The state of technology in Mexico has been driven in the last 30 years by its geographical position. Its location makes it a strategic player and a principal recipient of investment from the most powerful economy in the world.
While technological adoption among the largest companies in the country has been almost parallel to the most advanced economies, the penetration of the Internet and mobile devices places Mexico in a privileged position in the context of the Latin American region.
Level of technology in Mexico
Mexico continues to strengthen its position as a technology-driven economy in Latin America. The country ranks third in technology readiness in the region and ninth globally in high-tech exports.
Mexico also stands out for its talent base. In 2022, it led Latin America and the Caribbean in graduates from master’s programs in computer science and ranked sixth worldwide in AI-focused research personnel, highlighting the depth and continuity of its technical workforce.
Recent official data from Mexico’s Statistical Yearbook of Higher Education Enrollment highlights a solid and reliable talent pipeline in the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) field. Over the past five years, Mexico has produced 211,460 ICT graduates, with annual figures remaining close to 40,000 for most of the period and showing clear growth in the most recent years. The latest reported figure, 48,678 graduates, represents the highest point in the series and signals a strengthening trend rather than a temporary spike.
What makes this data particularly relevant is its precision. These figures reflect ICT programs only, not a broader mix of STEM or loosely defined technology roles. As a result, they offer a more accurate view of the country’s specialized tech talent base. In a context where many market estimates combine multiple engineering disciplines, this official data confirms that Mexico is not relying on assumptions, but on a steady and measurable output of professionals trained specifically for the technology sector.
Technology in Mexico: Investments
Between 2006 and 2011, investments in the IT sector through projects supported by the Prosoft Fund (Program for the Development of the Software Industry and Innovation) went from 78 million dollars to nearly 115 million dollars.
While precise figures for IT investment in Mexico over the past five years remain scarce, the overall trend shows sustained growth and a clear rise in large-scale projects. Notably, several major players have announced or launched significant initiatives:
- Amazon Web Services (AWS): In 2024, AWS committed over $5 billion to establish a cloud infrastructure region in Querétaro. This long-term investment supports growing demand for cloud services across Latin America.
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Foxconn: Partnering with Nvidia, Foxconn has begun developing a semiconductor manufacturing facility in Mexico. Although full details are still emerging, the project signals Mexico’s growing role in advanced tech manufacturing.
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Microsoft: After investing $1.1 billion in 2020 to support cloud services and training, Microsoft committed another $1.3 billion in 2024 to boost AI infrastructure and expand digital skills across Mexico.
Mexico’s Main Tech Talent Markets
Mexico concentrates a significant share of Latin America’s tech talent across three key markets: Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara, according to CBRE’s Scoring Tech Talent report. Together, these cities reflect both scale and sustained growth in the country’s technology workforce.
- Mexico City leads the region with 320,000 technology professionals and a 95% increase in tech employment over the past five years, making it the largest tech talent market in Latin America.
- Monterrey stands out for growth, recording a 112% increase in tech employment during the same period, the fastest rate among the markets analyzed.
- Guadalajara, long recognized for its technology ecosystem, reports 61,644 tech workers and a 54% five-year growth rate, reinforcing its role as a stable and expanding tech hub.
Cost competitiveness
In terms of operating costs, according to information from the Mexican Ministry of Economy, in the information technology sector, Mexico compares with levels similar to those of China and India.
For example, compared to the United States, Mexico is 39% cheaper in ‘Digital Entertainment Development,’ 38% in ‘Software Design’, and 60% in ‘Support Services,’ according to KPMG’s Guide to International Business Location Costs 2012 Edition.
It’s important to note that while the specific percentages may have evolved over time, Mexico continues to be recognized for its cost-effective environment for IT and support services, making it an attractive destination for companies seeking to expand their operations.
Challenges and critical points
As mentioned above, the country’s geolocation allows it to integrate almost naturally into the supply chains of various industries in the United States, such as electronics, automotive, aerospace, and information.
On the other hand, this subordination as a supplier of parts and components and affordable talent has created challenges for developing its own technology. An example is software, one of the fields where Mexico could have stood out since the 1980s. Unfortunately, even today, there is a need to promote public policies that bet on talent development in this area, promoted by the Mexican Government and articulated by the private sector, with the participation of higher education institutions and venture capital.
What is the impact of technology in Mexico?
As noted earlier, the Information Technology and Telecommunications market in Mexico is largely driven by large organizations, which account for a significant share of corporate technology spending. Studies such as Select’s annual Top 1500 analysis consistently focus on the country’s largest companies due to their scale, investment capacity, and influence on the technology market.
At the same time, small and medium-sized enterprises play a central role in Mexico’s broader economy. SMEs contribute around half of national GDP and generate more than two-thirds of total employment, according to widely cited economic statistics. This contrast highlights a structural dynamic in which large companies concentrate technology investment, while SMEs remain the primary source of economic activity and job creation across the country.
Main centers of technology in Mexico
- Technological Institute of Monterrey (ITESM)
- National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics and Electronics (INAOE)
- Anahuac University Mexico South
- Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus Mexico City
- Cinvestav – Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the IPN
- Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM)
- National Polytechnic Institute (IPN)
- Autonomous University of the State of Morelos ( UAEMor )
- Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Studies (ITESM)
Primary technological industries in the country
- Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
- Electronic Equipment Manufacturing
- Automotive Technology
- Biotechnology
- Telecommunications
- Aerospace Industry
- Smart Factory and Industrial Digitalization
- Agriculture 4.0
- Robotics and Automation
- Software Development
- Biopharmaceuticals
Digitization and Internet Access
The 2021 edition of the Network Readiness Index places Mexico in 59th place among the countries with the greatest digitization out of the 130 countries evaluated. Among those with an upper-middle income, Mexico ranks 11th and eighth in the Americas. For its part, the Statista research department estimated that approximately 98.6 million people in Mexico had access to the Internet, representing an increase of around 16 million compared to registered users in 2021.
It is forecast that by 2026, around 118.2 million Mexicans will have access to the network. Most of them surf the web of networks through a smartphone.
Final Thoughts
Mexico’s growth in IT and digital infrastructure is a product of both global demand and local strengths. With strong cost competitiveness, a growing workforce, and tech-driven sectors, the country has become a leading destination for IT outsourcing services.
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