EU – Closing the Gender Care Gap: Better Support for Formal and Informal Careers
Author: Administrator
Date: June 19, 2026
EU – Closing the Gender Care Gap: Better Support for Formal and Informal Careers
21-05-2026:
- Care services still carried out mainly by women Informal careers need to be recognized in social security systems and pension schemes
- Rising demand for care due to demographic change
Parliament wants to encourage men to take up an equal share of caregiving
responsibilities © nataliaderiabina / Adobe Stock
On Thursday, Parliament presented recommendations to move towards a society
that promotes equality between men and women in formal and informal care.
In a report adopted in plenary by 263 votes to 83 and with 154 abstentions,
MEPs state that access to care is a fundamental right and urge EU countries
to address gender inequality across all forms of care. MEPs advocate for a
“care society” that prioritises home and community-based services,
intergenerational solidarity, and independent living. Given demographic
trends, they demand sustainable funding and a person-centred, rights-based
approach.
Parliament is calling for a “European careers’ statute” to recognize care
work and to set minimum standards across the EU. MEPs also want to make sure
informal careers are recognized in pension schemes and social security
systems.
Equal share of care duties
Care responsibilities should not fall disproportionately on women, MEPs say.
Gender equality in caregiving requires the sharing of duties, accessible
care services, equal pay, parental leave, and flexible work arrangements.
Parliament calls for awareness campaigns to encourage men to take up an
equal share of caregiving, boost women’s participation in the labour market,
and challenge traditional gender stereotypes.
Non-EU workers in the care sector
Recognizing that care work is done by both EU and non-EU workers, MEPs
stress the need to prioritise domestic recruitment while tailoring
immigration management to labour market needs. The recruitment of non-EU
workers must happen through legal migration channels, combined with strong
investment in training and integration. MEPs also strongly condemn all forms
of undeclared work, exploitation and precarious employment.
European action plan: MEPs welcome the European Commission’s announcement that it will present a European “care deal” in 2027. They call for specific measures to help close the gender care gap and support formal and informal carers, with a focus on employment and training,
including digital skills, social protection, childcare, and psychosocial support.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52026DC0113&qid=1776075756540
Quotes
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/256943/ELEONORA_MELETI/home
Eleonora Meleti (EPP, Greece) rapporteur for the Employment and Social
Affairs Committee, said: “There are 6.2 million formal careers and 53 million
informal careers in the EU. They provide presence, patience, and a human
touch. Today’s report finally recognises care as a pillar of our society and
economy, not an invisible job that we take for granted. For professional
caregivers, we want better working conditions, fair pay, and psychological
support. We want flexible working conditions, and care leave for informal
caregivers. The burden of caregiving still disproportionately falls on
women, even as it should be the responsibility of all of us.”
<https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/96811/ROSA_ESTARAS+FERRAGUT/home>
Rosa Estaràs Ferragut (EPP, Spain) rapporteur for the Women’s Rights and
Gender Equality Committee, said: “Women continue to carry a disproportionate
burden of both formal and informal care and spend 17 hours per week more
than men on unpaid care work. This invisible work continues to fuel the wage
gap and the pension gap. At the same time, professional care work remains
undervalued and underfunded. Affordable, accessible, and high-quality care
is a right for everyone, including people living in rural and remote areas.
No one should reach old age without access to proper care. I welcome the
announcement of a European care deal for 2027. This must become our roadmap
for building a fairer and more caring Europe.”
Background
The work involved in providing care is often invisible and is carried out
predominantly by women: 56% of women with children under 12 spend at least
five hours per day on childcare, compared with 26% of men, according to the European
Institute for Gender Equality. https://eige.europa.eu/publications-resources/publications/better-work-life-balance-bridging-gender-care-gap?language_content_entity=en
On 5 March, the European Commission presented a
gender equality strategy. https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/gender-equality/gender-equality-strategy_en
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