Mexico's unemployment rate was 2.8% of the economically active population (EAP) in September 2026, down from 3.0% a year earlier, according to the National Occupation and Employment Survey (ENOE) that [Inegi](https://www.inegi.org.mx/contenidos/saladeprensa/boletines/2026/iooe/IOE2026_10.pdf) published on Thursday, October 22. Seasonally adjusted, unemployment stood at 2.6%, a tenth of a point lower than in August.
The figure looks positive, but the same bulletin shows the drop is mainly because fewer people are in the labor market: the EAP fell by 359,000 people in a year and employment fell by 267,000. These are the numbers.
Unemployment in Mexico in September, in figures
| Indicator (ENOE, original figures) | September 2025 | September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate | 3.0% | 2.8% |
| Unemployed population | 1.85 million | 1.76 million (-92,000) |
| Economically active population (EAP) | 62.1 million | 61.7 million (-359,000) |
| Employed population | 60.2 million | 60.0 million (-267,000) |
| Labor force participation rate | 59.6% | 58.5% |
| Underemployment rate | 7.3% | 6.7% |
| Labor informality rate (TIL1) | 54.9% | 54.3% |
| Economically inactive population | 42.1 million | 43.9 million (+1.7 million) |
Source: ENOE bulletin 634/26, Inegi, published on October 22, 2026. The EFE news agency reported the same 2.8% figure (Infobae). Full tables are on the ENOE website.
Why unemployment fell in Mexico
A person counts as unemployed only if they did not work and actively looked for a job. If they stop looking, they leave the EAP and join the economically inactive population. That was the main factor in September: participation fell 1.1 points, from 59.6% to 58.5%, and the inactive population grew by 1.7 million people in a year.
The adjustment was uneven. Women's participation rose 0.1 points to 45.7%, and female employment grew by 578,000. Men's participation fell 2.4 points to 73.0%, and 845,000 fewer men had jobs than a year earlier (Inegi).
| By sex (September 2026) | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Participation rate | 45.7% (+0.1 pp) | 73.0% (-2.4 pp) |
| Employed population | 25.0 million (+578,000) | 35.0 million (-845,000) |
| Unemployment rate | 2.7% | 2.9% |
Where Mexico lost and gained jobs
| Sector | Annual change in employment |
|---|---|
| Agriculture, livestock, forestry, hunting and fishing | -199,000 |
| Retail and wholesale trade | -191,000 |
| Construction | -167,000 |
| Professional, financial and corporate services | +195,000 |
| Miscellaneous services | +136,000 |
Source: ENOE table 2, Inegi. By job status, salaried employees fell by 782,000, while the self-employed rose by 510,000. That shift toward self-employment fits with informality remaining above 54%: 32.6 million people.
Unemployment in Mexico month by month in 2026
| Month | Unemployment rate (original figures) |
|---|---|
| December 2025 | 2.4% |
| January 2026 | 2.7% |
| February 2026 | 2.6% |
| March 2026 | 2.4% |
| April 2026 | 2.5% |
| May 2026 | 2.8% |
| June 2026 | 2.9% |
| July 2026 | 2.9% |
| August 2026 | 3.0% |
| September 2026 | 2.8% |
Source: Inegi's monthly ENOE bulletins from December 2025 to September 2026 (for example, the August bulletin). Unemployment rose gradually in the first half and hit 3.0% in August, the highest level of the year. September's drop breaks that run, although, as shown above, because of lower participation rather than more jobs.
Seasonally adjusted unemployment in Mexico
| Seasonally adjusted rate (national) | September 2026 | Change vs. August |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment | 2.6% | -0.1 pp |
| Labor force participation | 58.4% | -0.8 pp |
| Underemployment | 6.4% | -0.4 pp |
| Labor informality | 54.3% | -0.7 pp |
Seasonally adjusted figures confirm the reading: unemployment falls, but participation falls faster. The data come as the economy grows slowly: Inegi's nowcast estimated 3.7% annual growth in activity in September (see Inegi's IOAE nowcast), and the Mexican peso posted six straight weekly losses.
Mexico still has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the region (see the Latin America unemployment ranking), partly because of the weight of informal work. For formal workers, the income benchmark is the 2026 minimum wage, and December brings the aguinaldo bonus. The next ENOE is due on November 26.
Frequently asked questions
What is Mexico's unemployment rate?
2.8% of the economically active population in September 2026, according to Inegi's ENOE. Seasonally adjusted, 2.6%.
How many people are unemployed in Mexico?
1.76 million in September 2026, 92,000 fewer than a year earlier.
Why did unemployment fall?
Mainly because fewer people are looking for work: the economically active population fell by 359,000 and participation dropped to 58.5%.
How large is informality in Mexico?
54.3% of workers, about 32.6 million people, in September 2026.
When is the next release?
Inegi will publish the October ENOE on November 26, 2026.
