Fed up workers... except in Mexico

While artificial intelligence promises to revolutionize work, most people around the world find their jobs unfulfilling. According to the recently released State of the Global Workplace 2025 report, prepared by Gallup with data from more than 140 countries, the world of work is mired in a deep crisis of emotional disengagement. Only 21% of global employees feel engaged in their work, a drop equal to that recorded during the worst months of the pandemic. The estimated cost: $438 billion in lost productivity.

But there is one surprising exception: Mexico.

Here, 30% of workers say they feel engaged in their work. What's more, 54% say they are "thriving" in their personal lives, a figure that surpasses much wealthier countries like Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

How can this contradiction be explained in a country where more than half of jobs are informal, wages are low, and job security is poor?

Data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) help explain this. According to its November 2024 National Well-being Survey, Mexicans rate their life satisfaction at 8.4 out of 10. They value their personal relationships, housing, occupation, and future prospects the least. What they value most is public safety and the current state of the country.

The paradox is disturbing: the average Mexican feels better about himself than the average employee in a developed economy. Perhaps because he still retains what many societies have lost: human ties, close family, a sense of belonging, and a remarkable capacity to adapt to chaos.

Furthermore, in the Mexican workplace, even with its structural deficiencies, cultural elements persist that mitigate discomfort: closeness with colleagues, informality in hierarchical relationships, a sense of humor, and a collaborative spirit. It's not that the job is good, but rather that the human environment continues to offer emotional refuge. This explains why, despite the precariousness, millions of workers don't feel empty or alienated.

That doesn't mean Mexico is doing well. It means it could be much better if something were done to harness that potential.

Gallup estimates that if a country raises its employee engagement level to that of the best organizations (around 70%), its economy can grow by up to 9 percent. In Mexico, that would amount to more than $100 billion in additional revenue each year. The key lies in the leaders: 70% of a team's engagement depends directly on its manager. And yet, most of them don't receive basic training.

What this report reveals is that the world is tired of work and that for millions, work has ceased to have meaning. In this context, Mexico stands out not for the strength of its economy or institutions, but for its ability to preserve a certain human connection in the workplace. This cultural advantage offers a concrete opportunity. If strengthened with leadership, training, and people-centered policies, it could translate into greater productivity and well-being. If ignored, Mexico will follow the same path of exhaustion and disconnection faced by so many other societies.

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