Background on Querétaro’s Economic Landscape
Querétaro, Mexico – In 2025, the state of Querétaro saw the creation of only 4,965 jobs, marking the lowest level of formal employment generation since the pandemic. This figure is notably lower than the average of over 30,000 jobs created annually from 2019 to 2023. The state’s economic performance in 2025 was influenced by uncertainties surrounding US tariffs and reduced economic activity.
Historical Context and Comparison
- Pre-Pandemic Performance: In 2019, Querétaro created 31,061 jobs. However, the subsequent year, 2020, saw a negative balance of -12,423 jobs due to the pandemic’s early impacts.
- Post-Pandemic Recovery: From 2021 to 2023, the state saw a gradual recovery, with job creation figures ranging from 33,180 to 32,673 jobs annually.
- Decline in 2024: The job creation rate dropped significantly in 2024, with only 11,869 jobs added. This was still higher than the 4,965 jobs created in 2025.
- National Trends: In 2025, Mexico experienced historically low job creation figures, with less than 300,000 formal jobs generated annually. This trend was attributed to uncertainties surrounding Mexico’s trade relations, affecting employers’ decisions, as per ManpowerGroup analyses.
Job Creation by Sector in 2025
Among the sectors, commerce was the primary job creator in 2025, accounting for 2,598 new positions. Transportation and communications added 2,105 jobs, while social and community services contributed 918 new roles.
Other sectors with positive growth included primary activities (533 jobs), electricity, water capture, and supply (346 jobs), and transformation industry (207 jobs). However, construction (-1,601 jobs), business services (-71 jobs), and extractive industries (-70 jobs) experienced negative growth.
Seasonal factors led to a loss of 12,199 jobs in December 2025, with all nine principal sectors reporting monthly declines. The transformation industry suffered the most significant drop, losing 3,378 jobs.
Querétaro’s Position Among Mexican Entities
Despite the challenging 2025, Querétaro ranked sixth among Mexico’s 32 federal entities in job creation, surpassing states like the Federal District (196,226 jobs), Estado de México (129,481 jobs), Jalisco (27,794 jobs), Nuevo León (19,389 jobs), and Tlaxcala (9,286 jobs).
Secretary Marco Antonio Del Prete Tercero highlighted Querétaro’s promising start in 2026, attributing it to the successful completion of four investment projects. He emphasized that despite the 2025 job creation challenges, Querétaro maintained its position as a significant job generator.
Key Questions and Answers
- What was the job creation situation in Querétaro in 2025? Querétaro saw the creation of only 4,965 jobs in 2025, the lowest level since the pandemic.
- How did Querétaro’s job creation compare to previous years? Job creation figures ranged from 31,061 in 2019 to over 30,000 jobs annually from 2021 to 2023. The state saw a significant drop in 2024, with only 11,869 jobs added.
- What were the main sectors contributing to job creation in 2025? Commerce led with 2,598 new jobs, followed by transportation and communications (2,105) and social and community services (918).
- How did Querétaro’s job creation performance compare to other Mexican entities in 2025? Querétaro ranked sixth among Mexico’s 32 federal entities in job creation, surpassing states like the Federal District, Estado de México, Jalisco, Nuevo León, and Tlaxcala.
