The unemployment rate in Mexico reached 3% in August, which represents an increase of one-tenth and the highest level since September 2025, according to figures published this Friday by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi).
In the eighth month of 2026, the economic participation rate stood at 59.3%, one-tenth above that recorded in July, while the number of unemployed people increased by 70,653 to total 1,884,084 unemployed. At the same time, the informality rate decreased by one point and two tenths, to 55%.
The economically active population reached 62,579,105 people, that is, 8,869 more, although the total number of employed decreased by 61,784 and stood at 60,695,021 workers.
By sectors of activity, the employed were mainly concentrated in services, with 27.8 million (45.9%); commerce, with 11.6 million (19.1%); industry, with 9.7 million (16%); the primary sector, with 6 million (9.9%); construction, with 4.8 million (7.9%); and other economic activities such as mining, electricity, or water and gas supply, with 341,000 people (0.6%). A total of 409,000 workers (0.7%) did not specify their sector.
The segments that most increased their workforce since August 2025 were diverse services, with 790,000 additional jobs; restaurants and accommodation services, with 538,000 more; and professional, financial, and corporate services, with 247,000 new positions.
On the contrary, agriculture, livestock, forestry, hunting, and fishing cut 290,000 jobs; the manufacturing industry lost 263,000; and commerce reduced its workforce by 161,000 workers.