Study: Family Care Threatens Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs in Germany
A study predicts the loss of 229,000 jobs in Germany by 2045 due to family care responsibilities.
Translated by Qiyas from الجريدة — Original source
Rising numbers of people caring for relatives could have tangible negative effects on Germany’s labor market in the coming years, according to a recent study.
A study prepared by the Bertelsmann Foundation and the Prognos Institute for Economic Consulting and Research indicates that approximately 229,000 jobs could be at risk by 2045 as a result.
The foundation warned that continuing current family caregiving arrangements, alongside ongoing societal aging and a growing number of people requiring care, will increasingly deplete the human resources available to the labor market. It explained that this will limit the professional development of those involved and could also negatively affect economic growth prospects.
Of the approximately six million people currently requiring care in Germany, three-quarters receive it at home from family members, according to the data. Around 4.6 million people currently provide this care, equivalent to 8.7% of the working-age population.
The number is expected to rise significantly over the next two decades. Estimates suggest that 13.3% of the working-age population will be caring for relatives by 2045, with women constituting the majority.
Many people reduce their working hours or leave employment entirely to care for relatives. Women currently make up about two-thirds of caregivers, accounting for 63% according to the latest available data for 2023.
Michaela Hermann, an expert at the Bertelsmann Foundation, noted that women’s share of the expected labor force losses is likely to increase, as they often bear caregiving responsibilities requiring at least ten hours per week.
According to projections for 2045, around 580,000 women are expected to reduce their working hours or stop working altogether due to caregiving responsibilities. This loss is equivalent to 173,000 full-time jobs, out of the total 229,000 jobs projected to be lost according to the study.
The foundation emphasized that policymakers must take action to address this issue, noting that companies also have a responsibility to provide better support for employees caring for relatives. This includes offering more flexible working hours, remote work options, and assistance for employees returning to work after a career break.
