The Employment Generation Impact of Meeting SDG Targets in Early Childhood Care, Education, Health and Long- Term Care in 45 Countries

This publication is part of a series of research papers that was commissioned as background research for the major ILO report Care work and care jobs for the future of decent work. It examines the role of investing in care work in future job creation. Based on the analysis of 45 countries, which represent 85 per cent of global GDP and close to 60 per cent of the global population and workforce, this microeconomic simulation study provides an estimation of the employment generation in care sectors, including early childhood care and education (ECCE), primary and secondary education, tertiary education, ill/patient care (short-term care) and long-term care for older persons and persons with disabilities (LTC). By estimating levels of required expenditure, the potential expansion of employment in education and health and social work is considered under a high road scenario and a status quo scenario. The status quo scenario is developed to keep the current coverage rates, quality standards and working conditions constant, based on the idea that there would be no change in the policy environment. On the other hand, the high road scenario builds on relevant targets set by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 3: good health and well-being, Goal 4: quality education, Goal 5: gender equality and Goal 8: decent work and economic growth.