Care Is an Economic Necessity, Not Just a Family Responsibility | Opinion
Summary
Care is essential not just for families but for the economy because it enables people to work, learn, and stay independent. Many people, especially women, leave the workforce due to care responsibilities, and lack of access to care services leads to large economic costs worldwide.Key Facts
- In 2023, 748 million people were out of the global labor force because of care duties; 708 million of them were women.
- The International Labour Organization says a good care system supports families, strengthens workers, and boosts productivity.
- Vision problems affect at least one billion people globally, causing an estimated $411 billion loss in productivity each year.
- When people can’t get needed care, family members often provide help, which can reduce their ability to work or do other activities.
- Lack of care services, like childcare or long-term care, forces families to fill gaps, affecting household income and well-being.
- Barriers to care include distance, high costs, few providers, and poor awareness, especially in low-income countries.
- Care should be seen as part of a country’s infrastructure, similar to roads or electricity, because it supports daily life and economic activity.
- Access to care depends on affordability, availability, understanding, and ongoing support, not just having solutions available.
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