Women Losing Ground in San Luis Potosí's Economy: IMCO Report

Women Losing Ground in San Luis Potosí’s Economy: IMCO Report

Women’s economic participation in San Luis Potosí has declined by five percentage points over two years. After reaching a two-decade high of 48.2% in 2023, the indicator dropped to 46.7% in 2024 and fell to 43.2% in 2025. These results are part of the fifth edition of the Estados #ConLupaDeGénero 2026 report, prepared by the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO). It’s important to note that the study analyzes the conditions offered by the 32 federal entities to attract, incorporate, and retain female talent.

Female Economic Participation in San Luis Potosí Recedes for Second Year

In this regard, with an overall score of 46.4 points, San Luis Potosí ranked 20th nationally. The decline recorded during 2025 deepened the negative trend that began a year earlier. Between 2024 and 2025, the proportion of women participating in the state’s economy decreased by 3.5 percentage points. Compared to the peak reached in 2023, the cumulative reduction was five percentage points. This signifies that a smaller proportion of women of working age were employed or actively seeking to join the labor market.

IMCO constructed its evaluation using 16 indicators, distributed across three sub-indices:

• Women’s entry into the labor market.
• Women’s retention in the labor market.
• Economic autonomy.

The indicators help identify the barriers women face before securing employment, during their professional careers, and when generating or managing their own resources.

San Luis Potosí Stands Out in Early Childhood Care Coverage

Although economic participation has receded, San Luis Potosí achieved favorable results in some indicators related to care systems. The state ranked sixth nationally in early childhood service coverage, with 43.3% reach. This indicator considers the proportion of children receiving care through public and private childcare services. Additionally, the state also ranked 11th nationally in the provision of care for older adults.

The availability of these services is relevant for women’s labor force participation, as women tend to assume a larger proportion of unpaid domestic and care activities. However, positive outcomes in this area have not yet translated into a recovery of women’s economic participation in the state.

Labor Poverty Affects 45.4% of Women in San Luis Potosí

San Luis Potosí ranked 24th nationally in the economic autonomy sub-index, one of its main challenges within the study. Labor poverty was the indicator with the most lagging results. According to IMCO, 45.4% of women in San Luis Potosí earn incomes below the cost of the basic food basket. This percentage placed the state in 28th position among the 32 federal entities. Baja California Sur achieved the best national result, with a proportion of 14.4%.

Economic autonomy is also limited by the lack of direct monetary income. In San Luis Potosí, 29.9% of women aged 15 and over are economically dependent on someone else to cover their needs. With this result, the state ranked 25th nationally. Baja California Sur led this indicator with an income dependency of 17.1%.

Only 16.5% of Female Entrepreneurs Operate Formally

Entrepreneurship does not necessarily guarantee better economic conditions for women in San Luis Potosí. The report indicates that only 16.5% of female entrepreneurs operate within the formal sector. San Luis Potosí ranked 20th nationally in this indicator. Zacatecas presented the highest percentage in the country, with 30.9% of formal female entrepreneurs. Operating informally limits access to social security, financing, business credit, and labor protection mechanisms. It also reduces the growth and retention possibilities of businesses led by women.

Furthermore, 16.4% of women in San Luis Potosí legally own or co-own a home. This figure placed the state in 20th position nationally. Campeche obtained the best result, with 23.3% of women legally owning or co-owning a home.

Informality Reaches 53.4% of Women Workers in San Luis Potosí

In the sub-index for women’s retention in the labor market, San Luis Potosí ranked 14th nationally. One of the main obstacles was informality. IMCO reported that 53.4% of women employed in non-agricultural activities work without full access to labor rights and benefits. This result placed the state in 17th position. Chihuahua registered the lowest female labor informality in the country, with 31.1%.

Informality can limit access to health services, childcare, retirement savings, housing loans, and maternity leave. It also increases the vulnerability of female workers to periods of unemployment or income reduction.

Gender Wage Gap in San Luis Potosí Stands at 10%

San Luis Potosí showed better performance in the income difference between women and men. The gender wage gap stood at 10%, a result that placed the state in fifth position nationally. This indicator represents the difference between the average monthly incomes of men and women relative to the average male income. Chiapas obtained the best result in the country, with a gap of just 0.1%.

Although San Luis Potosí ranked among the entities with lower wage inequality, this indicator only considers individuals who already have an income. Therefore, it must be analyzed alongside levels of economic participation, informality, and income dependency.

Safety and Adolescent Pregnancy Hinder Labor Incorporation

IMCO’s report also identifies social conditions that can influence women’s entry and retention in the labor market. San Luis Potosí ranked 17th in the percentage of women who stopped using public transport due to fear of being victims of a crime. Insecurity during commutes can restrict employment options, especially when workplaces are far from homes or require night hours.

The state also ranked 11th for adolescent pregnancy and seventh nationally in the rate of intentional homicides against women. These indicators show that female labor performance does not solely depend on job availability; factors such as:

• Safety
• Care services
• Education
• Mobility
• Women’s capacity to build personal wealth

Thus, the drop in female economic participation to 43.2% represents the main focus of attention. The result indicates that, despite advancements in some care services, San Luis Potosí still faces challenges in incorporating more women into the labor market and ensuring they remain in jobs with sufficient income, benefits, and opportunities to build wealth.

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This article first appeared on Líder Empresarial.