The International Labour Organization (ILO) has called on governments and policymakers around the world to increase investments in care infrastructure, saying such action could generate millions of jobs while addressing persistent gender inequalities in the labor market.
In a new report, the ILO highlights how unpaid and underpaid care work—ranging from childcare and eldercare to health and social services—remains a major barrier to women’s full participation in the workforce. The organization stressed that women continue to shoulder the bulk of unpaid domestic responsibilities, limiting their economic opportunities and reinforcing cycles of inequality.
The ILO estimates that significant public and private investment in care systems could not only expand employment in sectors such as healthcare, childcare, and social protection but also provide the foundation for more inclusive economic growth. “Care is the backbone of society, yet it is systematically undervalued,” the agency said, noting that better wages, decent working conditions, and improved infrastructure would transform care work from an invisible burden into a recognized driver of development.
By closing the gender gap in care responsibilities, the ILO believes economies could unlock trillions in potential GDP growth. Studies suggest that every dollar invested in care services generates more than double in economic return, given the ripple effects on employment, productivity, and social cohesion.
The organization also warned of the looming care crisis as populations age worldwide. Without proper investment, millions of elderly and vulnerable people risk being left without adequate support, while women will face increased pressure to fill the gap, often at the expense of their careers.
ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo emphasized that a new “care economy” could be the foundation of a fairer post-pandemic recovery. “By recognizing and rewarding care work, we not only promote gender equality but also ensure resilient societies,” he said.
The ILO urged countries to adopt policies such as expanded maternity and paternity leave, affordable childcare services, and training programs to professionalize care work. The call also includes recommendations for stronger international cooperation to ensure that care jobs come with decent pay, social protection, and safe working environments.
As governments prepare budgets and development strategies, the ILO’s message is clear: investing in care is not only a moral imperative but also an economic necessity that could reshape the global labor market for decades to come.
