The impact of Nearshoring on Mexico's northern border region: A case study of Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61273/neyart.v4i4.238Keywords:
Boundaries, Economic competition, Foreign investment, Industrial location, International trade, Manufacturing industry, MexicoAbstract
Nearshoring has established itself as a business relocation strategy aimed at improving supply chains by reducing the geographic distance between production centers and consumer markets. In this context, Mexico's northern border region holds particular importance due to its proximity to the United States, its industrial infrastructure, and its integration into global value chains. This article aims to examine the impact of nearshoring on Mexico's northern border region by analyzing its effects on foreign direct investment, industrial development, employment, infrastructure, and regional competitiveness. The study is descriptive and documentary: it combines a literature review guided by the stages of the PRISMA methodology, without constituting a systematic review, with the analysis of INEGI statistical series.
The results show that in Ciudad Juárez the consumption of inputs by IMMEX manufacturing establishments grew 13.4% per year between 2008 and 2022 and fell 41.2% between 2022 and 2025, while employment decreased 17.0% between 2023 and 2025. Domestic inputs accounted for only 3.6% of consumption in 2025, compared with 31.1% nationwide. Challenges were also identified regarding industrial space, energy supply, and logistics infrastructure. Nearshoring is considered a strategic opportunity for the growth and competitiveness of the northern border region; however, its long-term consolidation depends on Mexico's ability to improve infrastructure, maintain an investment-friendly environment, and formulate policies that enable the country to sustainably capitalize on the opportunities arising from business relocation.
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