Transforming the Care Economy

About this Topic

Asia and the Pacific have the world’s highest inequality concerning unpaid care, with women undertaking four times more unpaid care work than men. Covid-19 and climate impacts have laid bare the inadequacy and fragility of care systems, driving a call for urgent, equitable action. The Asia Foundation is at the forefront of this work, joining forces with governments, the private sector, civil society, and philanthropic allies. Together, we’re reshaping care policies, influencing care systems, and amplifying care movements. From childcare to disability and eldercare, we are charting a course using data-driven insights and strategic investments and supporting grassroots networks to create resilient care ecosystems.

Latest Publications

  • Care Economy Dialogue: Toward a Resilient and Sustainable Care Economy in Malaysia

    Care Economy Dialogue: Toward a Resilient and Sustainable Care Economy in Malaysia

  • Roadmap for Action on the Care Economy in Asia and the Pacific

    Roadmap for Action on the Care Economy in Asia and the Pacific

  • Toward a Resilient Care Ecosystem in Asia and the Pacific

    Toward a Resilient Care Ecosystem in Asia and the Pacific

News and Highlights

  • The Global Roadmap for Action on the Care Economy

    The Global Roadmap for Action on the Care Economy

    The caregiving crisis of Covid-19 and long-term trends such as aging populations have thrown a spotlight on the gaps in the global care economy. This Roadmap points to the way forward.

  • Professionalizing Care Work in Malaysia

    Professionalizing Care Work in Malaysia

    Malaysia’s aging population is expected to surpass 6 million by 2040, and the growing exit of women from the workforce due to caregiving responsibilities highlights the critical need for comprehensive care services by both the government and civil society. The Asia Foundation, through the Australia-Malaysia Reform Partnership (AMRP) is addressing these challenges by fostering collaborations…

  • Understanding the “Care Economy”

    Understanding the “Care Economy”

    If all the world’s care workers were one national economy, it would be among the largest, in hours worked, in the world. It would also consist mostly of women, and they would be mostly unpaid.

  • Toward a Resilient Care Ecosystem in Asia and the Pacific: Reflections on the Bali Care Economy Dialogue

    Toward a Resilient Care Ecosystem in Asia and the Pacific: Reflections on the Bali Care Economy Dialogue

    The Asia Foundation, UN Women, and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are pleased to invite you to a virtual reflection session that will provide an overview of […]

  • Care Economy a Key Focus of The Asia Foundation’s Work

    Care Economy a Key Focus of The Asia Foundation’s Work

    Globally, care workers support over one billion people, including young children, aging adults, and people with disabilities. While some are paid for this work, most care providers are unpaid and […]

  • Experts to Call for Policy Reform in the Care Sector Across Asia-Pacific

    Experts to Call for Policy Reform in the Care Sector Across Asia-Pacific

    A high-level meeting in Bali, Indonesia, this week will seek to position care work as a priority for economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region, where women perform 80 percent of […]

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