Mexico’s Formal Employment Reaches Historic High of 23.08 Million Jobs

ByFernanda Monroy

This article by Fernanda Monroy originally appeared in the November 9, 2026 edition of Contralínea, a Mexican investigative journalism magazine.

At the close of October 2026, Mexico reached a historic high of 23,088,353 jobs registered with the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), of which 20,043,824 are permanent, the highest figure for any month since records began, the agency reported.

In its affiliation report for October 31, the IMSS detailed that 161,077 jobs were created during that month, a monthly growth of 0.7 percent. With this, formal job creation accumulated so far this year reached 571,277 positions.

Of the total jobs registered, 86.8 percent are permanent positions and 13.2 percent are temporary. In the last 12 months, affiliation grew by 299,180 jobs, equivalent to an annual change of 1.3 percent.

By economic sector, the largest annual increases were recorded in transportation and communications, with 6.7 percent; extractive activities, with 5.5 percent; and construction, with 3.4 percent. By state, Chiapas, Oaxaca and Hidalgo stood out with growth above 4.5 percent.

The average base contribution wage of jobs registered with the IMSS reached 664.7 pesos per day in October, the highest level for that month and the sixth highest recorded for any month. Compared with October 2025, the wage increased by 42.7 nominal pesos, one of the largest increases for that month since records began.

Regarding employment on digital platforms, the IMSS counted 1,748,740 people benefiting from the reform that regulates this type of work. Of that total, 229,249 exceeded the monthly net income threshold and were registered as jobs by 18 digital platforms, which allows them to access the institute’s five insurance programs.

During October, affiliation under this modality increased by 21,862 jobs. In the last 12 months, growth was 79,126 jobs, equivalent to 52.7 percent. The associated average daily wage stood at 420.3 pesos.

People who did not reach the monthly net income threshold keep occupational risk insurance coverage, which includes medical care and economic benefits in case of work-related accidents or illnesses, under the conditions set out in the reform.

The report also recorded 58,931 jobs associated with domestic workers, with an average daily wage of 518.7 pesos and 96,588 potential beneficiaries.

As for independent workers, the IMSS counted 485,727 jobs, with an average daily wage of 369.3 pesos. This scheme allows access to the institute’s five insurance programs and extends coverage to legal beneficiaries.

As of October 31, the IMSS had 1,008,887 employer registrations, a monthly increase of 127 registrations, equivalent to 0.01 percent. However, the annual comparison showed a decrease of 2.9 percent.

The agency clarified that employer registrations are administrative units used to identify and track employers’ obligations, so they are not directly equivalent to the number of companies or businesses. Their reduction does not necessarily imply closures, as it can also reflect data cleanup, validation and updating processes.

In addition, at the close of October, 8,402,835 people were enrolled in Optional Insurance (Seguro Facultativo); 138,467 in Family Health Insurance; and 263,802 in the Voluntary Continuation of the Mandatory Regime scheme.