Present situation

Since the 1990s, European societies have faced the challenge of developing Long-Term Care (LTC) systems to address ageing populations while balancing high-quality care, promoting employment for women and older workers, expanding service jobs, and containing social expenditure.
The COVID-19 pandemic and demographic shifts have highlighted LTC’s structural shortcomings. Fragmented LTC policies lead to overlaps and gaps in services, varying widely due to differing investments and societal beliefs. Rising care demands, austerity measures, and reliance on informal caregivers strain working conditions for care workers.

Low pay, precarious jobs, understaffing, and high turnover characterize care employment, compounded by complex care needs and a growing reliance on migrant workers. Multiple supranational actors, including the WHO and OECD, stress the need for integrated, inclusive LTC policies. The EU’s Care Strategy and National Recovery Plans aim for reform, promoting quality LTC services, better job conditions, and sustainability. This approach seeks to enhance job quality, sector resilience, and gender equality.