Impact of international migration on informality in Mexico
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29105/trendinomics.v2i2.20Keywords:
International migration, Informal labor, Informal sector, Labor market, MéxicoAbstract
This research evaluates the impact of international emigration on informal employment in Mexico, using data from the National Survey of Occupation and Employment (ENOE) for the period 2021–2024. Using probit estimations with state and period effects, the study identifies heterogeneous impacts of state-level emigration on informality. In general, emigration does not significantly modify informality or employment in informal jobs in unregistered businesses, but it does impact specific groups. It increases informality among men under 30 years of age or with higher levels of education and reduces it among women between 30 and 49 years of age, as well as among women and men with only a primary education. Employment in unregistered businesses also shows heterogeneous effects. Based on these findings, the country needs public policies focused on support formal employment among the affected groups in regions with high migration.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Jaime Lara Lara, Sophia Juliette Arsenault , María del Carmen Olivas Noriega, Aranza Quijano Gómez, Natalia Téllez Salinas, Vania Irell Vigoritto Benítez

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