Mexico is set to increase its excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages to strengthen preventive healthcare and reduce chronic disease. The measure, included in the 2026 economic package, will raise the tax from 1 peso per liter, established in 2014, to $3.1 pesos per liter. All additional revenue will be dedicated to health programs.
“Our goal is not to increase costs, but to reduce consumption,” said Eduardo Clark, Deputy Minister of Integration and Development. When first introduced in 2014, the tax led to a 5.5% drop in purchases in the first year and nearly 10% by the second. Officials expect the updated rate to cut consumption by another 7%, generating an estimated $41 billion MXN (approx. US $2.2 billion) for health initiatives.
Sugar-sweetened beverages remain a major public health concern in Mexico, where the average person consumes 166 liters annually – the highest in the world. These drinks are a leading source of dietary sugar and contribute to rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Currently, three out of four adults are overweight or obese, a sharp increase from less than 10% in the 1980s. Diabetes cases have climbed from 2 million in 1980 to over 12 million today, contributing to more than 100,000 deaths annually.
The economic strain is just as significant. Mexico spends roughly $180 billion pesos each year addressing obesity-related complications, including kidney failure. Hemodialysis alone costs $415,611 MXN per patient annually, a strain on the healthcare system.
The new tax is a key component of the broader Vive Saludable, Vive Feliz (Live Healthy, Live Happy) strategy. This comprehensive campaign, as highlighted by Health Minister David Kershenobich, includes a number of complementary investments. These funds will be used to bolster primary care, expand telemedicine, and support early detection programs. The plan also involves integrating innovative therapies, using artificial intelligence tools to improve diagnostics, and widening access to specialized care.
Zoé Robledo, Director General of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), emphasized that these measures are designed to help reduce inequalities. The increased funding will ensure broader access to diagnostic and monitoring technologies for conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease, making it easier for all citizens to receive the care they need.
This proactive and well-rounded approach is aimed at improving the health and well-being of the entire nation.
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