Trabajadores transfronterizos o commuters internacionales en la frontera México-Estados Unidos: evolución e importancia económica

Pedro P. Orraca Romano

doi:10.21670/ref.2307118

Authors

Pedro P. Orraca Romano El Colegio de la Frontera Norte https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0215-1251

Keywords:

cross-border workers, international commuters, cross-border shopping, Mexico-US border

Abstract

This article analyzes the evolution of cross-border workers who reside in Mexico and work in the United States and quantifies their economic importance. Based on census information and the ENIGH, a series of linear regression and Tobit models are estimated. During the 2000-2020 period, the number of cross-border workers grew slightly and the share of US-born within this group increased substantially. In 2020, cross-border workers contributed 7.3% of the salary mass and disbursed 7.5% of the total expenditures made in the municipalities of northern Mexico. Moreover, having a cross-border worker in the household is associated with an expenditure that is 56.8% higher in Mexico and 283.1% higher in the United States. Being a cross-border worker represents an effective strategy for the people from northern Mexico with the possibility of working in the United States to maximize their income and access a better quality of life.

Resumen

Este artículo analiza la evolución de los trabajadores transfronterizos que residen en México y laboran en Estados Unidos y cuantifica su importancia económica. Con base en información censal y la ENIGH se estiman modelos de regresión lineal y Tobit. Durante el periodo 2000-2020, el número de transfronterizos aumentó ligeramente y la participación de los estadounidenses dentro de este grupo se incrementó sustancialmente. En 2020, los transfronterizos aportaron 7.3% de la masa salarial y ejercieron 7.5% del gasto total de los municipios del norte de México. Además, el tener a un transfronterizo en el hogar se asocia con un gasto 56.8% mayor en México y 283.1% mayor en Estados Unidos. El ser transfronterizo representa para las personas del norte de México con posibilidades de laborar en Estados Unidos una estrategia efectiva para maximizar su ingreso y acceder a un mejor nivel de vida.

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