SCIAN: North American Industrial Classification System (Mexico Version) - NAICS Mexico

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the standard applied by Federal statistical agencies in Mexico, United States, and Canada for classifying business establishments. The Mexican adaptation of NAICS is known as Sistema de Clasificación Industrial de América del Norte (SCIAN) and was first released in 1997. The classification system is hierarchically structured into six levels, ranging from sectors at the broadest level to classes at the finest level.

Current Version: SCIAN Mexico 2023

SCIAN Mexico 2023 took effect in Mexico in January 2023.

Changes between SCIAN Mexico 2018 and SCIAN Mexico 2023

SCIAN Mexico 2023 accounts for the most important changes in the economic structure in since the last update. The most relevant changes in SCIAN Mexico 2023 were in the sectors 31-33 (Manufacturing); Wholesale Trade (43); Retail Trade (46), and Information (51). Consequently, there changes in the national level of detail of SCIAN Mexico 2023 both due to trilateral agreements and independently decided by Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI). The changes in sectors 43, 46 and 51 are especially due to the removal of the distinction between online and in-store mode of sale as a classification criterion for economic activities. Additionally, in SCIAN Mexico 2023, several titles and descriptions have been revised just as concepts and terminology have been clarified. All changes to the content of SCIAN Mexico 2023 activities were made within the limits of the sector.

Structure of SCIAN Mexico 2023

SCIAN Mexico 2023 has a six-digit hierarchical structure, with the degree of specificity increasing at each level. It is structured as follows:

Sectors: 20 sectors represented by two-digit codes. This is the broadest categorization in SCIAN Mexico 2023.
Subsectors: 94 subsectors represented by three-digit codes.
Branches: 305 branches represented by four-digit codes.
Sub-branches: 610 sub-branches Industries represented by five-digit codes.
Classes: 1086 classes represented by six-digit codes. This is the most detailed level in SCIAN Mexico 2023. It identifies industries that are particularly relevant for the Mexican context.

The table below shows the number of subcategories in each of the 20 sectors in SCIAN Mexico 2023. At the finest classification level (classes), sector 31-33 (Manufacturing) is the largest of all 20 sectors in SCIAN Mexico 2023 with 292 classes, followed by sectors 11 (Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting) and 46 (Retail trade), with 99 and 84 classes respectively.

Code	Sectors	Sub-sectors	Branches	Sub-branches	Classes
11	Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting	5	19	42	99
21	Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction	3	5	10	32
22	Utilities	1	3	4	11
23	Construction	3	10	24	45
31-33	Manufacturing	21	86	179	292
43	Wholesale trade	7	17	35	70
46	Retail trade	9	22	32	84
48-49	Transportation and warehousing	11	29	42	65
51	Information and cultural industries	6	11	23	32
52	Finance and insurance	5	13	24	26
53	Real estate and rental and leasing	3	8	12	25
54	Professional, scientific and technical services	1	9	35	41
55	Management of companies and enterprises	1	1	1	2
56	Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services	2	11	31	40
61	Educational services	1	7	19	38
62	Health care and social assistance	4	18	30	64
71	Arts, entertainment and recreation	3	9	23	41
72	Accommodation and food services	2	6	10	22
81	Other services (except public administration)	4	12	26	45
93	Public administration	2	9	10	11
Total		94	305	610	1086

Previous versions

SCIAN Mexico 2018

SCIAN Mexico 2018 was in effect in Mexico from 2018 to 2022.

Changes between SCIAN Mexico 2013 and SCIAN Mexico 2018

The most relevant changes introduced in SCIAN Mexico 2018 were in sectors 21 (Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction), 22 (Utilities), 51 (Information and cultural industries), and 53 (Real estate and rental and leasing), where some classes from SCIAN Mexico 2013 were merged. On the other hand, some types of activities were split in sectors 11 (Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting), 31-33 (Manufacturing), 46 (Retail trade), 48-49 (Transportation and warehousing); and 81 (Other services). The level of national detail in SCIAN Mexico 2018 was expanded with 15 new classes.

Structure of SCIAN Mexico 2018

SCIAN Mexico 2018 had a six-digit hierarchical structure, with the degree of specificity increasing at each level. It was structured as follows:

Sectors: 20 sectors represented by two-digit codes. This is the broadest categorization in SCIAN Mexico 2023.
Subsectors: 94 subsectors represented by three-digit codes.
Branches: 306 branches represented by four-digit codes.
Sub-branches: 615 sub-branches Industries represented by five-digit codes.
Classes: 1084 classes represented by six-digit codes. This is the most detailed level in SCIAN Mexico 2018. It identifies industries that are particularly relevant for the Mexican context.

SCIAN Mexico 2013

SCIAN Mexico 2013 was in effect in Mexico from 2013 to 2018.

