Credit and the Informal Economy: Engines of Mexico

January 2026 marks a turning point for financial analysis in the country, where the informal economy is solidifying its position as a fundamental pillar by contributing

Against this backdrop, specialists indicate that credit must cease to be exclusive to traditional banking and become a tool for real impetus. The discussion now centers on how to capitalize on this productive dynamism without stigmatizing unbanked sectors.

What hinders financing in unbanked sectors?

The most recent data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) reveal a compelling reality: one in four pesos generated in Mexico comes from informal activities. However, a significant gap exists between productivity and access to resources.

According to the National Survey of Financial Inclusion (ENIF), only 37.3% of the economically active population possesses some form of formal financing. This disconnect limits the expansion potential of millions of businesses.

The figures indicate clear structural barriers: -25.9% of applicants are rejected due to bureaucratic requirements. -In indigenous-speaking areas, access drops to 20.7%. -Lack of traditional credit history excludes solvent entrepreneurs.

Institutions such as the National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV) suggest that a lack of working capital restricts productivity. Despite this, the informal economy registered an increase in GDP of 0.7 percentage points in 2024.

Technology: The Key to Real Financial Inclusion?

In contrast to traditional banking, technological solutions are emerging as a viable alternative to democratize capital. The use of artificial intelligence allows for risk assessment using unconventional parameters.

Mariano Sokal, an expert in the sector, highlights the need for new evaluation models. “The size of the informal economy and its weight in employment reflect a clear reality: millions of people generate income and sustain productive activity, yet remain outside the financial system”, stated the co-founder of uFlow.

Technology facilitates the incorporation of alternative data. This enables fairer schemes for those who have historically been ignored. Sokal emphasizes that “technology allows for the analysis of these profiles with greater precision”.

Thus, credit transforms into a catalyst for development and not just a banking product. Greater financial inclusion could translate into stability and gradual formalization.

Which regions and sectors show the greatest dynamism?

The performance of the informal economy

. INEGI data show a geographical and sectoral contrast that investors should observe.

While northern states maintain a formal industrial base, the south demonstrates remarkable economic resilience stemming from informality: -Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Chiapas concentrate rates exceeding 77% in informal employment. -Informal Gross Value Added grew 6.0% annually in the third quarter of 2024. -Entities like Veracruz and Durango reported value increases exceeding 10%.

On the other hand, when analyzing economic activities, retail trade leads the contribution with 27.4% of the total. Construction and the agricultural sector follow.

This dynamism confirms that informality grows and produces wealth. Therefore, adapting financial services to this reality in 2026 is the true challenge to unleash the domestic market.

The entry

first appeared in Líder Empresarial.