Mexico’s labor market at the close of May 2026 shows record-breaking figures for affiliation with the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), with 22.7 million registered jobs, the fifth highest figure on record and the highest ever for the month of May.
However, when looking at regional trends, Coahuila and Durango present contrasting realities that reflect the challenges and opportunities of the labor market in northern Mexico.
Nationally, formal employment experienced a monthly decline of 29,922 jobs, equivalent to -0.1%, attributed primarily to the seasonality of the agricultural sector and the cancellation of a fraudulent employer registration. Even so, year-to-date job creation has reached 201,605, of which more than 80% are permanent.
The average daily wage used for social security contributions reached 671.3 pesos, the highest for any May on record, representing a 6.6% year-over-year increase. Furthermore, the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) reports over one million active employer registrations and the enrollment of 1.5 million people in digital platform schemes, domestic work, and independent work, reflecting the diversification of insurance coverage options.
In this context, Coahuila registered a 1.9% year-over-year decrease in jobs, signifying a loss of momentum compared to the national average growth of 1.5%. This decline contrasts with the strength the state had shown in previous years, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing and construction, and poses a challenge to the recovery of formal employment in the state.
Durango, meanwhile, reported 3% year-over-year job growth, surpassing the national average and consolidating a positive trend in job creation. This progress is linked to the rebound in sectors such as transportation and communications, social and community services, and extractive activities, which have shown significant increases in the last year.
A comparison between the two states reveals a contrast: while Coahuila faces a slowdown that is impacting its labor market, Durango is managing to maintain a growth rate that places it in a more favorable position within the national context.
Source: elsiglodetorreon
