Prioritizing the Care Economy for an Inclusive Sri Lanka

Abstract

Unpaid care and domestic work (UCDW) sustains households and supports the functioning of the broader economy, yet it remains largely invisible in economic policy and national accounting frameworks in Sri Lanka. Performed predominantly by women, UCDW includes childcare, eldercare, cooking, cleaning, and other household maintenance activities that shape well-being, labour market participation, and gender relations. This paper synthesizes findings from two studies: a desk-based review of Sri Lanka’s care economy and a valuation of UCDW using data from the 2017 National Time Use Survey. Using replacement cost methods, the study estimates that the value of unpaid care and domestic work is equivalent to approximately 14% of GDP, with women contributing 86% of this value. The findings highlight the substantial but unrecognized economic contribution of care work and its implications for female labour force participation, gender inequality, and social welfare. The paper identifies significant gaps in care-related policies and services and argues for greater recognition of UCDW within economic policymaking through improved measurement, satellite accounting, expanded care services, and policies that promote a more equitable distribution of care responsibilities. Prioritizing the care economy, the paper argues, is essential for inclusive growth, social well-being, and economic resilience in Sri Lanka.