How Gender Inequality Shapes Aging in Mexico
In Mexico, gender disparities persist in elderly pensions, with only 4 in 10 receiving contributory pensions. Women face lifelong inequalities, leading to reliance on non-contributory pensions for economic security. Urgent reforms are needed for a more equitable future.
In Mexico, the economic well-being of the elderly is hanging in the balance, with a stark divide in pension coverage, particularly among women. According to Isalia Nava Bolaños, an academic at UNAM's Institute of Economic Research (IIEc), only four out of every ten elderly individuals receive income from a contributory pension, revealing a critical gap in financial support for those who toiled in the formal sector with social security. In her recent conference on the “Economic security of women in advanced ages,” Nava Bolaños shed light on the marked gender differences exacerbating this issue.
The statistics are revealing: 21 percent of the Mexican population falls within the 65 to 74 age bracket, with women comprising 54.4 percent and men 45.6 percent. The aging process unveils a feminization of old age, as women outlive men, resulting in a higher proportion of elderly females. While this may suggest a longevity advantage, Nava Bolaños emphasized the need to recognize the disparities women face throughout their life cycle.
