President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo announced a 13 percent increase to Mexico’s general minimum wage starting January 1, 2026, benefiting 8.5 million workers. With this adjustment, the daily wage will rise to 315.04 pesos, equivalent to 9,582.47 pesos per month nationwide, while in the Northern Border Free Zone it will reach 440.87 pesos per day, or 13,409.80 pesos per month.
Speaking at her morning press conference, the president emphasized that the increase was the result of a unanimous agreement between the business sector and organized labor. She added that the measure will not have negative effects on inflation and reinforces the federal government’s commitment to social justice. She also reported another consensus-based agreement: the gradual implementation of a 40-hour workweek.
Sheinbaum noted that from 2018 to 2026, the minimum wage in Mexico has accumulated a 154 percent increase in terms of purchasing power. She said this progress now allows workers to afford up to two basic consumption baskets, and up to 2.8 in the northern border region, representing a significant improvement in living conditions for the most vulnerable population.
Labor and Social Welfare Secretary Marath Baruch Bolaños López explained that this sustained rise in purchasing power reflects the positive impact of the Fourth Transformation’s labor policies. He added that the increase strengthens the well-being of millions of families and improves access to essential goods.
Francisco Cervantes Díaz, president of the Business Coordinating Council (CCE), acknowledged the private sector’s willingness to participate in agreements that benefit the most disadvantaged groups. He stated that permanent dialogue among government, workers, and employers has been key to achieving these advances without compromising the country’s economic stability.
