Mexico's unemployment rate increased to 2.8% in May 2026, marking the highest level in eight months, up from 2.5% in April. The number of unemployed individuals incresed by 200 thousand to 1.7 million, while employed persons declined by the same amount to 60.4 million. The economically active population remained unchanged at 62.1 million, with the labor force participation rate holding steady at 59.1%. Among employed workers, salaried workers kept the biggest share at 68.5%, followed by self-employed (22.3%), employers (5.9%) and unpaid family workers (3.4%). By sector, services accounted for 44.4%, followed by commerce (19.9%), manufacturing (16.2%), agriculture (10.0%) and construction (8.0%). The unemployement rate was higher for women (2.8%) than men (2.7%). 12% of unemployed individuals had not completed secondary education, while 88% had attained a higher level of education. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the unemployment rate edged up to 2.7% in May from 2.6% in April. source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI)

Unemployment Rate in Mexico increased to 2.80 percent in May from 2.50 percent in April of 2026. Unemployment Rate in Mexico averaged 3.65 percent from 1994 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 6.42 percent in September of 2009 and a record low of 2.20 percent in March of 2025. This page provides the latest reported value for - Mexico Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Mexico Unemployment Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in Mexico increased to 2.80 percent in May from 2.50 percent in April of 2026. Unemployment Rate in Mexico is expected to be 2.80 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Mexico Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 2.80 percent in 2027 and 3.00 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-05-28 12:00 PM
Unemployment Rate
Apr 2.5% 2.4% 2.7% 2.6%
2026-06-25 12:00 PM
Unemployment Rate
May 2.8% 2.5% 2.6% 2.7%
2026-07-24 12:00 PM
Unemployment Rate
Jun 2.8% 2.8%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 59552660.00 59785854.00 Mar 2026
Employment Rate 97.20 97.50 percent May 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 59.10 59.10 percent May 2026
Labour Costs 171.50 161.20 points Apr 2026
Productivity 96.60 96.60 points Apr 2026
Unemployed Persons 1560697.00 1562348.00 Mar 2026
Unemployment Rate 2.80 2.50 percent May 2026
Wages in Manufacturing 5.00 4.90 USD/Hour Apr 2026


Mexico Unemployment Rate
In Mexico, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
2.80 2.50 6.42 2.20 1994 - 2026 percent Monthly
NSA

News Stream
Mexico Unemployment Rate Rises to 8-Month High
Mexico's unemployment rate increased to 2.8% in May 2026, marking the highest level in eight months, up from 2.5% in April. The number of unemployed individuals incresed by 200 thousand to 1.7 million, while employed persons declined by the same amount to 60.4 million. The economically active population remained unchanged at 62.1 million, with the labor force participation rate holding steady at 59.1%. Among employed workers, salaried workers kept the biggest share at 68.5%, followed by self-employed (22.3%), employers (5.9%) and unpaid family workers (3.4%). By sector, services accounted for 44.4%, followed by commerce (19.9%), manufacturing (16.2%), agriculture (10.0%) and construction (8.0%). The unemployement rate was higher for women (2.8%) than men (2.7%). 12% of unemployed individuals had not completed secondary education, while 88% had attained a higher level of education. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the unemployment rate edged up to 2.7% in May from 2.6% in April.
2026-06-25
Mexico Jobless Rate Lower than Expected at 2.5%
Mexico's unemployment rate came in at 2.5% in April 2026, matching the level seen a year earlier and below the expected 2.7%. The number of unemployed individuals decreased by 135 thousand to 1.5 million, while the number of employed grew by 704 thousand to 60.6 million. The economically active population climbed by 873 thousand to 42.9 million, leading to a participation rate of 59.1%. Of those employed, 41.6 million (68.6%) were salaried workers, while 13.4 million (22.1%) were self-employed. By sector, services employed 26.8 million people (44.2%), followed by trade with 11.7 million (19.3%), manufacturing with 10 million (16.4%), agriculture with 6.1 million (10.1%), and construction with 5.2 million (8.6%). Among the unemployed, 10.9% had not completed secondary education, compared with 89.1% with higher education. Most were aged 25 to 44 (45.1%), followed by ages 15 to 24 (34.3%). On a seasonally adjusted basis, the unemployment rate fell to 2.6% from 2.8% in the prior month
2026-05-28
Mexico Jobless Rate Rises But Less than Forecast
Mexico's unemployment rate rose to 2.4% in March 2026 from 2.2% in the same month a year ago, slightly below market forecasts of 2.5%. The number of unemployed individuals increased by 136 thousand to 1.5 million, while the number of employed advanced by 422 thousand to 60.2 million. The economically active population rose by 558 thousand to 61.6 million, which resulted in a participation rate of 58.6%. Among the unemployed, 10% had not completed secondary education, while 88.9% held higher education. Most were aged 25 to 44 (49.9%), followed by ages 15 to 24 (32.5%). Seasonally adjusted, the unemployment rate edged up to 2.8% from 2.7% in the prior month.
2026-04-24