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The State of the Sector Report 2025 by On Think Tanks offers a snapshot of the global think tank ecosystem. The report is not merely a compilation of statistics; rather, it invites critical reflection on the role that think tanks play in contemporary democracies. In the case of Mexico, the data reveal a dual reality: on one hand, the sector’s growing relevance as an actor in public policy design; on the other, a structural fragility that undermines its autonomy, sustainability, and long-term perspective.
Download the On Think Tanks State of the Sector Report 2025
The paradox of influence
One of the most striking findings of the 2025 report is that 89% of Mexican think tanks claim to have directly contributed to public policy in the past five years. At first glance, this could be seen as a sign of policy influence. However, the key question is how and under what conditions this influence occurs. Excessive dependence on political cycles can actually restrict these organisations’ ability to push forward their own, more disruptive agendas, especially on issues that the current administration may not prioritise.
Moreover, the fact that only 44% of Mexican think tanks report difficulties operating in the country—as compared to 73% across Latin America and the Caribbean—does not necessarily indicate a favourable environment. Instead, it points to a fragmented ecosystem: while some think tanks may operate under relatively stable conditions, others face significant constraints. This disparity suggests that the ease of operation is not a defining feature of the Mexican context, but rather a divergent experience shaped by factors such as organisational size, funding sources, thematic focus, and the degree of proximity to key actors.
Polarisation: When research becomes a political danger
One of the main pressures on the operation of think tanks in Mexico is the growing political polarisation, which is reshaping the conditions under which these organisations carry out their work. In this context, the data paint a particularly troubling picture: 78% of Mexican think tanks acknowledge that political polarisation has affected their operations, especially in how they share research and engage with diverse audiences. This suggests that polarisation is eroding expert mediation and degrading the political space in which think tanks have traditionally operated.
In response, organisations are being forced to redefine their communication strategies, adjust their messaging, and, at times, self-censor to avoid being targeted. This compromises their role and weakens their ability to make meaningful contributions to public debate.
Moreover, the fact that 89% of think tanks in the country rate the current political context as unfavourable, and that 67% expect it to remain so over the next 12 months, confirms that this is not a temporary setback, but rather a structural shift in the operating environment.
Artificial intelligence is here… But do we know how to use it?
The incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) into think tanks is gradually transforming their practices. In Mexico, this trend is not only evident— it also stands in contrast to the rest of the region: 78% of Mexican think tanks report using AI, as compared to 69% of think tanks in Latin America and the Caribbean that do not. In the Mexican context, AI is primarily applied in areas such as research (56%) and communication, where adoption is particularly strong (67%), suggesting that AI is being used as a catalyst to expand audiences and enhance institutional visibility.
However, the most revealing figure is not adoption itself, but rather the low perception of technical barriers: only 11% of Mexican think tanks cite a lack of technical knowledge as an obstacle. This optimism could be a double-edged sword. At a time when AI is evolving faster than regulatory and ethical frameworks, the uncritical implementation of AI risks undermining the quality of evidence these organisations produce.
On a more encouraging note, 78% of Mexican think tanks believe their staff will need data analysis skills, a positive — albeit early — indicator. Yet professionalisation in AI must go beyond mastering tools: it must be grounded in epistemological frameworks, robust methodologies, standards of integrity, continuous training, and a clear institutional strategy. Without this, there is a real risk of building technological infrastructure without a solid analytical foundation.
Funding: The Achilles’ heel
The most evident structural weakness revealed by the State of the Sector Report 2025 is financial. 44% of Mexican think tanks report receiving short-term project funding (six months or less), and 67% say their income levels have remained unchanged over the past two years. Rather than signalling stability, this stagnation points—reflected in the fact that 78% of think tanks do not expect their organisation to grow in the next 12 months. This lack of outlook creates a vicious cycle: without room for planning, innovation is stifled, talent retention weakens, and the quality of analytical work is compromised.
In response, one-third of think tanks have reduced costs, while another third have diversified income sources. Moreover, the withdrawal of key actors like USAID has left many organisations vulnerable to the volatility of domestic funding, where the rules of the game are often less transparent or more politically conditioned.
Rebuilding purpose with a view toward autonomy and sustainability
The data from the State of the Sector Report 2025 clearly outlines the limited room for manoeuvre that think tanks face. In Mexico, these organisations are caught between the pressure to influence policy, the need to adapt to new technologies, and the urgency of financial survival. This triple tension calls for more than operational adjustments—it demands a deep reflection on the think tank model we aim to build.
What does it mean to be a think tank in contexts where evidence is politicised, funding cycles are shrinking, and technologies are advancing faster than the ethical frameworks meant to regulate them?
Redefining the role of think tanks must involve defending their intellectual autonomy, diversifying funding sources without compromising their mission, and building networks that allow them to exert influence without being captured by governmental agendas. Only then can they fulfil their essential role in a healthy democracy: to serve as informed counterweights, producers of rigorous evidence, and generators of necessary ideas.