Changes between SCIAN Mexico 2007 and SCIAN Mexico 2013

A prominent methodological change in SCIAN Mexico 2013 was in sector 31-33 (Manufacturing) where "Factoryless Goods Producers" (FGPs) were now to be classified. At the national level of detail there were several changes, including the addition of nine new classes.

Structure of SCIAN 2013

SCIAN Mexico 2013 had a six-digit hierarchical structure, with the degree of specificity increasing at each level. It was structured as follows:

Sectors: 20 sectors represented by two-digit codes. This is the broadest categorization in SCIAN Mexico 2013.
Subsectors: 94 subsectors represented by three-digit codes.
Branches: 303 branches represented by four-digit codes.
Sub-branches: 614 sub-branches Industries represented by five-digit codes.
Classes: 1059 classes represented by six-digit codes. This is the most detailed level in SCIAN Mexico 2013.

SCIAN Mexico 2007

SCIAN Mexico 2007 was in force in Mexico from 2007 to 2013.

Changes between SCIAN Mexico 2002 and SCIAN Mexico 2007

SCIAN Mexico 2007 was a relatively minor revision to SCIAN Mexico 2002. Most of the changes were in the information sector reflecting the emergence of new technologies and the digitalization and diversification of services.

Structure of SCIAN Mexico 2007

SCIAN Mexico 2007 had a six-digit hierarchical structure, with the degree of specificity increasing at each level. It was structured as follows:

Sectors: 20 sectors represented by two-digit codes. This is the broadest categorization in SCIAN Mexico 2007.
Subsectors: 94 subsectors represented by three-digit codes.
Branches: 304 branches represented by four-digit codes.
Sub-branches: 617 sub-branches Industries represented by five-digit codes.
Classes: 1049 classes represented by six-digit codes. This was the most detailed level in SCIAN Mexico 2007.

SCIAN Mexico 2002

SCIAN Mexico 2002 was in force in Mexico from 2002 to 2007.

Changes between SCIAN Mexico 1997 and SCIAN Mexico 2002

In SCIAN Mexico 2002, sector 51 (Information) was restructured. The main change was inclusion of services that have to do with the internet, placed in new subsectors 516 (Creation and dissemination of content exclusively via the Internet) and 518 (Access providers to Internet, online search services and information processing services). Another significant development in SCIAN was the inclusion of the sector "Professional, scientific and technicians", comprising establishments dedicated to knowledge-intensive activities.

Structure of SCIAN Mexico 2002

SCIAN Mexico 2002 had a six-digit hierarchical structure, with the degree of specificity increasing at each level. It was structured as follows:

Sectors: 20 sectors represented by two-digit codes. This is the broadest categorization in SCIAN Mexico 2002.
Subsectors: 95 subsectors represented by three-digit codes.
Branches: 309 branches represented by four-digit codes.
Sub-branches: 631 sub-branches Industries represented by five-digit codes.
Classes: 1051 classes represented by six-digit codes. This was the most detailed level in SCIAN Mexico 2002.

SCIAN Mexico 1997

SCIAN Mexico 1997 was in force in Mexico from 1997 to 2002. It was the first Mexican edition of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) which was jointly developed by the national statistical agencies of the United States (Office of Management and Budget - OMB), Canada (Statistics Canada), and Mexico (INEGI) to facilitate the comparison of economic data across borders. The three national versions of NAICS are therefore known as NAICS Canada, NAICS Mexico (SCIAN Mexico, in the Spanish expression), and NAICS United States.

Structure of SCIAN Mexico 1997

SCIAN Mexico 1997 had a six-digit hierarchical structure, with the degree of specificity increasing at each level. It was structured as follows:

Sectors: 20 sectors represented by two-digit codes. This is the broadest categorization in SCIAN Mexico 1997.
Subsectors: 92 subsectors represented by three-digit codes.
Branches: 297 branches represented by four-digit codes.
Sub-branches: 622 sub-branches Industries represented by five-digit codes.
Classes: 1021 classes represented by six-digit codes. This was the most detailed level in SCIAN Mexico 1997.

Where is it used?

National Economic Statistics: SCIAN is principally used by INEGI and other government institutions in Mexico in the collection and reporting of a wide range of economic and industrial data. SCIAN ensures that industry classifications are harmonized and comparable with those of the US and Canada, facilitating cross-border economic cooperation, trade analysis, and regional integration.
Private Sector: Businesses and analysts can also use SCIAN to conduct market research, analyze industry trends, and make investment decisions.

Upcoming versions

To maintain the relevance, accuracy, and timeliness of the classification system, NAICS undergoes a review every five years involving the three countries. A new version of SCIAN is therefore expected to be released in 2028.

Further resources

Download SCIAN Mexico

Other resources

NAICS Association. How to Use NAICS & SIC Codes for Marketing.
Brenda Crist. Empower Your Business Growth by Using NAICS Codes Strategically.