Chihuahua ranked as the seventh state in the country with the best labor quality, obtaining 74.2 points in the State Employment Quality and Competitiveness Index (ICCOE) for the second quarter of 2026, placing it within the medium-high level of the national classification.
The report published by the Private Sector Competitive Intelligence Platform (PICsp), with data shared by El Economista, shows the labor conditions of the 32 states and establishes a ranking aimed at comparing the performance of local governments in terms of employment quality and competitiveness.
According to the measurement, Querétaro led the national classification with 82.4 points, followed by Nuevo León with 82.0, and Jalisco with 81.3. Colima ranked fourth with 80.5 points.
These four states were the only ones to reach the high level of labor quality, while Chihuahua, with 74.2 points, was part of the group of states with a medium-high level.
The result places Chihuahua above most of the states in the country and particularly reflects its favorable performance in terms of labor formalization, one of the relevant components of the index.
Among the eight indicators that make up the ICCOE, the state stands out for registering low levels of informality. Chihuahua ranks second nationally for having the lowest level of labor informality, meaning it is among the states where a smaller proportion of workers are employed under informal conditions.
Likewise, Chihuahua ranks first nationally for having the lowest level of employment in the informal sector, another indicator contributing to its position in the ranking.
In addition, the state ranks third nationally in the proportion of salaried workers, an indicator that reflects a significant presence of paid employment relationships under dependent employment arrangements.
In contrast, the bottom of the ranking is made up of states with considerably lower scores. Campeche ranked 30th with 24.6 points; Tlaxcala ranked 31st with 22.7, while Tabasco closed the national classification with only 20.3 points.
The difference between Chihuahua and the states with the lowest results highlights a significant gap in employment conditions among the states of the country.
Chihuahua’s performance is particularly relevant because of the importance of formal employment within its economic structure and the presence of sectors such as manufacturing, commerce, and services, which account for a significant portion of the workforce.
Thus, with 74.2 points, Chihuahua remains among the states with the best labor quality conditions in the country, driven mainly by its low levels of informality, the reduced participation of the informal sector, and a high proportion of salaried workers.
Source: oem
