Childcare has gained renewed global attention as a critical enabler of women’s economic empowerment and inclusive growth, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite strong evidence on the economic and social returns to childcare, gaps in access, affordability, quality, and system design continue to constrain women’s economic opportunity.
Multilateral development banks (MDBs) have played an increasingly important role in addressing these challenges. An updated childcare portfolio review by CGD across 10 MDBs shows that between 2021 and 2024, there has been a steady increase in both the number and scale of investments compared with earlier periods. This growth reflects a broader shift in how childcare is positioned—from a peripheral social intervention to a strategic lever for jobs, productivity, and gender equality. At the same time, important challenges remain in prioritizing childcare at these institutions, including limited sectoral integration, overall visibility and accountability, persistent design and implementation challenges, and uneven measurement of impact.
