Economic growth was maintained, and conditions were created to encourage productive investment. For the fifth straight year, formal employment grew twice as much as the economy. Mexican exports totaled almost 410 billion dollars, representing a record amount and an increase of 9.5%. Manufacture goods played an essential role in this increase, with a share of almost 365 billion dollars at year-end, more than eight percent higher than the previous year. Also in 2017 various changes promoted by the Structural Reforms resulted in more significant opportunities for higher education, raising the minimum wage in real terms and better access to technology, among others.