Photo: Jujutacular derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Mexico: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Mexico is placed 67th of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 59.96 (2025); Labour Income Share 37.98 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
67th
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Mexico on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
59.96
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Mexico: 59.96. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Central America
- 62.74 Nicaragua
- Land neighbours
- Belize 53.87 · Guatemala 58.07 · United States 59.11
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
2.673
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Mexico: 2.673. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Central America
- 2.604 Guatemala
- Land neighbours
- Belize 8.856 · Guatemala 2.604 · United States 4.198
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
25.31
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Mexico: 25.31. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Central America
- 23.36 Costa Rica
- Land neighbours
- Belize 29.84 · Guatemala 36.16 · United States 3.81
02Over time
Which way Mexico is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
MexicoWorld median
Mexico rose from 57.99 in 2000 to 59.96 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Mexico World median 2025 59.962 57.720 2024 59.985 57.694 2023 60.036 58.158 2022 58.961 57.688 2021 57.517 56.066 2020 53.921 55.691 2019 58.995 57.871 2018 58.450 56.911 2017 58.150 56.738 2016 58.099 56.845 2015 57.941 56.788 2014 57.561 56.774 2013 58.029 56.229 2012 58.226 56.289 2011 57.394 56.297 2010 57.189 56.212 2009 57.313 56.255 2008 58.289 57.308 2007 58.711 56.933 2006 58.704 56.685 2005 57.981 56.129 2004 57.038 55.465 2003 56.783 55.630 2002 56.701 55.843 2001 57.388 56.018 2000 57.994 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
MexicoWorld median
Mexico rose from 34.92 in 2004 to 37.98 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Mexico World median 2025 37.985 46.230 2024 37.778 46.060 2023 36.412 45.900 2022 35.459 45.615 2021 34.484 45.433 2020 33.828 47.267 2019 32.184 46.277 2018 31.335 46.187 2017 31.094 46.467 2016 31.624 46.798 2015 32.388 46.876 2014 32.513 47.281 2013 33.129 46.887 2012 32.168 46.231 2011 32.583 45.679 2010 33.009 46.024 2009 34.583 47.071 2008 33.082 45.312 2007 33.136 45.246 2006 33.462 45.670 2005 34.577 46.265 2004 34.918 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
MexicoWorld median
Mexico rose from 2.646 in 2000 to 2.673 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Mexico World median 2025 2.67 5.08 2024 2.68 5.15 2023 2.77 5.21 2022 3.26 5.34 2021 4.02 6.04 2020 4.44 6.38 2019 3.48 5.36 2018 3.28 5.35 2017 3.42 5.59 2016 3.85 5.90 2015 4.31 6.41 2014 4.82 6.58 2013 4.92 6.71 2012 4.89 6.79 2011 5.18 6.90 2010 5.30 7.04 2009 5.36 6.67 2008 3.87 5.79 2007 3.63 6.00 2006 3.57 6.50 2005 3.56 7.09 2004 3.94 6.80 2003 3.46 6.95 2002 3.00 6.91 2001 2.63 6.96 2000 2.65 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
MexicoWorld median
Mexico fell from 28.66 in 2000 to 25.31 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Mexico World median 2025 25.310 28.67 2024 25.318 29.04 2023 26.110 29.33 2022 26.712 29.67 2021 26.916 30.01 2020 25.606 30.54 2019 25.292 29.98 2018 24.952 30.15 2017 25.011 29.93 2016 25.368 29.91 2015 25.873 30.26 2014 26.129 30.47 2013 26.615 31.14 2012 26.592 31.00 2011 27.038 31.41 2010 27.132 32.37 2009 28.110 32.59 2008 27.129 31.76 2007 27.626 33.47 2006 27.639 34.27 2005 28.699 34.66 2004 28.729 35.51 2003 29.162 35.90 2002 28.929 35.96 2001 28.921 35.27 2000 28.656 35.67
03In context
Mexico beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Mexico and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 United Statescompare | 14th | 59.11 | 55.81 | 4.198 | 3.81 |
| Mexico | 67th | 59.96 | 37.98 | 2.673 | 25.31 |
 Guatemala | =72nd | 58.07 | 43.85 | 2.604 | 36.16 |
 Belize | =134th | 53.87 | 46.19 | 8.856 | 29.84 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Central America
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Mexico in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Mexico is ahead of the world, and behind
31 more statistics filed under work & labour, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median10
Statistics on which Mexico does better than the middle country measured.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.835.71412.83▲ Improved since 2015
Mexico: 5.714 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 152nd of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8121.5241.81No earlier reading
Mexico: 21.52 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 148th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 08.30No earlier reading
Mexico: 8.3 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0737.8332.07No earlier reading
Mexico: 37.83 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 373▼ Worsened since 2015
Mexico: 7 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.8851.6154.885▲ Improved since 2015
Mexico: 1.615 · world median 4.885 · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.007 to 86.02; lower is better.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,23044,73225,230No real change since 2010
Mexico: 44,732 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 62nd of 151 · derived.
