Financing care infrastructure: An opportunity for public development banks to pave the way for tomorrow’s equality

This report from UN Women and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) makes a strong case for increasing investment in care infrastructure: services and facilities that support caregiving, such as childcare centres, elder care services, health care, and public transport. The report examines how public development banks (PDBs) can help close critical gaps in care services and boost economic prosperity.

Care work, both paid and unpaid, is essential to society. It enables families and communities to function, yet it remains undervalued and disproportionately carried out by women. Limited investment in care infrastructure restricts women’s economic opportunities and strains caregivers, particularly in countries with inadequate childcare, healthcare, and support services for the elderly and people with disabilities.

The report highlights examples from eight PDBs that have found innovative ways to fund care-related projects. It outlines five key strategies for PDBs:

• building or upgrading care facilities,
• integrating care needs into infrastructure projects,
• supporting decent jobs in the care sector,
• financing long-term reforms of care systems, and
• funding research for informed policymaking and investment decisions.

With PDBs holding more than USD 23 trillion in assets, the report argues that large-scale investment in care infrastructure is both necessary and possible. By prioritizing care services alongside traditional infrastructure like roads and energy, financial institutions can help create more inclusive, prosperous economies.