Overview of the Domestic Workforce Changes in August 2025
In August 2025, the total number of people employed in paid domestic work dropped to 2,242,061, marking a significant decrease of 3.6% compared to July’s figure of 2,325,552, according to the National Employment and Occupation Survey (ENOE) by INEGI.
Key Figures and Trends
- A total of 83,491 people left the domestic workforce during this period.
- The decline was primarily due to men leaving domestic jobs, with 88,154 men exiting the sector.
- Despite this, there was a slight increase of 4,663 women entering domestic work.
Gender Distribution and Wage Information
The domestic workforce is predominantly female, with 93% of the workforce composed of women. The remaining 7% are men.
Gender disparities are also evident in the types of tasks performed. Women typically engage in house cleaning, organization, and care for children and the elderly. Meanwhile, men are more likely to be employed in security, gardening, private transportation, or home maintenance.
Wage and Security Concerns
Paid domestic work has historically been undervalued and precarious, with most workers—mainly women—lacking universal access to basic labor rights.
As of August, nearly 70% of domestic workers earn no more than the minimum wage: 8,364 pesos per month.
Despite legislation mandating the formalization of domestic workers, only 5% of this workforce has secured social security.
The lack of formal labor links results in unstable work hours and limited access to fundamental legal rights, such as paid vacations, year-end bonuses, maternity leave, or sick leaves.
Challenges and Recognition
Beyond labor rights, domestic workers face the challenge of gaining recognition for their crucial role in sustaining the economy through domestic and care work.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main reason for the decrease in the domestic workforce? The primary cause of this decline is men leaving domestic jobs, with over 88,000 men exiting the sector in August 2025.
- What percentage of domestic workers are women? Ninety-three percent of the domestic workforce consists of women.
- What is the minimum wage for domestic workers in August 2025? Approximately 70% of domestic workers earn no more than 8,364 pesos per month.
- What challenges do domestic workers face regarding labor rights? Domestic workers struggle to access basic labor rights, such as social security, stable work hours, and legal benefits like paid vacations and maternity leave.
