Unemployment rises in 16 states

MEXICO CITY (El Universal).— The unemployment rate in Mexico stood at 2.93% of the economically active population in August, the highest level in the last 12 months, according to figures released by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI).

An increase in unemployment was reported in 16 of the 32 states. Puebla registered the largest increase, rising from 2.05% in July to 3.67% in August, an increase of 1.62 percentage points.

Other states with significant increases were San Luis Potosí, with 1.25 percentage points; Chihuahua, 1.08; State of Mexico, 1.07; Hidalgo, 0.96; Campeche, 0.97; and Mexico City, with 0.72 points more during the reference period.

In absolute terms, the number of unemployed rose to 1,797,000. Of these, Puebla, the State of Mexico, Mexico City, Tabasco, and Coahuila accounted for nearly 46% of the total, equivalent to 824,000 workers.

Tabasco topped the list of states with the highest unemployment rate, with 4.52%, followed by Coahuila with 4.33%. Mexico City and the State of Mexico both reported 3.99%, while Puebla reached 3.67%, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI).

Unemployment was more severe among women, whose rate was 3.02%, higher than the 2.82% recorded among men. In total, men were unemployed, compared to 774,000 women.

According to the agency, if the number of people who did not seek employment during the reference week but were available for work is included, the expanded unemployment rate would reach 11.0%, the highest figure since August of last year.

"The unemployment rate is rising while labor force participation is falling, reflecting weakness in the labor market and slower economic growth," warned Janneth Quiroz, director of economic analysis at Monex, who highlighted the impact on key sectors such as agriculture, construction, and professional services.

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