The steady increase in trade between the United States and Mexico, largely due
to increased NAFTA-related activity, has caused El Paso-Juárez to be ranked
16th in trade among the largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas in the United
States. Twenty-five percent of all trade between the U.S. and Mexico crosses
through the El Paso/Juárez border. Population increases in the area are double
the national average for El Paso/Juárez combined.
Maquiladora Industry Presence in Mexico
| Year |
# of Employees |
Net Value added (Billions of US Dollars) |
Average Wage* (per hr in US Dollars) |
1995
|
686,985 |
$4.96 B |
$1.16 |
1996
|
801,257 |
$6.45 B |
$1.21 |
1997
|
938,448 |
$8.28 B |
$1.45 |
1998
|
1,036,743 |
$10.93 B |
$1.94 |
1999
|
1,248,030 |
$13.8 B |
$1.71 |
2000
|
1,338,970 |
$17.3 B |
$1.88 |
2001
|
1,201,650 |
$19.3 B |
$1.75 |
2002
|
1,081,730 |
$18.8 B |
$1.79 |
2003
|
1,064,828 |
$18.6 B |
$1.77 |
2004
|
1,131,005 |
$19.2 B |
$1.72 |
*Includes fringe benefits (direct labor only)
Source: ciemex-wefa.