The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) reported its worst January in worker affiliation in the past decade, with a loss of over 8,000 jobs due to seasonal adjustments in digital platform employment.
The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) revealed concerning statistics regarding employment in January 2026, marking the worst month for labor affiliations in a decade. According to their monthly report, the institute noted a decrease of 8,104 jobs, reflecting a decline of 0.04% in its monthly employment rate. This downturn aligns with significant adjustments seen in the employment tied to digital platforms, which have been a growing trend in recent years.
One major factor contributing to this decline was the impact of seasonal effects observed in December, which had temporarily inflated job numbers. Following this period, January 2026 witnessed a return to normalcy, leading to a reduction in employment to 139,000 jobs as demand for services offered by digital platforms waned. The adjustments illustrate the volatile nature of jobs created through these new technological mediums, highlighting the dependency on fluctuating consumer demand.
As of January 31, 2026, the IMSS reported a total of 22,508,972 registered jobs within the social security system. Notably, a significant majority of these positions—86.9%—are permanent, while 13.1% are considered temporary. This data emphasizes the ongoing challenges facing the labor market in Mexico, particularly as it adapts to the dynamic and often unstable nature of digital employment in the wake of broader economic shifts.