Female Share of Senior and Middle ManagementILO · 2024 · world median 35.8637.2835.86▼ Worsened since 2014
Mexico: 37.28 · world median 35.86 · Women in senior and middle management (% of managers). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.226 to 56.69; higher is better.
Position 38th of 86 · derived.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,38448,14147,384▼ Worsened since 2015
Mexico: 48,141 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 80th of 168 · derived.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.1622.7122.16▼ Worsened since 2015
Mexico: 22.71 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 89th of 182 · derived.
Behind the world median12
Statistics on which Mexico does worse than the middle country measured.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6661.6161.66▲ Improved since 2015
Mexico: 61.61 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 92nd of 182 · derived.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,7426,4906,742No real change since 2015
Mexico: 6,490 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 79th of 151 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.941.745.9No earlier reading
Mexico: 41.7 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Youth Not in Education, Employment or TrainingILO · 2024 · world median 14.3115.8814.31▲ Improved since 2014
Mexico: 15.88 · world median 14.31 · Youth not in education, employment or training (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.975 to 65.73; lower is better.
Position 42nd of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6812.416.68No earlier reading
Mexico: 12.4 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 88th of 139 · derived.
Low Pay RateILO · 2024 · world median 17.8921.6617.89▼ Worsened since 2014
Mexico: 21.66 · world median 17.89 · Employees paid less than two-thirds of the median hourly earnings (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.395 to 41.69; lower is better.
Position 26th of 71 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1615.6519.16No earlier reading
Mexico: 15.65 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 116th of 179 · derived.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3647.4553.36▲ Improved since 2015
Mexico: 47.45 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 127th of 182 · derived.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.613.21.61▲ Improved since 2015
Mexico: 3.2 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 988498▼ Worsened since 2015
Mexico: 84 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
Average Monthly Earnings of EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 1,636914.561,636▲ Improved since 2014
Mexico: 914.56 · world median 1,636 · Average monthly earnings of employees (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 193.28 to 9,307; higher is better.
Position 59th of 75 · derived.
Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed PersonsILO · 2024 · world median 0.5750.140.575No earlier reading
Mexico: 0.14 · world median 0.575 · Labour inspectors per 10,000 employed persons. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 3.89; higher is better.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Gini Index of Monthly EarningsILO · 2024 · world median 0.3370.3370.337▼ Worsened since 2014
Mexico: 0.337 · world median 0.337 · Gini index of employees’ monthly earnings (0 = all paid the same, 1 = maximum inequality). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.182 to 0.643; lower is better.
Position 38th of 75 · derived, 1st = worst.
No better end8
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8824.5218.88Moved since 2015
Mexico: 24.52 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 47th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8941.0738.89Moved since 2015
Mexico: 41.07 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 67th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5164.0859.51No real change since 2015
Mexico: 64.08 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 82nd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8430.8531.84Moved since 2015
Mexico: 30.85 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 95th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.0113.6715.01No earlier reading
Mexico: 13.67 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 71st of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.95598.74657.95Moved since 2014
Mexico: 598.74 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.3811.414.38No real change since 2015
Mexico: 11.4 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 101st of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Share of Temporary EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 13.458.18213.45Moved since 2014
Mexico: 8.182 · world median 13.45 · Employees on temporary contracts (% of employees). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.337 to 72.78.
No current reading for Mexico
Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries (last 2021) and Informal Employment Rate. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Work & Labour among Mexico’s 15 topics
Work & Labour is Mexico’s 6th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Education & Knowledge24th of 1983/4 keys
- Mobility & Tradejoint 55th of 1774/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 61st of 1844/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation59th of 1764/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital72nd of 1963/3 keys
- Work & Labour67th of 1824/4 keys
- Digital & Technology74th of 1984/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeingjoint 83rd of 2004/4 keys
- Gender & Equality89th of 1834/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 101st of 1944/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality97th of 1593/3 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties126th of 1984/4 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 117th of 1774/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience142nd of 1934/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability148th of 1864/4 keys
No standing on Energy: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Mexico can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Americas
United States14th4/4 keysHighest in Central America
El Salvador50th4/4 keysThis page
Mexico67th4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Mexico and work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Mexico on work & labour: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Mexico rank on work & labour?
Mexico is placed 67th of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Mexico?
59.96 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Mexico?
37.98 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Mexico compare with United States on work & labour?
United States is placed 14th of 182, and Mexico 67th. Employment-to-Population Ratio: United States 59.11, Mexico 59.96; Labour Income Share: United States 55.81, Mexico 37.98; Unemployment Rate: United States 4.198, Mexico 2.673; Vulnerable Employment: United States 3.81, Mexico 25.31.
How have Mexico’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio rose from 57.99 in 2000 to 59.96 in 2025; Labour Income Share rose from 34.92 in 2004 to 37.98 in 2025; Unemployment Rate rose from 2.646 in 2000 to 2.673 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 28.66 in 2000 to 25.31 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Mexico?
No current reading is published for Mexico on Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries and Informal Employment Rate. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 31 statistics on this page come from 2 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Mexico’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Mexico (banner) — Jujutacular derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Mexico: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/mexico/work