Caregiving dynamics and labor market outcomes of unorganized caregivers of older adults in Ghana

Background 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 the labor force participation and work hours of these unorganized caregivers. Method We used data from a sample of 1,806 unorganized caregivers in Ghana who provide care to older adults aged 60 and above. High-intensive caregivers were classified as those providing 20 hours of caregiving per week, while the caregiving burden was measured using the short version of the Zarit Burden Interview score. The results were based on the average marginal effect from a logistic regression model. Results The results showed that both high-intensity and high-burden caregiving have notable effects on labor force participation and the work hours of unorganized caregivers. High-intensive caregivers were associated with an approximately 12% increase in the probability of reducing work hours. Also, high-burden caregivers were found to be associated with a 7% increase in the probability of being self-employed. The combined effect of high-intensity and high-burden caregiving was found to amplify the labor market challenges, particularly in reducing work hours and limiting the ability to maintain stable employment. Conclusion These findings highlight the significant impact of unorganized caregiving on labor market outcomes, particularly for those providing intensive and high-burden care. Policymakers should consider these effects when designing support systems for caregivers to mitigate the negative impact on employment and income stability.​