Share of workers in informal employment in Mexico
Mexico: Share of workers in informal employment was 56.3% in 2023. ▼ Falling
Share of workers in informal employment in Mexico, 2002–2023
Source: International Labour Organization – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of workers in informal employment in Mexico is 56.3%, measured in 2023.
The figure is down 0.5% on the previous year and down 5.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of workers in informal employment in Mexico peaked at 66.2% in 2003 and was at its lowest, 55.7%, in 2020.
Mexico ranks 26th of 80 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 19 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 63.4% | 58.8% | 66.2% | 5 |
| 2010s | 58.9% | 57.6% | 60.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 56.4% | 55.7% | 57.1% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Mexico
More work & labour data for Mexico
- Legislation on sexual harassment in employment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Criminal sanctions or compensation for workplace sexual harassment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Women can take the same jobs as men 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 61.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 77.1% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 61.5% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 47.5% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15-6 66.3% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 81.8% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 51.9% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of workers in informal employment in Mexico?
- Share of workers in informal employment in Mexico was 56.3% in 2023, according to International Labour Organization – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of workers in informal employment recorded in Mexico?
- The highest recorded value was 66.2% in 2003.
- What is the lowest share of workers in informal employment recorded in Mexico?
- The lowest recorded value was 55.7% in 2020.
- How does Mexico rank for share of workers in informal employment?
- Mexico ranks 26th out of 80 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share of workers in informal employment rising or falling in Mexico?
- Over the last ten years it is down 5.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Mexico data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of workers in informal employment. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of employed people working in jobs that lack basic social or legal protection and employment benefits. Does not include illegal and illicit activities. Figures refer to national estimates and may not be fully comparable across countries.