To quantify the economic value of unpaid care work, assess the gender distribution of care responsibilities globally, and evaluate the most effective policy interventions for reducing the care penalty on womens economic participation

Analysis of time-use survey data from 80 countries to quantify unpaid care work by gender, economic valuation of care work using replacement cost and opportunity cost methods, and comparative assessment of care policy interventions in 20 countries including parental leave, childcare subsidies, and long-term care systems.

Women perform 76% of all unpaid care work globally, representing 9 trillion dollars of economic value that is invisible in GDP accounting. Key findings: (1) The gender care gap costs women an estimated 360,000 dollars in lifetime earnings, with the widest gaps in MENA and South Asia.

(2) Countries with comprehensive childcare systems (Nordic model) show 80%+ female labor force participation vs 30% in countries without. (3) Paid parental leave that is non-transferable (use it or lose it) increases mens uptake from 15% to 60%, shifting the care distribution. 3 billion people will need care, creating 475 million new jobs if properly funded.

(5) Long-term care insurance (Japan model) reduces the care burden on women by 40% while creating 2 million care jobs. (6) Childcare subsidies show 3:1 return through increased tax revenue from womens labor participation. (7) The WID 2026 finds that accounting for unpaid care work would reduce measured global inequality by 15-25%.