The state of Morelos ends 2025 with an economic structure marked by contrasts between urban dynamism and persistent productive shortcomings in its rural regions. With over two million inhabitants and an urbanization rate of nearly 82%, the state operates under intense territorial pressure that concentrates employment, services, and infrastructure in specific areas.
According to the State Development Plan 2025–2030 of the State of Morelos , the state economy has transitioned for decades from agricultural activities to services, commerce and light manufacturing, a change that has been consolidated in recent years and has resulted in uneven growth between regions.
The most recent data from the Ministry of Economy (SE) —corresponding to the first quarter of 2025—shows an economically active population of 888,797 people , with an unemployment rate of 1.05% and an informal employment rate of 66.1% , one of the highest in the country. This composition reveals a large labor market in terms of volume, but with limited formal job creation and a strong dependence on activities with low social protection.
In foreign trade, Morelos registered $49,004 million in imports and $44,446 million in exports during January 2025, according to the SE.
The State Development Plan 2025–2030 of the State of Morelos indicated that in 2023 primary and secondary activities showed declines of 4.9% and 1.7% , respectively, while tertiary activities (commerce, services and transport) advanced 3.9% , consolidating their role as the engine of state growth.
In the productive sphere, the 2024 Agro-Food Infographic reported that Morelos had an agricultural and fishing volume of three million 624 thousand 654 tons , of which 96.9% corresponds to agricultural production , with crops such as sugar cane and red tomato among the most representative.
Although the volume is significant, the concentration in a few crops and the decline of the primary sector highlight the gap between the more competitive urban dynamism and rural capabilities, where limitations in productivity, infrastructure and diversification persist.
Morelos reaches the end of 2025 with indicators that combine solid commercial activity, an expanding urban market and a high level of informal employment, while productive lags and territorial gaps continue to define the main challenges for the state economy.
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