WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S.-Mexico Foundation has partnered with the Hunt Institute for Global Competitiveness at UT-El Paso to provide a Border Facts analysis sheet.
“The U.S. southern border is one of the most important economic regions in North America, and one of the most misunderstood,” the Foundation stated. “This Border Facts analysis highlights the extraordinary economic contribution of communities along the U.S. side of the U.S.-Mexico border.”
The key findings are:
▪️ The 41 U.S. southern border counties generate approximately $1 trillion in GDP, equivalent to Pennsylvania's economy and large enough to rank among the largest state economies in the country.
▪️ These counties are home to 12.6 million people, support 5.5 million jobs, and continue to outpace national growth across key economic indicators.
▪️ Commercial crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border reached 9.8 million in 2025, growing nearly three times faster than crossings along the U.S.-Canada border over the last decade.
▪️ The four U.S. border states—Texas, California, Arizona, and New Mexico—processed $1.7 trillion in trade, representing nearly 30% of all U.S. trade.
▪️ Texas alone accounted for 73.1% of commercial border crossings and 79.4% of southern border land trade.
“These numbers underscore an important reality: border communities are not peripheral to the U.S. economy, they are central to its competitiveness, supply chains, and relationship with Mexico,” the Hunt Institute stated. “Understanding the economic significance of these communities is essential for advancing stronger bilateral cooperation and more informed policymaking.”
All figures in the Border Facts analysis reflect the U.S. side of the border and do not include northern Mexican border communities.
Here is the Border Facts sheet:
About the U.S.-Mexico Foundation
The U.S.-Mexico Foundation (USMF) is a binational non-profit, non-partisan, organization dedicated to fostering cooperation and bilateral understanding between the United States and Mexico. Rooted in the North America Free Trade Agreement, the organization was founded in 2001 and began operations in 2004 with seed capital from the David & Lucile Packard Foundation, Carnegie Corporation and FUNDEMEX. The USMF is governed by a binational board consisting of business and civic leaders, with extensive networks in the U.S. and Mexico. The USMF embarked on a new chapter in 2018, with a compelling agenda that prioritizes policy and advocacy. The organization is focused on creating new strategic alliances, educating important stakeholders, and providing a voice on the most relevant issues concerning the U.S.-Mexico relationship.
About the Hunt Institute for Global Competitiveness
Since 2014, the Hunt Institute for Global Competitiveness at The University of Texas at El Paso has provided economic analysis of the Paso del Norte Region that includes the binational communities of El Paso, Texas; Las Cruces, N.M.; and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. The mission of the Hunt Institute is to produce high-quality market analysis tools that can strengthen regional and binational cross-border economic and social development.
