In the industrial outskirts of Buenos Aires, the lines for open positions at a local meat-packing plant have recently begun to look different. Alongside the usual crowd of young job seekers, there is a growing number of grandparents—men and women in their 70s and 80s—clutching printed resumes, hoping for operational roles that demand physical stamina they may no longer possess.
This sight is the human face of a stark statistical trend. According to a recent report by the consultancy Politikon Chaco, based on data from the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INDEC) Permanent Household Survey (EPH), employment among people over 65 in Argentina has surged by 32.6% since 2016. This growth far outpaces the general employment increase of 17.8% during the same period, signaling a fundamental shift in how the country’s elderly are spending their retirement.
For many, this is not a quest for professional fulfillment or a desire to stay active. It’s a matter of basic survival. The gap between state support and the cost of living has widened to a point where the “golden years” have become a period of renewed labor, often under precarious conditions.
La ocupación de personas mayores de 65 años registró un salto del 32,6% respecto a 2016, una cifra que supera ampliamente el crecimiento del empleo total, que fue del 17,8% en el mismo período. Los datos surgen de un informe de la consultora Politikon Chaco, basado en la Encuesta Permanente de Hogares (EPH) del INDEC.
Esta tendencia quedó reflejada recientemente en las extensas filas registradas en un frigorífico de Buenos Aires, donde jubilados se postularon junto a jóvenes para cubrir puestos de trabajo operativos. Según la empresa, fue impactante ver a abuelos y abuelas entregando currículums debido a que sus ingresos actuales no alcanzan para sostener los gastos cotidianos.
La jubilación mínima se mantiene en 473.174 pesos, incluyendo el bono de 70.000 que no se actualiza desde marzo de 2024. Este monto queda muy por debajo de la canasta básica para un hogar de jubilados, que en marzo superó los 744.000 pesos en áreas urbanas, siempre que se cuente con vivienda propia.
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📊En 2025, el 5,1% de los ocupados totales del país eran personas mayores a 65 años, con un crecimiento relativo superior a las otras franjas etarias.
📈La expansión estuvo impulsado por el cuentapropismo, que alcanzó un máximo histórico.
Informe 👉 https://t.co/SXSrTsgI6c pic.twitter.com/52kvYIFeEtPolitikon Chaco (@politikon_chaco) May 6, 2026
The Mathematics of Survival
The driver behind this employment spike is a crushing disparity between fixed incomes and inflation. The minimum pension currently stands at 473,174 pesos—a figure that includes a 70,000-peso bonus that has remained stagnant since March 2024. When measured against the basic basket of goods and services required for a retired household in urban areas, the deficit is glaring: the cost of living for such a household exceeded 744,000 pesos as of March, assuming the residents own their home.
This financial shortfall has pushed over 686,000 people aged 65 and older into the workforce across Argentina’s main urban centers, marking the highest level since statistical records began. The report highlights that 5.1% of the country’s total employed population now consists of seniors, a relative growth rate that exceeds every other age demographic.
The Shift Toward Informal Labor
The nature of this work is rarely formal. The report identifies a sharp rise in “cuentapropismo”—self-employment—which has reached a historic peak. Nearly half of these workers (48.1%) operate on their own, often in low-barrier, low-pay roles. This shift is less about entrepreneurial spirit and more about the absence of formal hiring options for older adults.
The precarity is further evidenced by the rise in informality. In 2016, 47% of working seniors were in informal roles; by 2025, that number climbed to 55.7%. Over half of the elderly workforce now operates without social security contributions or legal registration. The trend is accelerating: while formal salaried workers over 65 dropped by 11% in the last year, informal workers in the same bracket grew by 21.2%.
| Metric (Ages 65+) | 2016 Data | 2025 Data | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Informality Rate | 47% | 55.7% | Increasing |
| Total Employment Growth | Baseline | +32.6% | Sharp Increase |
| Self-Employment Share | Lower | 48.1% | Historic High |
Where the Elderly are Working
While professional services like legal and accounting work remain avenues for some, the most dramatic shifts are occurring in labor-intensive and retail sectors. The construction industry and food trade have seen significant influxes of older workers.
Most striking is the growth in the retail sale of food and beverages. Participation of the 65+ demographic in this sector has exploded by 167% compared to 2016 levels. These roles—often involving long hours of standing and minimal benefits—provide the immediate cash flow necessary to cover daily expenses that pensions no longer meet.
This labor surge occurs against a backdrop of systemic financial instability. Family debt and payment arrears have reached their highest levels since 2004, as households are forced to use credit cards or loans to fund basic necessities, creating a cycle of debt that is nearly impossible to escape on a fixed income.
Disclaimer: This article provides a report on socio-economic data and trends. It does not constitute financial or legal advice.
As the economic climate remains volatile, the focus now shifts to the next release of the Permanent Household Survey (EPH) from INDEC, which will determine if this trend is a temporary reaction to inflation or a permanent structural change in the Argentine labor market. Official updates on pension adjustments and employment figures are typically published via the INDEC portal.
What are your thoughts on the rising trend of elderly employment in the face of inflation? Share your perspective in the comments or share this story on social media.
