Family-friendly policies hold the key to unlocking Europe’s hidden talent pool

In today's EU, the balance between competitiveness and care is not just a possibility; it is a necessity. By integrating family-friendly policies with economic strategies, we can unlock Europe's hidden talent pool and strengthen our social fabric. As we mark International Day of Families, let’s shift the conversation: from care as a personal issue to care as a public and economic priority. One in three women in the EU are unable to work full-time due to family care responsibilities 1. For men, that figure drops to one in ten. Meanwhile, half of those excluded from the labour market say they would return if quality care services were available 2. These statistics represent an economic fault line, depriving our shrinking workforce of talent, draining productivity and holding back competitiveness. They are a wake-up call for policymakers to fully implement the European Care Strategy and invest in services that are accessible, affordable and fit for modern families. The European Care Strategy aims to... Improve access to quality, affordable, and accessible care services across the EU - from early childhood to long-term care Support carers, both formal and informal, through better working conditions and training Promote gender equality by encouraging a fairer distribution of care responsibilities between women and men Strengthen social fairness and resilience in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights Boost employment and participation, by addressing care-related barriers...