Mexico Jobless Rate Hits Lowest Since May

Mexico’s unemployment rate fell to 2.8% in September 2026 from 3.0% in August, slightly below forecasts of 3.0% and reaching its lowest level since May. The unemployed population totaled 1.76 million people, with the jobless rate at 2.7% for women and 2.9% for men. By age group, people aged 25–44 accounted for the largest share of the unemployed population, at 46.8%, followed by those aged 15–24, at 30.5%. Regarding unemployment duration, 40% had been out of work for one month or less, while 34.1% had been unemployed for more than one month and up to three months. Meanwhile, 7.2% had been without work for more than six months and up to one year, and 3.3% had been unemployed for more than a year.

Mexico’s unemployment rate edged up to 3.0% in August 2026 from 2.9% in July, matching forecasts. The unemployed population totaled 1.9 million. The unemployment rate was 3.1% among women and 2.9% among men. Regarding the duration of unemployment, 43.1% of the unemployed had been without work for one month or less, while 32.5% had been unemployed for more than one month and up to three months. By age group, the largest share of the unemployed was concentrated among people aged 25 to 44, at 47.8%, followed by those aged 15 to 24, at 33.4%. Among the unemployed, 13.6% had not completed secondary education, while 86.3% had attained a higher level of education.

Mexico’s unemployment rate stood at 2.9% in July 2026, unchanged from June and remaining at its highest level since September 2025, while falling short of expectations for an increase to 3%. The number of unemployed remained at 1.8 million. Unemployment edged up among women (3.1% vs 3%) but declined among men (2.7% vs 2.8%). Among the unemployed, 89.3% had higher levels of education, while 10.7% had not completed secondary education. By age, the largest share of unemployed people was among those aged 25–44 (46.9%), followed by the 15–24 group (33.8%). The employment rate remained unchanged at 91.7%, while the number of employed people edged up to 60.8 million. Employment was concentrated in commerce (19.6%), manufacturing (15.9%), agriculture (10.6%) and construction (8.7%). Meanwhile, the labor force declined to 62.6 million, while the activity rate edged up to 59.2%.