2015年-世界发展银行全球_Why_Should_We_Care_about_Care____The_Role_of_Childcare_and_Eldercare_in_Former_Yugoslav_Republic_of_Macedonia_43页_1004kb

Summary of "Why Should We Care About Care? The Role of Childcare and Eldercare in Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia"

Core Content

This document explores the role of childcare and eldercare in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYR Macedonia), emphasizing their impact on women's labor market participation, economic growth, and social development. It presents findings based on a new, independent mixed-methods dataset, which includes both quantitative surveys and qualitative focus group discussions (FGDs), to analyze the supply and demand dynamics of formal and informal care services in the Western Balkans region.

Main Determinants and Key Findings

1. Childcare Supply

• Limited Availability and Over Capacity:
  • Childcare facilities in FYR Macedonia are limited in number and often at over capacity.
  • In urban areas, the main challenges are insufficient facilities and restricted enrollment capacity.
  • In rural areas, childcare services are nearly absent, with only part-time compulsory pre-schooling available in some villages.
• Unaffordability:
  • Cost is a major barrier to childcare use.
  • Many families find childcare services too expensive, especially in urban areas.
• Quality:
  • The quality of childcare is relatively good, but human resource challenges remain.
  • There is a need for better training and recruitment of caregivers to improve service quality.
• Formal vs. Informal Care:
  • Most childcare needs are met through informal care or a combination of formal and informal care.
  • Only 21.5% of women in FYR Macedonia use formal childcare services.
  • Formal childcare is predominantly used by working mothers, with over 60% of users in the field study being children of working women.

2. Eldercare Supply

• Limited and Expensive Services:
  • Residential eldercare is limited and expensive.
  • Day-based services are almost non-existent.
• Quality Issues:
  • Quality of eldercare is relatively low, with major challenges in infrastructure and safety.
• Formal vs. Informal Care:
  • Most eldercare needs are met through informal care.
  • Only 4.7% of women in FYR Macedonia use formal eldercare services.
  • Formal care is mostly used by a small group, indicating a lack of demand and accessibility.

3. Demand for Childcare

• Main Determinants:
  • Perception of benefits for child development.
  • Need for support for working or willing-to-work mothers.
• Perceptions of Quality:
  • High quality perception is a strong determinant of childcare use.
• Social Norms:
  • Social norms are less constraining in FYR Macedonia compared to other regions.
  • This allows for more flexibility in childcare use.

4. Demand for Eldercare

• Main Determinants:
  • Filial obligations and social norms are strong deterrents to residential eldercare use.
  • Women are more likely to provide care for the elderly, but this is often seen as a burden rather than a responsibility.
• Perceptions and Norms:
  • Day-care centers and home-based formats are more aligned with social norms.
  • There is a need to shift perceptions and norms to support the use of formal eldercare services.

Policy Recommendations

• Expand Public Childcare Centers:
  • Increase the availability of publicly provided childcare to meet demand and reduce unaffordability.
• Public Subsidies for Private Childcare:
  • Implement subsidies to make childcare more affordable for working families.
• Education and Accreditation Programs:
  • Develop programs to train and accredit caregivers and care-entrepreneurs.
• Improve Quality of Care Services:
  • Focus on improving infrastructure and safety, especially in eldercare.
• Legal and Regulatory Frameworks:
  • Revise legal frameworks to be more adaptable to the needs and expectations of care providers and users.

Economic and Social Implications

• Gender Gaps and Labor Participation:
  • 50% of working-age women in FYR Macedonia are not in the labor market, largely due to care responsibilities.
  • Closing this gap could increase GDP by up to 15%.
• Impact on Women’s Earnings and Pension:
  • Caregiving leads to lower wages and reduced human capital accumulation.
  • This results in long-term economic vulnerability and lower pension accumulation.
• Importance of Formal Care Services:
  • Formal care services are crucial for enabling women to participate in the labor market and for the development of a sustainable care industry.
  • Improved access to quality childcare and eldercare can enhance labor force participation and productivity.

Conclusion

The document highlights the critical role of childcare and eldercare in addressing gender-based inequalities and promoting economic growth in FYR Macedonia. It underscores the need for policy interventions that improve access, affordability, and quality of formal care services, particularly eldercare, to support women's labor market participation and ensure sustainable development.