Mexican Workers Expect Productive Age to Last Longer: OCC

The concept of productive age is gaining relevance as longer life spans and shifting career expectations reshape work and retirement planning in Mexico. A new survey by OCC found that a majority of workers perceive that professional life now extends over more years than in the past.

According to the survey, 59% of respondents said that people are working for longer, while 14% said some are retiring earlier. Another 10% felt that the productive age has remained the same, and 17% were uncertain.

Age groups showed different perspectives on the trend. Among workers over 50 years old, 65% expressed certainty that working life has been prolonged, compared with 22% of respondents between 21 and 30 years old, who reported greater uncertainty.

The survey also highlights shifting retirement expectations. Forty percent of workers said they plan to start a business to generate additional income once they leave formal employment. Meanwhile, 29% plan to retire at the legal age, 16% said they will work until reaching personal goals, and 15% intend to continue working indefinitely.

These findings indicate that more workers are preparing to remain economically active for longer, reflecting both a challenge and an opportunity for organizations in adapting to evolving labor market conditions.

The OCC “Labor Thermometer,” now in its 267th edition, was conducted between Aug. 18 and 24 and surveyed 1,511 workers across Mexico.