El desarrollo económico y la migración mexicana: el TLCAN e impactos en las regiones

We explore the relationship between migration and the economic characteristics of Mexican states. Employment deficits might encourage migration, in accordance with the neoclassical modernization principle. However, the results indicate that in spite of the expected benefits of liberalization, the states most successful at generating jobs had lower labor productivity. The best performance corresponds with a higher inclination towards manufacturing, while the maquiladora industry states suffered a severe loss in employment. A few other states specializing in tourism and energy stand out also with high levels of employment. Regionally, the South had the best growth in employment, in spite of lower labor productivity. The North and Center, with better productivity, had modest growth rates. In general, the relationship between employment and productivity is weak because the commerce and service sectors, more dependent on the evolution of the local economy, are the most dynamic in the creation of employment. These results may suggest the promotion of competitive agglomerations and reliance in internal markets.