An IDB Group-wide thematic initiative that accelerates investments to meet the rising demand for care, while driving growth, boosting productivity, and building a more equitable future for all
Care encompasses all paid and unpaid work to ensure people’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It includes relational care activities such as childcare, care for dependent older persons, healthcare, support for people with disabilities that require it and their caregivers, as well as household work and self-care practices. Care can be provided by public or private organizations or by individuals (family members or hired caregivers).
Care is essential work and a foundational pillar of well-being and economic growth, as all individuals require care at different stages of the life cycle. It underpins the functioning of societies and economies —care work makes all other work possible.
Childcare coverage ranges from less than 5% to just 40% across countries, less than 5% of older adults with care needs receive publicly funded services, and quality is often low. Women take on most of the care: they are 62% of the region's 161 million unpaid caregivers and provide 76% of all care hours.
Latin America and the Caribbean is aging at an unprecedented pace. By 2050, the share of people aged 65 and over is projected to double to 20% of the population, even as the working-age population shrinks and demand for care grows. As a result, combined health and pension costs are expected to rise by 6 percentage points of GDP over the next three decades.
Every dollar invested in care returns more than it costs. Expanding care services and infrastructure creates jobs, frees up caregivers' time (mostly women’s) to work and earn, helps children learn, reduces hospital stays, and makes public spending more efficient. It breaks the cycle of poverty: returns are highest in the most vulnerable households.
IDB Cares offers lending and technical assistance products tailored according to each country’s needs across three pillars:
High-quality care systems require enabling legal and institutional frameworks, sustainable financing, and strong institutional capacity and coordination across sectors.
Expanding access to quality care requires public and private investment in infrastructure and services, a professional and fairly compensated care workforce, and person-centered care delivery models.
A more equitable distribution of care requires policies that promote the participation of men and women alike, as well as shared responsibility and engagement from families, communities, and companies.
Download publications on care policy and systems and their connection with productivity.
Explore conversations, interviews, and experiences on the present and future of care.
The Long-Term Care Policy Network in Latin America and the Caribbean.