Jobs in the IMMEX program continue to decrease

The labor market in establishments covered by the IMMEX program—which encompasses the manufacturing, maquiladora, and export services sectors and is closely linked to international trade—continued to see job losses, but wages rose in the first two months of 2026, according to data from INEGI.

The number of employed workers in IMMEX-program establishments fell by 0.3% in the second month of the year compared to last January; while compared to February 2025, it declined by 2.6%, marking its fifth consecutive annual contraction.

INEGI specified—using raw data—that the total number of employed workers stood at 3,156,839 people, representing a 2.5% decline compared to February 2025.

In February 2026, there were 6,513 establishments registered in the IMMEX program; 5,217 were engaged in manufacturing activities, and 1,296 were involved in agriculture, fishing, trade, and services.

The average real wages paid—to personnel hired directly by the establishment—stood at US$1,253 per month in February 2026, representing a 2.4% increase year-over-year.