Understanding the New Workforce
In Mexico, the economy extends far beyond large corporations. Each day, millions of people work without a formal payroll, fixed schedule, and often lack institutional recognition. They are freelancers, consultants, digital creators, catalogue sellers, or members of multi-level marketing networks. Together, they form a new type of workforce: independent, resilient, and increasingly vital to the country.
According to INEGI and ENOE statistics, approximately 41% of the Economically Active Population operates in self-employment or independent work schemes. Although many function within the informal sector, an increasing number complies with their tax obligations, pays income and value-added taxes, and contributes to domestic consumption. However, this reality remains unrecognized as a modern form of productivity based on knowledge and flexibility.
The Illusion of Entrepreneurship
For years, the discourse on entrepreneurship in Mexico has been linked to business creation and small and medium enterprises (MiPyMES). However, the majority of “entrepreneurs” are actually solo individuals sustaining themselves with their own talent. They are professionals selling services, stay-at-home mothers generating income from home, young creatives living off their digital creativity, or individuals over 40 who found a secondary source of income through direct sales.
Confusing entrepreneurship with business ownership has led to thousands of initiatives lacking support. Credit, training, and formalization programs still cater to established businesses with employees rather than those merely trying to sustain themselves.
The Invisible Economy
According to the Mexican Direct Sales Association, around 3.5 million Mexicans actively participate in multi-level marketing networks or direct sales schemes. Adding freelancers, digital service providers, and independent consultants, we’re talking about more than 10 million people.
Collectively, they generate annual revenues estimated above 600 million pesos, a figure comparable to formal sectors like manufacturing or tourism. However, their economic contribution isn’t reflected in traditional indicators because independent transactions and decentralized productive networks aren’t measured.
The Power of Formalizing Independence
Formalizing self-employment doesn’t mean bureaucratization; it means recognition, facilitation, and empowerment. This involves designing simple tax schemes, proportional social security systems, digital incentives, and accessible financing for those operating independently.
A New Narrative of Work
This new workforce doesn’t seek subsidies; they ask to be recognized.
Their strength lies in their ability to reinvent themselves daily.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the new workforce in Mexico? It comprises freelancers, consultants, digital creators, catalogue sellers, and multi-level marketing network members who are independent, resilient, and increasingly vital to the country.
- Why is this workforce significant? Approximately 41% of Mexico’s Economically Active Population engages in self-employment or independent work, generating over 600 million pesos annually.
- Why is formalization important for this workforce? Formalizing self-employment means recognizing, facilitating, and empowering this workforce through simple tax schemes, proportional social security systems, digital incentives, and accessible financing.
- What challenges does this workforce face? The confusion between entrepreneurship and business ownership has led to a lack of support for initiatives, as existing programs cater to established businesses rather than those trying to sustain themselves.
- Why is it crucial to update the narrative of work? The new workforce doesn’t measure success by hours or contracts but by impact, flexibility, and purpose. Recognizing their efforts can transform independent economic activity into Mexico’s new growth engine.
