February 20, 2026
Caregiving From Around the World: What Canada Can Learn
While there isn’t an official number, it’s estimated that 43% of the worldwide population is providing unpaid care to family members, friends, or neighbours, making family caregiving a global experience. The International Labour Organization estimates that 748 million people aged 15 and older have stepped away from the workforce entirely because of caregiving responsibilities, and that doesn’t even count the hundreds of millions more who are trying to balance paid work with their caregiving duties.
These numbers tell us something important. Caregiving isn’t just a personal issue or even a national one, but a fundamental part of how human societies function. When we look at how different countries support their caregivers, we can find inspiration in approaches that are working well and lessons that can help shape better support systems everywhere.
The Irish, UK, and Australian Model: Providing Financial Security
While not encompassing all family caregivers, Ireland provides a basic level of financial security for its most vulnerable caregivers. For caregivers who care for at least 35 hours a week, the Statutory Carer’s Allowance provides a weekly payment to help assist with the cost of caregiving. An annual Carer’s support grant is also given to some caregivers as a means of helping with their costs, and can be spent however they choose.
Ireland also provides home care support services. Although availability varies by region, services are categorized according to the caregiver’s needs. The aim is to help people stay healthy and live in their own homes for as long as possible, while also supporting caregivers in their daily care activities.
Both Australia and the United Kingdom offer national family caregiver payments or allowances along with employment protections. While these systems aren’t perfect and can involve some restrictions, they represent a clear acknowledgment that caregivers deserve financial support. These countries have made caregiver compensation a regular part of their social support infrastructure rather than treating it as an exceptional circumstance.
Germany: When Insurance Recognizes Care
Germany’s universal long-term care insurance system is an intriguing model. When someone needs care, they can receive cash benefits or services. These cash benefits can also be used to compensate family members who provide care. The system makes contributions to caregivers’ social security, safeguarding their future financial security. Short-term paid leave is also available when acute caregiving situations arise, recognizing that care needs are not always predictable.
This approach is important because it treats family caregiving as real work that deserves real compensation and protection, rather than an obligation that people should simply absorb into their lives.
Spain: Creating Recognition Through Definition
With almost two million family caregivers in the country (one of the highest numbers of informal caregivers in the EU), Spain created recognition by putting caregivers into law with a concrete definition under the National Dependency Law in 2007. With one of the largest issues being recognition and self-identification as a caregiver, having this law-bound definition helps family caregivers come forward for the help they need.
Access to respite care is another service Spain provides. With an average of 19 hours spent caregiving each week, respite care can help caregivers maintain a work-life balance. Spain manages this with day/night care centres that aim to help. While these centres vary in availability based on region, they can help as a support service for caregivers who are already struggling to make time for themselves. Additional services offered with government support include temporary residential care services, home assistance services, home-tele assistance, and subsidies for home adaptation.
Looking Forward
While Canada does offer some benefits for family caregivers both federally and provincially, these worldwide examples provide frameworks for how countries around the world are attempting to help support the enormous number of people providing care in different areas. The unpaid work of family caregiving happening globally is equivalent to roughly 9 percent of global GDP. That’s not a problem any country can ignore, and it’s certainly not one that families should face alone.
These examples from around the world show us there are workable models for providing meaningful caregiver support. Countries like Japan, Sweden, Spain, Australia, the UK, Germany and Ireland provide different levels of financial support, recognition, and protection of the long term security and well-being of caregivers. These are just some of the successes these countries have had in ensuring that caregiving is seen as a societal responsibility, not just a private family matter.
As we continue conversations about how to best support family caregivers, these international examples offer inspiring examples of what’s possible when we recognize caregiving as essential work that strengthens our entire society.
