The Hidden Economic Toll of Care Across Europe

Writing for the Social Policy Association’s blog, David Pettinicchio provides a plain language overview of his recent European Society journal article, “The effects of disability and caregiving on work and perceptions of economic insecurity in Sweden, Italy, Germany, and the UK.” Pettinicchio explains that disability reduces employment not only for individuals, but also for people in their households who step into caregiving roles. This dynamic often has negative impacts on household economies, so Pettinicchio argues for policy approaches that integrate both disability and care.

David Pettinicchio is Associate Professor of Sociology and Public Policy at the University of Toronto, affiliated with the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, and author of Politics of Empowerment (Stanford) and Sixty Years of Visible Protest in the Disability Struggle for Equality, Justice, and Inclusion (Cambridge).

Citation

Pettinicchio, D. (2026). The Hidden Economic Toll of Care Across Europe. Social Policy Association. https://social-policy.org.uk/spa-blog/the-hidden-economic-toll-of-care-across-europe/

Excerpt

If we take seriously the idea that “disability is a household affair,” then policy must follow suit.

That means investing in accessible, affordable formal care services so that families are not forced to choose between income and care. It means strengthening employment protections and flexible work arrangements for both disabled people and caregivers. And it means recognizing that austerity measures, whether in Sweden, Italy, the UK, or elsewhere, often shift costs from states onto families, deepening insecurity in the process.