Factores determinantes para la afiliación voluntaria a la seguridad social de profesionales libres y trabajadores informales. Estudio de corte transversal para la ciudad de Cuenca en 2023

Abstract

The research explores the determining factors of voluntary affiliation to social security among informal workers and self-employed professionals in Cuenca in 2023, using a binomial probability econometric model that unravels the complexities of the individual decision regarding social protection. Through a thorough information gathering via survey, the study reveals a multifaceted landscape where variables such as age, family influence, pension, lack of knowledge about benefits, and the time spent on the activity emerge as positive catalysts for voluntary affiliation. In contrast, factors such as age squared, service provision, the transportation sector, having debts, and household members act as barriers that reduce the likelihood of voluntary contributions. The results not only validate existing theoretical arguments but also provide critical insights for the design of more inclusive public policies, challenging traditional paradigms of social protection and offering a transformative perspective that encourages rethinking the mechanisms for integrating labor-vulnerable populations within the Ecuadorian context.