Baja California Sur, Nuevo León, and Querétaro emerged as the top destinations for new foreign investment in Mexico during the first half of 2026, even as new foreign investment in the country slowed overall.
According to new data from the Economy Ministry (SE), Mexico received US $2.7 billion in new investments from January to June — one of the three components of foreign direct investment (FDI) — down 13.4% compared to the same period in 2025. At the same time, total FDI grew as established ventures reinvested profits.
However, three entities maintained investor confidence.
Baja California Sur topped the list with US $524 million of new FDI, followed by Nuevo León with $473 million, and Querétaro with $410 million. Together, these three states accounted for nearly half of the funds allocated to new projects.
Baja California Sur’s tourism industry pushed it to the top of the list. In the first half of 2026, over 95% of the state’s total FDI was new investment. Of that new investment, over 97% ($511.9 million) went toward lodging services including guesthouses, boarding houses and furnished apartments with hotel services.
Meanwhile, Nuevo León registered a 190.1% annual growth in new FDI. The capital was concentrated in wholesale trade of trucks and auto parts, vehicle manufacturing and the iron and steel industries.
The result reflects the state’s importance as a manufacturing, logistics and automotive hub, favored for its proximity to the U.S. market and the integration of its suppliers into global supply chains.
Finally, Querétaro saw a 158.6% increase in new capital investment after receiving a boost of US $410 million. The main sectors receiving this investment include electricity generation and supply, confectionery, auto parts, and electronic components — sectors that confirm the state’s industrial diversification and its importance within the Bajío economic corridor.
These three states were followed by Jalisco, Quintana Roo, Nayarit, Chihuahua, Baja California, Puebla and Guanajuato, which received between US $100 million to $300 million in new capital investment apiece.
In contrast, Tlaxcala — the smallest state in Mexico — was the only state that saw no foreign investment.
Meanwhile, México state, Zacatecas, Sonora, Aguascalientes and Mexico City registered capital outflows.
With reports from El Economista
