Mexico’s digital trade shows mixed signals: high-tech exports hit $82.3 billion in 2022, yet ICT and digital service trade shares are declining amid tax, localization, and regulatory hurdles.
- In 2022, Mexico’s high-tech exports reached $82.3 billion—14.2% of total exports—reflecting a 15.9% increase from 2020. This places the country in the global top 10 and 3rd in technology readiness. || Source: UNESCO
- In 2022, ICT goods made up 13.7% of Mexico’s merchandise exports—down from 22% in 2001, with a 2000–2022 average of 17.7%. || Source: UNCTAD
+ Moreover, ICT goods imports accounted for 13.9% of total trade in 2023, up 7.2% from 2022. The peak was recorded in 2009 at 19.3%. || Source: UNCTAD - As for ICT services, exports accounted for 2.2% of Mexico’s service trade in 2022—a 39.6% decline from 2020—down from a peak of 4% in 2007.
+ ICT service imports represented 8.4% of Mexico’s service trade in 2022, down 11.9% from 2020 but up from 7.1% in 2019. || Source: UNCTAD
+ Key factors behind Mexico’s digital trade decline include VAT on digital services, data localization rules, in-person registration requirements and limited SME digitalization. || Source: ITA
