Chihuahua labor informality rises to 35.1 percent

Labor informality in Chihuahua, Mexico, rose to 35.1 percent during the second quarter of 2026, up from 30.59 percent the previous year. This increase reflects growing economic precariousness for workers who lack social security, paid vacations, retirement savings, and contractual stability.

According to ENOE data, approximately 87,000 people in Chihuahua are underemployed, meaning they work but are available for more hours. The state recorded 1.9 million employed individuals, a decrease of 10,000 compared to the previous year, while unemployment stood at 51,000. The manufacturing sector, the state's primary economic driver, saw the most significant decline.

While Chihuahua maintains one of the lower informality rates in the country, the rapid growth of informal labor—increasing by more than four percentage points in a single year—poses challenges for family financial stability and emotional well-being.