Nuevo Leon Women Reap the Benefits of Innovation Driven Agenda

Second only to Mexico City, Nuevo Leon registers the greatest number of women earning the highest salary bracket permitted under the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), according to a report by COPARMEX. This outcome comes as a result of a competitive outsourcing market fueled by demand by Silicon Valley companies in the US, which have sought to meet talent needs while cutting costs. 

"Having more and more women in positions of power demonstrates the social and cultural progress of Nuevo Leon," said Cecilia Carrillo López, Director, COPARMEX Nuevo Leon. "We are pleased to learn of news such as the recent appointment of Norma Piña as President, Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation."

The state has worked hard to position itself as a hub for modern technology and digital innovation to fuel its economic growth. Compound results achieved through public and private coordination have served to continually attract foreign direct investment, giving way to steady, high-income job creation above the national average even throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearshoring from US and Canadian companies has engendered a competitive labor market that has allowed the number of women in the highest salary bracket to grow by 50 percent from 2018. 

Moreover, demand has increased and is not expected to wane. The continuous integration of women in the formal workforce is reflected in the 15.3 percent boost of female workers registered in the IMSS from November 2018. This figure is about four points ahead of the national average according to data from IMSS, thus indicating that women in Nuevo Leon have better job prospects than their counterparts in most of the rest of the country. Nevertheless, close behind are women in Jalisco, State of Mexico, Baja California, Queretaro and Chihuahua. All northern states benefit from nearshoring and enjoy a higher minimum wage. 

Carrillio celebrated the state’s work in “cultural change, regulations, productivity and [the generation of] greater opportunities." 

Looking forward, as the US reorients itself towards Mexico and away from China, the region is likely to benefit from additional foreign direct investment and job creation. An opportunity for the economy that will necessitate the generation of highly skilled workers that will open additional gateways to people in the region.