Guanajuato Ranks Among Least Peaceful States in Mexico Peace Index 2026

How Does Guanajuato Stand in the Mexico Peace Index 2026?

The Mexico Peace Index 2026 confirms that Guanajuato continues to face significant security challenges among Mexican states. The state ranks 30th out of 32, positioning it as the third least peaceful state in the country, ahead only of Sinaloa and Colima. Although the state showed a slight improvement compared to 2025, indicators for organized crime, homicides, firearm offenses, and the economic impact of violence keep Guanajuato on the national watchlist.

Guanajuato Remains in the Low Peace Level Group

The report, prepared by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), assigned Guanajuato an overall score of 4.269 points.

This figure places the state at 30th position in the Mexico Peace Index 2026, just above Sinaloa (4.364) and Colima (4.579), which is considered the least peaceful state in the country. In contrast, Yucatán once again secured the first national place for the ninth consecutive year, with a score of 1.279.

Despite this position, Guanajuato slightly improved its score compared to the previous year. The index went from 4.343 in 2024 to 4.269 in 2025, a variation of -0.074 points, which was insufficient to move out of the group of states with the highest levels of violence.

Organized Crime Represents the State’s Primary Issue

The indicator that most significantly affects Guanajuato corresponds to organized crime offenses. The report assigns the state a maximum score of 5 points, the worst possible within this component of the index.

Additionally, Guanajuato received scores of:

• 4.815 for firearm offenses.
• 4.933 for perception or fear of violence.
• 3.963 for violent crimes.
• 3.445 for homicides.

These results indicate that the entity maintains high levels across practically all indicators that constitute the Mexico Peace Index.

Guanajuato Has Been Among States with Greatest Deterioration Since 2015

The study also analyzes the evolution of peace over the past decade. During this period, Guanajuato appears as the second state with the greatest national deterioration, surpassed only by Colima.

The state’s score increased from 2.495 points in 2015 to 4.269 in 2025, reflecting a sustained rise in violence over the last ten years. The document notes that only nine states improved their peace levels since 2015, while 23 entities registered deteriorations, including Guanajuato.

The Economic Cost of Violence Exceeds 295 Billion Pesos

Violence also has a significant economic impact on the state. In 2025, the economic cost of violence in Guanajuato reached 295.6 billion pesos, the second highest amount in the country, surpassed only by the State of Mexico.

The per capita economic impact was 45,678 pesos per inhabitant, while the total cost represents 19.9% of the state’s Gross Domestic Product. Furthermore, the report indicates that the economic impact of violence in Guanajuato increased by 78.1% between 2015 and 2025, one of the highest variations in the country.

Five Municipalities in Guanajuato Among the Most Violent in Mexico

The Peace Index also identifies municipalities with the highest homicide rates in the country. Guanajuato has five municipalities on this national list:

• Valle de Santiago, 5th place.
• Salamanca, 8th place.
• Celaya, 14th place.
• Pénjamo, 15th place.
• San Miguel de Allende, 16th place.
• Irapuato, 17th place.

The presence of several Guanajuato municipalities on this ranking reflects the territorial concentration of violence within the entity.

Mexico Records Its Greatest Improvement in Peace

Nationally, the Mexico Peace Index 2026 reports a 5.1% improvement, the most significant since the measurement began. The country reduced its homicide rate by 22.7%, equivalent to nearly 7,000 fewer deaths compared to the previous year. Additionally, 22 states improved their peace levels, and only 10 registered deteriorations.

However, the study warns that organized crime, firearm offenses, the rise in domestic violence, and the fragmentation of criminal groups continue to be factors limiting sustained recovery.

Report Warns of Structural Challenges for Guanajuato

Although Guanajuato registered a slight improvement in its overall score, the report concludes that violence levels remain significantly above the national average. The combination of organized crime, firearm offenses, homicides, and a high economic impact keeps the state among those facing the greatest public security challenges.

The Mexico Peace Index 2026 concludes that consolidating , enhancing police capacity, and strengthening the judicial system will be decisive in altering the trajectory of states like Guanajuato in the coming years.

The post appears first on Líder Empresarial.