However, behind the figures also persists labor precariousness and greater informality. This Monday, the Mexican government celebrated a total of 157,882 new jobs with the IMSS, not considering jobs through platforms. At the start of 2025, the labor market remains stable: the unemployment rate stayed at a minimum of 2.7% and in February the formal employment data resulted in a historic record for that month. "It is the highest figure on record for a February and the fifth highest monthly figure for any month," said Zoé Robledo at this morning's morning press conference. Previously, Inegi reported that the unemployment rate was at 2.7%, a level similar to that of January 2025, and the labor participation rate was 58.5%; while 32.7 million people were in informality, representing 54.9% of the population, exceeding the 54.1% recorded in January last year. Economic stagnation dominates the start of the year and Ebrard gains ground for the future of USMCA. From the Palace, the government celebrates the advance in job registration, but in a broader reading, specialists warn of a marked cooling in the persistence of informality and labor precariousness. "More evidence will have to be awaited to better understand the behavior of employment in the country," they indicated. "While unemployment remains at historically low levels, the reduction in the participation rate and the slight rebound in informality suggest a less favorable environment; while the underemployed population continues to reflect pressures on job quality," stated Janeth Quiroz, of Monex, in an analysis. From CEESP - an analysis center that collaborates with CCE - they warned as a concern that the largest increase in the employed population is concentrated in the lowest salary ranges. "Despite the increase in the minimum wage, it may be a sign of greater precariousness, especially when the group of higher-wage workers is reduced," they said. And it is that according to Inegi data, the total number of employed with incomes of up to one minimum wage increased by 4.8 million people, while the accumulated universe of those earning above one minimum wage was reduced by 4.1 million people. Informality, behind the historic lows in the 2025 unemployment rate. This precariousness, warns CEESP, is also observed in the strategic indicators of occupation and employment, as the rate was 38.3%, which means there are 22.9 million people who are "working less than 35 hours a week for market reasons, plus those who work more than 35 hours weekly with monthly incomes below the minimum wage and those who work more than 48 hours weekly earning up to two minimum wages." Another topic that this study center analyzes is that the non-economically active population, especially the unavailable, has increased significantly in the first month of the year. "Some hypotheses indicate that it could be due to social programs, which could be discouraging job search."
