A new study reveals persistent gender disparities in unpaid domestic work and caregiving responsibilities, despite advances in women’s participation in the workforce.
While women today are excelling in education, career, and leadership roles, they still bear a disproportionate share of household chores and caregiving duties. According to the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, women spend an average of 18.4 hours per week on housework, nearly 50 per cent more than men, who spend only 12.8 hours. This figure has remained largely unchanged since 2002, even though both men and women are working longer hours than before.
In caregiving, women continue to take on the bulk of responsibilities, spending an average of 10.7 hours per week on childcare and eldercare, compared to men’s 5.5 hours. Interestingly, men reported higher satisfaction with the division of domestic labour, despite the significant gap.
The study also highlights a troubling trend among single-parent households, which face greater financial challenges. The cost of childcare for single-parent families increased by 76 per cent from 2006 to 2022, compared to a 48 per cent increase for dual-parent households. Furthermore, single-parent families were found to have the highest levels of poor mental health and are more likely to live in poverty.
The research underscores the growing inequality between income groups in Australia, with the wealthiest benefiting from faster income growth. While the average income reached a record high of $71,335 in 2022, the median income fell to $61,863, revealing an increasing wealth gap. Additionally, intergenerational wealth inequality is rising, with older Australians enjoying substantial increases in wealth, largely driven by soaring housing prices.
