Pew Global Attitudes Project: 2009 Mexico Survey

Facing a variety of national problems, Mexicans are overwhelmingly dissatisfied with the direction of their country. Most describe crime, illegal drugs, economic issues, and political corruption as very big problems. Nearly six-in-ten Mexicans say those who leave their country for the United States enjoy a better life there. One-in-three would move to the U.S. if they had the opportunity and most of those would do so without authorization.

Nonetheless, the U.S. Census Bureau reported yesterday that immigration from Mexico to the United States is on the decline. The current Pew Global Attitudes survey finds that four-in-ten Mexicans say they know someone who left for the U.S. but returned because they could not find a job. Even more (47%) report knowing someone who returned because they were turned back by the border patrol.

Nearly all Mexicans see illegal drugs as a major problem, and there is strong support for a tough stance against drug traffickers. Fully 83% support using the army to fight drug traffickers and most believe the army is making progress in this campaign.

Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 1,000 adults in Mexico between May 26 and June 2, 2009. The sample is representative of the country's adult population. The full report, released at 11 am EDT, is available online at: www.pewglobal.org