Nuevo León vs. Hidalgo: A Tale of Two States
While some state governments bet on innovation, investment, quality education, cutting-edge technology, and inclusion to ensure the attraction of investments, companies, and quality job generation, others opt to invest public funds in infrastructure for installing bureaucrats and state officials or in public works that do not address the priority needs of the majority of citizens.
Nuevo León: A Model for Economic Success
The state of Nuevo León, whose economic model is a reference not only for Mexico but also for the world, leads in formal job creation, education, and company creation, reflecting a robust and expanding economy that directly impacts the quality of life of its inhabitants.
Nuevo León’s economic policy, driven by its government, focuses on innovation, talent, and sustainable development. This approach has allowed it to surpass Mexico City in average household income and attract over USD 90 billion in foreign investment, with 396 confirmed projects—half of which are new investments and the other half expansions by companies betting on this federal entity.
Nuevo León now ranks third in competitiveness among Mexico’s 32 federal entities, according to the Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO)’s State Competitiveness Index 2025. Moreover, it registered a 5% economic growth rate in 2025, five times the national average.
Nuevo León’s industrial, educational, and infrastructure development, led by its government, positions it as Latin America’s economic leader. Its sustainable development ensures continued attraction of companies and quality job generation. Additionally, it prepares for the global challenge that Monterrey, its capital city, being one of three host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Hidalgo’s Investment Focus: A Different Path
Regrettably, Pachuca, Hidalgo—the birthplace of football—was not considered by FIFA to host a World Cup venue for the upcoming tournament. The disparity between Nuevo León’s and Hidalgo’s development is stark.
While Nuevo León’s government invests in innovation, quality education, advanced technology, and inclusion, Hidalgo’s public investment has been channeled into works that do not economically or socially benefit its citizens, such as the remodeling of Parque David Ben Gurión, the state government building, Plaza Juárez, and the remodeling and rehabilitation of San Francisco Pachuca Fairgrounds.
Moreover, the construction of the Centro Administrativo y Servicios para el Pueblo (CASP) will house state government officials and cause severe traffic congestion during protests or office takeovers, as it is located on a major capital avenue.
The Hidalgo government reported investing over 45% of the state budget in education. In the past three years, it has provided support worth MXN 680 million in: free school supplies and textbooks, 6,700 scholarships, improvement of 352 schools (including 56 telebachillerato and telesecundaria facilities with internet service), delivery of 3,887 electronic tablets, and construction of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) laboratories.
Though commendable, Hidalgo’s investment focus has not prioritized innovation, quality education, advanced technology, and inclusion like Nuevo León’s government. Nonetheless, the Hidalgo administration believes these actions pave the way for making Hidalgo a powerhouse.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the economic model of Nuevo León? Nuevo León’s economic model, focusing on innovation, talent, and sustainable development, has made it a reference for Mexico and the world.
- How does Nuevo León compare to Hidalgo in terms of competitiveness and economic growth? Nuevo León ranks third in competitiveness among Mexico’s 32 federal entities and experienced a 5% economic growth rate in 2025, five times the national average.
- What investments has Hidalgo made in education? Hidalgo invested over 45% of its state budget in education, providing support worth MXN 680 million for school supplies, scholarships, school improvements, electronic tablets, and STEM laboratories.
- Why was Pachuca, Hidalgo, not chosen as a World Cup venue? Pachuca, Hidalgo—football’s birthplace—was not selected by FIFA for the 2026 World Cup venue, highlighting the development disparity between Nuevo León and Hidalgo.
