Chihuahua Leads in Export Manufacturing Jobs
Chihuahua has played a strategic role in Mexico's export manufacturing sector, accounting for 365,517 workers enrolled in the Manufacturing, Maquiladora, and Export Services Program (INMEX), which means that 1 in every 8 jobs nationwide is in this sector.
According to the INMEX Report for August 2026, in May, of the 2.8 million workers nationwide, approximately 13% were located in Chihuahua, making the state, one of the main labor hubs in global manufacturing chains.
The strength of the sector in Chihuahua is particularly significant, as the manufacturing industry plays a major role in the state’s economic structure. The fact that companies are integrated into international supply chains makes the state a strategic hub for exports, primarily to the United States.
In Chihuahua City, the workforce in the export manufacturing industry has remained stable, with a slight increase in the number of jobs, while the national landscape has seen sector-wide adjustments.
The city’s industrial profile has developed thanks to the presence of highly specialized, value-added activities, such as the aerospace, electronics, and manufacturing sectors.
Consequently, with 365,517 INMEX jobs, Chihuahua maintains a significant share of the nation’s export manufacturing sector and confirms the importance of its industry within global production chains, primarily due to the scale of operations and the level of specialization required by most of these activities.
