Overview

The demographic shift towards an ageing global population is already increasing the demand for care and support. Today, the world has 807.8 million people aged 65 and older, a six-fold increase since 1950. By 2050, 55% of the 2 billion older people will be female, with 59% aged 80+, primarily residing in lower- and middle-income countries. On 29 October 2023, the world celebrates the first International Day of Care and Support, following a resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. It aims to spotlight the vital role of care and support in promoting gender equality and the sustainability of societies and economies. To achieve this, care and support systems need to address the intersections of gender, age and disability. On this occasion, this research highlight outlines the significant contributions older women make and the multiple disadvantages they face from the perspective of their participation in care work (both formal and informal).