Prognose: Studie: Mehr pflegende Erwerbstätige fehlen dem Arbeitsmarkt
Die meisten Pflegebedürftigen werden daheim betreut. Immer mehr pflegende Angehörige könnten künftig laut einer Prognose dem Arbeitsmarkt verloren gehen - vor allem Frauen.
A rising number of caregivers in the coming years could significantly negatively impact the labor market, according to a forecast. The Bertelsmann Stiftung and the Prognos research institute estimate that around 229,000 jobs could be at risk by 2045 if current conditions for caregivers remain unchanged. As the society continues to age and more people require care, the workforce will increasingly lose potential talent, hindering both personal career development and overall growth, the foundation predicts.
In Germany, approximately six million people require care, with three-quarters of them being cared for by family members at home. Around 4.6 million individuals - 8.7% of the working-age population - currently engage in caregiving activities. This number is expected to surge over the next 20 years, with 13.3% of the working population projected to provide care for relatives by 2045, primarily women.
Many people reduce their working hours or completely discontinue their jobs when caring for relatives. Women account for nearly two-thirds of caregivers, with 63% of them caring for relatives for at least ten hours per week, according to the latest data from 2023. Prognos expert Michaela Hermann emphasized that the growing demand for care should not lead to setbacks in gender equality.
She called on policymakers and businesses to take responsibility and better support caregivers by offering flexible work hours, remote working options, or assistance when returning to work after a break.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
