Gender stereotypes still shape care work in Europe
A new Insight Report from the EQUAL-CARE project shows that gender stereotypes continue to influence who provides care and how it is valued across Europe.
The comparative study across seven European countries (Italy, Spain, Lithuania, Greece, Slovenia, Finland, Austria) highlights both common challenges and different national approaches to gender equality in formal and informal care.
While care systems vary widely, care work remains highly feminised across all countries. Women make up more than two-thirds of the formal care workforce and most unpaid family carers. This reflects long-standing gender norms, but also policy choices.
The study also highlights the widespread undervaluation of care work. Despite the high level of skill, responsibility, and emotional labour involved, wages remain low in many countries. Some reforms, such as pay adjustments in Finland and new recognition measures in Austria and Slovenia, show progress but effective implementation is required.
Unpaid family carers, mainly women aged 40 to 65, are essential to care systems everywhere, yet the support they receive varies. While Spain and Austria have introduced measures to better recognise informal carers, support remains limited or uneven in countries like Lithuania and Greece.
The report highlights shared challenges across Europe, alongside differing national responses, and sets out policy recommendations at both national and EU level.