Data on Individuals Who Have Left Workforce Due To Caregiving Responsibilities and Long-term Financial Impact of Caregiving-related Unemployment

In 2024, there were around 87,100 residents outside the labour force due to caregiving reasons. Among them, 20.9% were below 40 years of age, 25.1% were aged 40-49, 20.5% were aged 50-59 and 33.4% were aged 60 and above1.

Most caregivers outside the labour force were women (85.7%). We do not have data on the number of first-time caregivers.

We recognise the importance of addressing the long-term financial impact of caregiving-related unemployment. There are various Government interventions to help caregivers mitigate such impact. For example, caregivers who wish to re-enter the workforce can tap on employment facilitation and reskilling initiatives under SkillsFuture and Workforce Singapore (WSG) to improve their employability. This includes WSG's Career Conversion Programmes, Mid-Career Pathways Programme and the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme. Working caregivers may also be eligible for the Workfare Income Supplement, which supplements eligible lower-wage workers' income and retirement savings.

Eligible caregivers who are seniors can also benefit from additional support measures that supplement their retirement income and Central Provident Fund savings. In this regard, the Silver Support Scheme and Matched Retirement Savings Scheme were enhanced from January 2025, while the Majulah Package for seniors born in 1973 or earlier provided an additional boost to eligible seniors' retirement and healthcare adequacy, including those with caregiving duties.

Flexible work arrangements (FWAs) can help caregivers manage caregiving responsibilities and career aspirations. The Tripartite Guidelines on FWA Requests, which took effect in December last year, helps employers and caregivers navigate discussions about FWAs to arrive at mutually beneficial arrangements.