Journal Article Work-Related Opportunity Costs of Providing Unpaid Family Care in 2013 and 2050
Stipica Mudrazija
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This study assessed the impact of unpaid caregiving on the likelihood of working and hours worked for caregivers and calculated the related cost of forgone earnings in 2013 and 2050. The current economic cost is about $67 billion, which by midcentury will likely double to $132–$147 billion. Opportunity cost per caregiver will likely increase by 8–20 percent and per US resident by 54–72 percent. Future policy action could benefit from accounting for the economic costs in addition to the benefits of unpaid caregiving, which would help define the scope and size of programs needed to support caregivers.

You can read the article on Health Affairs' website (clicking on this link will take you to an external site).

Research Areas Education Health and health care Aging and retirement Race and equity Disability equity policy
Tags Economic well-being Older workers Disability and long-term care Racial and ethnic disparities Long-term services and support Family care and support Retirement policy Racial equity in education Racial inequities in employment Racial inequities in health
Policy Centers Income and Benefits Policy Center