Entrepreneurial intention among university students from indigenous peoples in Mexico City and Morelos

Abstract

Entrepreneurship constitutes a relevant alternative for employment generation among university students; in rural contexts, it also contributes to reducing land abandonment and migration to urban areas. However, young people from Indigenous communities face additional challenges—such as limitations in transportation, educational quality, connectivity, infrastructure, access to water, financing, technology, and climate change—that may affect entrepreneurial intention. This study aims to describe attitudes toward entrepreneurship, perceived social norms, and entrepreneurial capacity among university students from Indigenous communities in the Milpa Alta borough of Mexico City and the state of Morelos during the period from February to August 2025. A quantitative, cross-sectional field study with a descriptive scope was conducted using snowball sampling. Data were collected through the questionnaire validated by Saavedra et al. (2024), applied to a sample of 171 higher education students. The results reveal favorable entrepreneurial attitudes and capacities despite adverse structural conditions, along with a positive perception from the social and family environment. The study concludes on the importance and necessity of promoting programs that foster youth entrepreneurship within their communities.