Structural change and occupational attainment in Monterrey, Mexico

Abstract

Latin American societies have experienced profound economic transformations in recent years. Yet, little is known about the effects of these transformations on occupational attainment and mobility. We study these effects in Monterrey, the third largest city of Mexico. We analyze two stages of men’s process of occupational attainment: the entry into the labor force and subsequent job shifts. Despite short-term negative effects in the 1980s, Monterrey’s labor market upgrading has continued, facilitating upward mobility. However, class of origin remains an important determinant of attainment, labor-market segmentation imposes barriers to mobility, and wages in non-manual occupations have decreased, thus imposing particular characteristics to occupational attainment.