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The relationship between elder care-giving and labour force participation in the context of policies addressing population ageing: a review of empirical studies published between 2006 and 2016

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2018

MARGARET MALKE MOUSSA Open the ORCID record for MARGARET MALKE MOUSSA [Opens in a new window]
MARGARET MALKE MOUSSA*
Affiliation:
Discipline of Economics, School of Business, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia.
*
Address for correspondence: Margaret Malke Moussa, School of Business, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia E-mail: M.Moussa@westernsydney.edu.au
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Abstract

This paper systematically reviews empirical research published between 2006 and 2016 on the relationship between informal care-giving to elders and labour force participation (LFP). It does so in the context of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development policy responses to population ageing. In this context, conclusions regarding the LFP and care-giving relationship should at least be applicable to the sub-population of working-aged individuals who are most likely to provide informal elder care. Currently, these are women in mid-life and the recipients of their care are mostly extra-residential parents. The review's key conclusion is that mid-life women care-givers of elderly parents are significantly likely to reduce their working hours and also to work fewer hours relative to their non-care-giving counterparts. In drawing this conclusion, the review shows that studies finding only modest care-giving effects on LFP either do not adequately control for care-giving intensity or their conclusions apply to sub-populations less likely to be affected by policies addressing population ageing.

Keywords

care-givinginformal careelder carelabour force participationpopulation ageing

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Type
Article
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Ageing & Society , Volume 39 , Issue 6 , June 2019 , pp. 1281 - 1310
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2018 

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