Baja California Leads Mexico in Formal Employment Growth in First Half of 2026
Baja California recorded 1,070,951 workers insured with the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) by June 2026, representing an increase of 76,048 formal jobs year‑to‑date and a 5.4% rise over June 2025. The figure makes the state the top generator of formal employment in Mexico for the first half of 2026, trailing only the Federal District and the State of Mexico in absolute growth.
Municipal data show Tijuana added 42,589 insured workers, Mexicali 31,154, Ensenada 2,449, Playas de Rosarito 47, with San Quintín and Tecate contributing 138 and 53 respectively. Gains occurred across almost all economic activities except Transportes y Comunicaciones, which lost 2,377 positions. The largest sectoral increases were in Servicios sociales y comunales (+30,666 jobs), Industria de la Construcción (+17,584), Agricultura, Ganadería, Silvicultura, Pesca y Caza (+14,142), Comercio (+11,478), Servicios para Empresas, Personas y el Hogar (+2,272) and Industrias de la Transformación (+2,173). Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda emphasized the positive trend and its impact on household stability and social security coverage.