20% in Quintana Roo Lack Basic Education

Quintana Roo, Mexico — Approximately 318,000 residents of Quintana Roo, representing 20% of the state’s population aged 15 and older, have not completed basic education, according to data from the Educational Indicators System. The figures reveal that 91,659 individuals did not finish primary school, while 184,605 dropped out of secondary education. Additionally, 42,674 people in the state are illiterate, accounting for 2.7% of the 1,579,077 inhabitants in this age group.

Educational Disparities Between Regions

The dropout rate disproportionately affects rural and marginalized communities in southern Quintana Roo, where economic hardship and limited infrastructure contribute to lower educational attainment. In contrast, the northern region, bolstered by the tourism industry, reports higher completion rates.

Financial constraints remain the primary driver of school abandonment, as many students leave to support their families through work. Migration patterns further strain resources, with rapid population growth in the north outpacing the capacity of local schools.

Academic Gaps Worsened by Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated learning delays, with 80% of basic education students now lagging by up to three academic cycles. Seventy percent struggle with mathematics, hindering overall academic progress.

Pedagogy expert Abel Martínez emphasized the role of family dynamics in dropout rates: “Lack of parental support and supervision, often due to demanding work schedules, contributes significantly to students leaving school.”

Dropout rates vary by level:

• Primary: 2.1%
• Secondary: 6.9%
• Upper secondary: 9.5%
• Higher education: 15%

Literacy Efforts and Challenges

Quintana Roo’s 2.7% illiteracy rate remains below the national average of 4.3%, positioning the state among Mexico’s least affected. Héctor Pulido, head of the State Institute for Youth and Adult Education (IEEJA), attributed this to intensified literacy campaigns.

The National Institute for Adult Education (INEA) aims to reduce national illiteracy below 4%, a threshold for declaring a country “illiteracy-free.” Quintana Roo’s 2025 literacy target increased by 300%, from 525 beneficiaries in 2024 to 2,100 this year.

Martínez called for comprehensive strategies to address systemic issues, including infrastructure upgrades, financial aid for families, and greater parental engagement in education.