Mexico. Technology has gone from being a luxury to being a fundamental necessity in the daily lives of Mexicans, transforming the way we work, study, communicate and entertain ourselves. This evolution has generated a significant change in the family budget, such that spending on technology has become a substantial part.
In past decades, such as the 80s or 90s, Mexican households barely considered a landline phone or, perhaps, a television in their budget. Today, connectivity is no longer optional; It is the basis for various daily activities and for well-being in general, which represents a paradigm shift in consumption habits.
How Much Does Daily Connectivity Cost Us?
The indispensable presence of technology in our lives is reflected in the significant expenditure we spend on the following devices and services.
Smartphones: This device is the center of our digital life. The average expenditure on a new smartphone in Mexico is $4,627 pesos in the first quarter of 2025 (Q1-2025), and although it is not disbursed monthly, it is a recurring investment just over every two years (25.8 months).
A decade ago, the average expenditure was $2,600 pesos, that is, it has increased 78%, explained by the offer of advanced functionalities in current devices, which operate as professional cameras, biometric access, video game consoles, entertainment centers, learning, productivity, financial tools, among others.
Apps (Subscriptions and Purchases): 7% of app users pay for them and spend an average of $150 pesos. Precisely, the proliferation in the offer of services and applications under the subscription model has significantly boosted spending in this area frequently, as it requires a monthly or periodic payment.
Wireless Services: Having a device without service is like having a car without gas. Currently, the average expenditure on mobile services is $140 pesos per month. While the commercial offer at that price level usually does not include a large amount of browsing data, users have unlimited social networks and instant messaging included, which translates into a total average consumption (including + subsidized) of 6 GB of data.
Fixed Internet: The average monthly cost of fixed internet services in the home is $544.2 pesos per month. There is a decrease in the proportion of households with pay TV, which has boosted internet spending, reaching 29 million internet accesses compared to 16.9 million in the case of pay TV. Additionally, the growing demand for higher data download speeds has driven a greater outlay in this area.
Smart TV: It is an essential device in home entertainment. The average expenditure on televisions has increased 16.8%, going from $4,763 pesos in 2016 to $5,563 pesos in 2022, according to data from the ENIGH 2022. Today, three out of four TVs are smart, driven in part by the analog blackout.
Laptops / Computers: Essential links for work and study, spending on computers registers an increase of 64.1%, going from $5,243 pesos in 2016 to $8,603 pesos in 2022, according to data from the ENIGH 2022. Although the COVID-19 pandemic boosted its use, the proportion of households with low SES computers fell from 50% to 38% in the referred period.
SVOD (Streaming Video On Demand): The average expenditure on streaming platforms is $316 pesos, due to the increase in supply and the relevance of having a greater number to access as much content as possible. On average, a user has access to two accounts, and 35% of users pay for them. In total, 14.3 million subscriptions are counted at the end of 2024.
Smart Watches and Other Connected Devices: Watches ($4,384 pesos) and smart bands ($1,150 pesos) demonstrate the diversification of technological needs and growing spending on other devices with connectivity, including wearables, voice assistants and smart home systems.
Technology as a Necessity and Opportunity
Considering both devices and services, the average monthly expenditure on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) per Mexican household is $7,714 pesos, a figure that represents 19% of a household's total expenditure, according to information from the ENIGH 2022.
Today, this amount enables access to more and better applications and services, with greater speeds and technological tools.
This spending should not be seen as just a monetary figure, but as an investment in productivity, education, entertainment, family communication, and new opportunities. Technology has redefined modern living, becoming a fundamental pillar rather than a simple luxury.
The integration of technology into the lives of Mexicans is an irreversible phenomenon that has transformed spending and consumption patterns. The investment in technological devices and services, although significant, is justified by the multiple benefits it brings in terms of efficiency, connectivity and access to information.
As technology continues to evolve, its share in the household budget is projected to not only remain the same, but even increase, consolidating itself as an essential element for inclusion and the digital economy.
Analysis by Alberto Piedras of The Competitive Intelligence Unit, The CIU.
