Caregiving Dynamics and Labor Market Outcomes of Unorganized Caregivers of Older Adults in Ghana

Abstract

Unorganized caregivers increasingly face significant challenges that impact their participation in the labor market, particularly in low and middle income countries. This paper explores the effects of both care intensity and the subjective caregiving burden on labor force participation and work hours of these caregivers. Data were drawn from a sample of 1,806 unorganized caregivers in Ghana caring for older adults aged 60+. High intensity caregivers (??20 hours/week) and caregiving burden (measured via the short Zarit Burden Interview) were analyzed using logistic regression models reporting average marginal effects. High intensity caregiving was associated with a ~12% increase in the probability of reducing work hours. High burden caregiving correlated with a ~7% higher probability of being self employed. The combined effect intensified labor market challenges, notably reducing work hours and limiting stable employment. These findings highlight how intensive and burdensome caregiving markedly impact labor market outcomes among unorganized caregivers. Policymakers should design support systems to mitigate these employment and income stability effects.