Baja California has established itself as a fundamental pillar of Mexico ‘s economic development . Through a combination of foreign investment, growth in the manufacturing industry, and sustainable efforts, the region has demonstrated its ability to attract capital and foster progress.
According to data from the Baja California Secretariat of Economy and Innovation , the economic impact generated in the state between January 2024 and January 2025 reached 263,072 million pesos (mdp) , strengthening various productive areas.
One of the key factors in this growth has been the export manufacturing industry, in which Baja California continues to stand out as a leader.
Likewise, organizations such as Index Zona Costa Baja California have boosted the state’s competitiveness, ensuring that more than 150 projects from the national investment portfolio are concentrated in the region.
Foreign direct investment has also been instrumental in strengthening the state’s economy. In 2024, the state received $2.4385 billion in foreign investment, with the United States as its main trading partner, contributing $1.650 billion . The manufacturing industry accounted for 72.34% of these resources, according to the state’s Ministry of Economy and Innovation.
The phenomenon of relocating production lines in Mexico, known as nearshoring , has been another key element in the state’s growth, attracting between $ 500 million and $1 billion in foreign direct investment by 2023 .
The Port of Ensenada has emerged as a strategic point within this process, thanks to its privileged location and developing infrastructure.
However, Ensenada ‘s port activity has faced challenges due to U.S. tariff policies. During the first quarter of 2025 , total cargo throughput at the port decreased by 14.3% year-over-year, impacting trade dynamics. Despite this, Baja California ‘s overall growth remains positive.
In the productive sector, national revenues from the Manufacturing, Maquiladora and Export Services Industry Program (IMMEX) have shown an upward trend, rising from 3,385.32 billion pesos in January 2024 to 4,550.2 billion pesos in January 2025 , supporting the state’s competitiveness and its ability to strengthen its export industry.
Additionally, in the third quarter of 2024, Baja California’s economically active population was 1.82 million people , with an unemployment rate of 2.72%, according to data from the federal Ministry of Economy .
Economic growth has also impacted the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) . In 2023 , Baja California recorded a GDP of 951.66 billion pesos , a 3.5% increase compared to 2022 , reflecting the dynamism and financial stability that has characterized the region in recent years, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) .
To continue consolidating its role in national development, Baja California will host the Transportation and Logistics Meeting (ETYL) CALI-BAJA 2025 , organized by Grupo T21, which will take place at the Grand Hotel Tijuana on May 14 and 15. To register, go to the page baja.etylmx.com/.
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