, with infrastructure investment a key point of contention. While President Sheinbaum has expressed plans to increase investment, experts like Campos warn that the current budget does not address Mexico's infrastructure needs effectively. The government must address these concerns to ensure adequate investment in infrastructure and promote regional connectivity.
