Baseline Study on Gender-Responsive Care Economy in Kosovo: Investing in Care for Equality, Employment and Sustainable Development

The study examines care services, employment opportunities, financing mechanisms, and policy gaps across childcare, eldercare, disability support, health, and social services.

The analysis finds that while important legal and policy reforms have been introduced in recent years, significant challenges remain in ensuring accessible, affordable, and quality care services. Structural gaps in financing, governance, workforce development, and service provision continue to limit the effectiveness and expansion of care systems.

The report underscores the strong link between care systems and women's economic participation. Women continue to shoulder the majority of unpaid care responsibilities, which affects their access to employment, income generation, and opportunities for professional development. According to the study, expanding care services could help reduce these barriers while contributing to greater gender equality and social inclusion.

Importantly, the analysis estimates that closing existing coverage gaps in education and health-related care services could generate between 17,000 and 22,000 new jobs, with a significant share of these opportunities benefiting women. Investments in care are therefore presented not only as a social necessity but also as a strategic economic opportunity capable of supporting employment, human capital development, and long-term growth.

The study calls for a shift from viewing care as a welfare expenditure to recognizing it as essential social and economic infrastructure. It recommends strengthening financing mechanisms, expanding care services, improving coordination among institutions, formalizing care work, and integrating gender-responsive budgeting and policy approaches across sectors.

Produced under the "TransformCare: Data and Investment Analysis for Gender-Responsive Care Systems in Kosovo" project, the study contributes to strengthening evidence-based policymaking and advancing dialogue on how investments in care can support inclusive development, gender equality, and improved well-being for al