In January, Mexico experienced a significant drop in formal employment, losing 8,104 jobs according to the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS). This decline has not been observed in January since 2009, a year marked by the financial crisis triggered by Lehman Brothers. The IMSS attributed this downturn primarily to an adjustment related to digital platforms, which had seen a temporary increase in job numbers in December due to seasonal effects, but reverted in January as demand for these services decreased.

The current count of affiliated workers stands at 22,508,972, representing the lowest level in five months, although this figure reflects a year-on-year growth of 0.9 percent—a slowdown from the 1.3 percent growth recorded the previous month. Carlos Ramírez, a consulting partner at Integralia, commented on the starkness of the January results, indicating a potential underlying issue in job stability and economic resilience in the wake of adjustments following the pandemic and changing employment sectors.

These employment figures are concerning as they herald the potential impacts of economic shifts and the altered landscape shaped by digital platforms in labor markets. The decrease in formal jobs could signify harder times for job seekers and signal a need for policy reassessment to navigate the evolving employment dynamics, especially in a post-pandemic economy that continues to face numerous challenges.