Mexico's minimum wage 2025: data, comparisons, and purchasing power
A new increase in the minimum wage in Mexico, established by the National Minimum Wage Commission (CONASAMI), will take effect on January 1, 2025. The measure aims to restore workers' purchasing power, which has been hit by inflation and the rising cost of essential goods and services. The adjustment includes increases for both the general zone and the Northern Border Free Zone (ZLFN), with percentages that exceed projected inflation.
Minimum wage and official amounts
| Country | Minimum wage (USD/month) |
|---|---|
| 🇨🇷Costa Rica | 726 |
| 🇺🇾Uruguay | 586 |
| 🇨🇱Chili | 565 |
| 🇪🇨Ecuador | 470 |
| 🇬🇹Guatemala | 466 |
| 🇲🇽Mexico | 416.6 |
| 🇧🇴Bolivia | 362 |
| 🇨🇴Colombia | 349 |
| 🇦🇷Argentina | 263 |
| 🇻🇪Venezuela | 1.2 |
Cost of living in Mexico 2025
According to surveys by Numbeo and INEGI, the cost of living index without rent stands at 40.68 points. Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs an average of $13,279 MXN (US$13,279 MXN (US$660). The urban food basket is around $2,452 MXN per person per month, while the urban poverty line is set at $4,722 MXN. Among the products with the largest increases this year are beef (+18%), meals eaten outside the home (+7.6%), and pasteurized milk (+8.6%).
Comparison with Uruguay
In Uruguay, the national minimum wage for 2025 is 23,604 UYU (US23,604 UYU (US 586), with an increase of 6% compared to the previous year . The basic food basket per person is estimated at 6,874 UYU (US6,874 UYU (US 160). This means that, in terms of purchasing power, the Uruguayan minimum wage covers 3.66 food baskets, while in Mexico the coverage is lower.
Real purchasing power
Projections for 2026
Experts anticipate that Mexico will continue to implement price increases above inflation to sustain the recovery in purchasing power. However, they warn that rising food and housing prices could offset some of these improvements.
