The Hidden Workforce

This paper investigates the employment status, demographic characteristics, and health outcomes of informal caregivers in Slovenia. Using data from the Workability Questionnaire, conducted in February 2025 with a representative sample of 1,000 individuals aged 25–75 years, we analyze how caregiving correlates with employment patterns and caregivers’ own health issues. Through statistical testing, we compare informal caregivers with non-caregivers to identify potential disparities in labor market participation and health status. This study contributes to the economic and policy discourse by offering new insights into the demographic and employment characteristics of informal caregivers in Slovenia. Additionally, it provides empirical evidence necessary for estimating the societal costs of informal care, which is crucial for integrating informal care into economic evaluations of health and social care programs. However, the study has some limitations. First, the cross-sectional nature of the data prevents causal inference regarding the relationship between caregiving and employment or health outcomes. Second, we are aware that the self-reported nature of the Workability Questionnaire may introduce response biases, particularly regarding health status and caregiving intensity.