Introduction to the National Care System and its Importance
The Claudia Sheinbaum administration in Mexico City is making strides towards establishing a National Care System, addressing one of the significant pending issues concerning women and fulfilling one of the 100 commitments made by Mexico’s first female president.
The Vision for a National and Progressive Care System
Patricia Carranza, General Director of Intelligence, Innovation, and Strategic Planning for the Continuous Improvement of Programs at the Secretariat of Women, emphasized that the proposed National Care System should not only be nationwide but also progressive.
“We aim for the Mexican government to consider a national and progressive care system, one that is sustainable over time and continuously expands its reach,” Carranza stated in an interview.
Identifying Relevant Programs
Since the beginning of 2023, Carranza and her team have collaborated with various governmental departments and the Secretariat of Public Finance to identify programs that align with care-related activities, either directly or indirectly.
A total of 49 programs across 18 government branches were identified, impacting care in direct or indirect ways. These programs are proposed to receive a combined budget of 466,674 million pesos in the Federal Budget Proposal for 2026.
Setting Objectives for the National Care System
With this recognition, six key objectives have been outlined:
- Recognize the value of care work: Acknowledge and appreciate the importance of care-related tasks.
- Reduce family time spent on care: Minimize the burden on families by distributing care responsibilities more equitably.
- Redistribute care more equitably: Ensure a fairer distribution of care tasks among individuals and communities.
- Expand care services coverage: Increase access to care services for those who need them.
- Reduce barriers to care access: Eliminate obstacles preventing individuals from accessing necessary care.
- Ensure care relevance: Tailor care services to meet the specific needs of diverse populations.
The Aging Population and Care Needs
Mexico, like many other countries, is experiencing an aging population. This demographic shift poses financial challenges for public finances and increases the demand for care services, which predominantly fall on women.
“We are aware that Mexico’s population is aging. Consequently, the care sector will need to be progressively consolidated. Eventually, care work will become significantly more crucial, requiring the sector’s consolidation,” Carranza explained.
To address this, care work should be professionalized and remunerated, ensuring broader coverage for not just elderly individuals but also early childhood care, people with disabilities, and those suffering from illnesses or limitations.
The Current State of Care in Mexico
Historically, a National Care System has been overlooked in Mexico, affecting women’s economic, social, and professional development, along with their physical and mental health due to the heavy workload.
According to Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi), in 2022, there were 31.7 million Mexicans engaged in care work, with 75.1% being women.
The Encuesta Nacional de Ingresos y Gastos de los Hogares (ENIGH) 2024 revealed that, on average, women dedicate 12% more weekly hours to care work compared to men. This amounts to 76.1 hours per week for women and 67.6 hours for men, equivalent to over a full workday.
“Developing a robust care system will free up time and create job opportunities for millions of women. If those currently outside the labor force but interested in remunerated work—currently dedicating their time to unpaid care—could join the labor market, female employment could increase by 2.6 million people,” Hacienda stated in the General Criteria of Economic Policy 2026.
