The Philippines is heading toward a care crisis as demand for caregiving services rises faster than the country’s capacity to provide support, according to state-run policy think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).

In a statement on Thursday, May 7, PIDS said its recent study titled “The Future Demand for Care in the Philippines” warned that the country is entering a period in which fewer caregivers will be available to support a growing number of dependents due to population aging, persistent health challenges, and changing family structures.

Authored by PIDS senior research fellow Aubrey Tabuga, research specialist John Joseph Ocbina, and research analysts Kevin Robert Pilar Jr. and Jorge Kerby Limqueco, the study noted that the Philippines is expected to become an aging society by 2030, with older persons already accounting for 8.5 percent of the population.

At the same time, non-communicable diseases account for 64 percent of deaths in the country, increasing the need for long-term and intensive care services.

The study also pointed out that shrinking family sizes are leaving fewer caregivers available to support more people requiring care.

Most caregiving responsibilities continue to be shouldered by households rather than formal institutions, with women bearing the bulk of unpaid care work.

Filipino women spend an average of 28 hours weekly on unpaid care work, more than three times the 8.6 hours spent by men, according to the study.

Women also recorded significantly lower labor force participation at 50.3 percent compared to 72.5 percent for men.

Among married women who are not working, 88 percent cited household and family responsibilities as the primary reason, compared to only 15 percent of married men.

“Filipino women continue to bear the disproportionate burden of unpaid care and domestic work,” the study noted.

This dynamic, according to the authors, “significantly restricts their participation in the paid economy.”

Care services in the Philippines remain largely home-based, with families relying heavily on relatives instead of professional support systems.

The study noted that the country has limited formal elderly care facilities and a constrained supply of trained care workers.

Access to care services also varies widely by income level.

Households that spend on elderly care allocate an average of ₱33,278 annually, equivalent to 6.8 percent of their expenses, although higher-income households spend significantly more than poorer families.

Even public care services are more accessible to wealthier households, the study said.

Meanwhile, spending on childcare averages only ₱3,577 yearly, reflecting the continued reliance of families on unpaid caregiving from parents, grandparents, and extended relatives.

The burden is even heavier for families caring for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

The study found that eight in 10 Filipino adults experience some level of disability, while nearly 90 percent of older persons have at least moderate disability.

About 1.6 million children also live with disabilities, with many families reporting unmet care needs.

The cost of raising a child with a disability can also be up to 80 percent higher, according to the study.

PIDS researchers also highlighted the impact of labor migration, noting that the Philippines remains one of the world’s leading sources of care workers, many of whom seek higher-paying jobs overseas.

While overseas employment provides additional income for families, it also creates care gaps domestically, with caregiving duties often shifted to relatives left behind.

“At present, the care landscape is characterized by limited access to care services, an underdeveloped care industry, a lack of qualified care workers and professionals, and uneven distribution of existing facilities,” the authors emphasized.

The study noted that despite increasing demand for care services, many Filipino families still prefer home-based and family-oriented caregiving arrangements over paid childcare or institutional elderly care.

“Care provision is primarily home-based and family oriented,” the study stated, adding that this setup “reinforces gender norms in care provision.”

The researchers also pointed to fragmented governance and inconsistent implementation of existing care-related programs.

To address these challenges, the study urged stronger investments in the care economy, including expanded infrastructure, workforce development, improved service delivery, and better coordination among government agencies.

The authors also emphasized the need for policies encouraging shared caregiving responsibilities, including flexible work arrangements and programs promoting a more equitable division of unpaid work.

“Achieving a more inclusive and gender-equitable care economy will require sustained investments in quality care services, robust data systems, and initiatives that actively reshape social norms,” the authors emphasized.