Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Mexico
Mexico: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) was 2.5% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Mexico, 1988–2025
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Mexico is 2.5%, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 2.8% on the previous year and down 41.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Mexico peaked at 5.4% in 2009 and was at its lowest, 2.5%, in 1988.
Mexico ranks 159th of 187 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Mexico, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 2.5% | — |
| 2001 | 2.8% | +9.9% |
| 2002 | 3.0% | +8.9% |
| 2003 | 3.5% | +15.1% |
| 2004 | 3.9% | +14.0% |
| 2005 | 3.6% | -9.6% |
| 2006 | 3.6% | +0.2% |
| 2007 | 3.6% | +1.7% |
| 2008 | 3.9% | +6.8% |
| 2009 | 5.4% | +38.3% |
| 2010 | 5.3% | -1.0% |
| 2011 | 5.2% | -2.4% |
| 2012 | 4.9% | -5.5% |
| 2013 | 4.9% | +0.6% |
| 2014 | 4.8% | -2.1% |
| 2015 | 4.3% | -10.5% |
| 2016 | 3.9% | -10.6% |
| 2017 | 3.4% | -11.3% |
| 2018 | 3.3% | -4.2% |
| 2019 | 3.5% | +6.2% |
| 2020 | 4.4% | +25.9% |
| 2021 | 3.9% | -10.0% |
| 2022 | 3.2% | -19.5% |
| 2023 | 2.7% | -14.8% |
| 2024 | 2.6% | -3.3% |
| 2025 | 2.5% | -2.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 2.5% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 1 |
| 2000s | 3.7% | 2.8% | 5.4% | 9 |
| 2010s | 4.3% | 3.3% | 5.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.2% | 2.5% | 4.4% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Mexico
- 156 Papua New Guinea 2.7% compare
- 157 Isle of Man 2.7% compare
- 158 Seychelles 2.6% compare
- 159 Macau, China 2.5% compare
- 161 Japan 2.5% compare
- 162 Tanzania, United Republic of 2.4% compare
More work & labour data for Mexico
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.5786 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.5539 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.6038 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.41 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.5363 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 144,910 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 19,369 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 65,616 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 64,633 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 130,249 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Mexico?
- Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Mexico was 2.5% in 2025, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Mexico?
- The highest recorded value was 5.4% in 2009.
- What is the lowest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Mexico?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.5% in 1988.
- How does Mexico rank for unemployment, total (% of total labor force)?
- Mexico ranks 159th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) rising or falling in Mexico?
- Over the last ten years it is down 41.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Mexico data come from?
- The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.