The Federal Administration Acknowledges the Need for a Care System
The federal administration in Mexico recognizes that the absence of a care system undermines the productivity and competitiveness of the country. Experts estimate that increased female participation in the labor market could add 6.9 billion pesos to the GDP by 2035.
The National Care System (NCS) as a Priority for the Federal Government
The National Care System (NCS) is a priority for the federal government to achieve a sustained increase in Mexico’s competitiveness and productivity by 2030, as outlined in the Special Program for Productivity and Competitiveness 2025-2030, which took effect on October 30.
The program acknowledges that the lack of support for care of vulnerable individuals, such as children and older adults, has negative implications for the economy.
The Disproportionate Impact on Women
This absence primarily affects women, who, due to gender stereotypes, assume caregiving responsibilities and face a double burden of work or quit their jobs, reducing their participation in the productive force. According to INEGI’s National Care System Survey, 86.9% of primary caregivers are women, while only 13.1% are men.
Sandra, a woman who wished to remain anonymous, shared her struggle when her caregiving responsibilities conflicted with work. She contemplated quitting her job when a care arrangement fell through, a situation that leads many women to abandon their jobs to care for family members.
Internationally, 708 million women leave their paid employment to engage in unpaid care work, such as cleaning, cooking, and caring for the elderly, according to UN data.
Unpaid Care Sustains the Work Sphere
Unpaid care, ranging from grocery shopping to attending to dependent older adults, accounts for approximately 26% of Mexico’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or around 8.4 billion pesos, according to the latest Cuenta Satélite del Trabajo no Remunerado de los Hogares en México by INEGI.
“One of every four pesos produced in the economy is related to care. In simple terms, if there were no care tasks, we couldn’t generate other productive activities,” explains Paola Vázquez, an economist and coordinator of the Sociedad program at the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO).
Care System: A Priority to Boost the Economy
A National Care System with public, private, and civil society participation paves the way for more women to have time to join the labor market.
“The most direct connection between the care system and the productivity and competitiveness agenda lies in freeing up time for women, primarily caregivers who cannot currently participate in or fully engage in the labor market due to their caregiving responsibilities,” comments Fátima Masse, co-founder of Noubi Advisors.
Currently, women’s economic participation stands at 46%. However, reaching the OCDE average of 67% would add 6.9 billion pesos to the economy by 2035, according to IMCO calculations mentioned by Paola Vázquez.
Challenges in Implementing a Care System in Mexico
Establishing a functioning National Care System presents various challenges, from budgetary matters to cultural shifts, according to experts.
One primary challenge, as highlighted by Paola Vázquez, is allocating direct budget resources to the care system. Although this administration has included resources for care for the first time, they are directed through the transversal Anexo 31, which redistributes existing funds rather than adding new ones.
With the budget, another challenge is developing infrastructure that understands and addresses the diverse populations with care needs. “It’s not just about building institutions but doing so while fostering this understanding,” emphasizes the IMCO specialist.
Additionally, harmonizing existing care policies with the new system is crucial. “We should be discussing both new and improved existing policies to establish a cohesive care system,” stresses Vázquez.
For instance, she points out the discrepancies in maternity and paternity leave policies. Maternity leave can extend up to three months, while paternity leave offers only five days for men, which are more like permissions than obligations.
Fátima Masse identifies another challenge as coordinating among municipal, state, and federal governments to ensure the care system reaches those in need.
“Intergovernmental dialogue is essential because, while this plan may be national in scope, it ultimately materializes at the municipal level,” she notes.
Lastly, generating information on care system implementation, progress, and needs is vital. Having indicators that demonstrate the system’s tangible impact prevents it from remaining merely a narrative.
