Care Work in China Who does care work, what is its economic value and how has it been affected by Covid-19
Care work is of growing importance to China’s economic and social development. From the demand side, demographic change, prolonged life expectancy and population aging, together with policy adjustments such as the relaxation of the “one-child policy”, create an increased need for care provision and services. In terms of supply, Chinese households have become smaller, and the dependency ratio has risen (that is the share of working-age population has declined), resulting in reduced capacity of families to provide care for their members. At the same time, the emerging paid care sector remains fragile. This mismatch between demand for and supply of care services is reflected in the heavy burden of unpaid care work undertaken within the household – work which is largely undertaken by women. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the close connection between paid and unpaid care work and its impact on women’s employment.