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James Fuccione
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The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation (MTF) released its Competitiveness Index and Companion Poll as they do each year to provide a holistic look at how Massachusetts compares to competitor states and to gauge the opinion of residents on how Massachusetts is doing.
The report notes that Massachusetts ranks in the “middle of the pack” compared to other states in terms of the percentage of the population age 65 and older. The report also promotes the value of older workers as a boost to the state’s economy.
The MTF report dedicates an entire page to the percentage of the population over 65. MTF raises some traditional data indicators that older adults tend to be less likely to be part of the labor force and that a larger share of older residents may mean less younger residents necessary to grow the labor force in future years. However, the report also states that while “those over 65 are generally less likely to be part of the labor force, [Massachusetts] continues to have a strong labor force participation rate, indicating that the state’s older population plays a key role in the workforce and in our economy.”
This is the third installment of the MTF Competitiveness Index, which is designed to provide residents, employers, and policymakers with a holistic assessment of how Massachusetts compares our regional and economic competitor states across 27 different metrics in four categories of competitiveness:
More information is available in the full report and supporting documents here.
The post Mass Taxpayers Foundation Releases 2026 Competitiveness Index and Poll Results with Strong Percentage of Older Workers appeared first on Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative.
The report notes that Massachusetts ranks in the “middle of the pack” compared to other states in terms of the percentage of the population age 65 and older. The report also promotes the value of older workers as a boost to the state’s economy.
The MTF report dedicates an entire page to the percentage of the population over 65. MTF raises some traditional data indicators that older adults tend to be less likely to be part of the labor force and that a larger share of older residents may mean less younger residents necessary to grow the labor force in future years. However, the report also states that while “those over 65 are generally less likely to be part of the labor force, [Massachusetts] continues to have a strong labor force participation rate, indicating that the state’s older population plays a key role in the workforce and in our economy.”
This is the third installment of the MTF Competitiveness Index, which is designed to provide residents, employers, and policymakers with a holistic assessment of how Massachusetts compares our regional and economic competitor states across 27 different metrics in four categories of competitiveness:
- Economic Health – fundamental elements of state economies;
- Population & Labor Force Trends – ongoing demographic, migration, and workforce patterns;
- Business, Employment & Investment Factors – how policy and investment decisions affect state business climates; and
- Resident Life – quality of life factors that impact residents every day.
- 2026 Competitiveness Poll – MTF partnered with MassInc Polling Group on a companion poll that surveyed residents on their views of living in Massachusetts, as well as its competitive strengths and weaknesses. This year’s poll was released on September 22nd. You can read an overview of the poll here and review topline results here.
The 2026 poll found:
- Massachusetts remains a desirable, though expensive, place to live, with most saying it is better than other states. Those in lower-income households or with less education are less likely to offer favorable reviews.
- Massachusetts is seen as better on education, health care, public service, and the strength of our local services, and worse on commute times and housing costs. Pessimism has grown as to the state of the country, while views of Massachusetts have stayed fairly stable.
- Affordability is by far the biggest concern for Massachusetts residents. It is the focus of residents’ state and national policy priorities and comes up throughout the survey. Housing costs are the top affordability issue, both in open-ended comments and several other places in the survey.
More information is available in the full report and supporting documents here.
The post Mass Taxpayers Foundation Releases 2026 Competitiveness Index and Poll Results with Strong Percentage of Older Workers appeared first on Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative.
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