Mexico labor market sees significant job losses in September

Mexico's labor market experienced a sharp contraction in September 2026, with the loss of approximately 717,972 jobs. This figure represents the largest monthly decline in employment recorded so far this year.

The contraction was driven primarily by the informal economy, which saw a reduction of 847,102 positions. In contrast, formal employment saw a modest increase of 129,130 jobs, which was insufficient to offset the overall losses. The decline was particularly notable among subordinated workers.

Data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) indicates that the occupied population has seen declines in six of the first nine months of 2026. While the unemployment rate showed some fluctuations, the informal labor rate stood at approximately 54.3%, affecting over 32 million people.