Care work for older adults in Latin America and the Caribbean is increasingly vital as populations age, yet it remains largely invisible in labor statistics and is predominantly informal. Most caregivers, who are primarily women, work without contracts, social security, or stable incomes, leaving them vulnerable to unemployment and poverty in old age. The lack of recognition and certification of skills perpetuates precarious conditions, with long hours, emotional strain, and little institutional support.
Despite these challenges, progress has been made in professionalizing and formalizing the sector. Uruguay and Chile have introduced training and certification programs to elevate caregiving into a recognized occupation, improving service quality and career prospects. Argentina has advanced regulatory frameworks that include caregivers within domestic work regimes, ensuring minimum wages and social protections. Uruguay and Costa Rica stand out for their comprehensive national care systems, which set quality standards, promote training, and create stable demand for formal employment.
Technology is also beginning to reshape the sector. Digital platforms supported by institutions like the IDB and IDB Lab connect caregivers with families, allowing them to document experience, receive ratings, and improve employability. These platforms act as bridges between informality and a more transparent labor market.
Still, deeper structural reforms are needed to consolidate caregiving as decent work. Simplifying access to social security, creating incentives for formalization, and better coordination across social, labor, and fiscal policies are essential steps. Recognizing care work as an economic activity and investing in its professionalization is a strategic priority for societies facing rapid aging.
Ultimately, formalizing and protecting caregivers is not only about improving working conditions but also about ensuring that aging populations receive quality care. Transforming caregiving into decent work is both a social and economic imperative for the future of Latin America and the Caribbean.
