Country faces long-term work shortage in aged-care

Media Release

18 August 2009

New Zealand faces long-term shortage of caregivers for its ageing population

As New Zealand’s population ages, the country will face an increasing shortage of skilled caregivers to look after its older citizens, according to a report from the Department of Labour.

Projections show that the number of paid caregivers required in New Zealand will rise almost three-fold from 17,900 in 2006 to 48,000 in 2036.

“Between 2006 and 2036 the proportion of New Zealand’s population aged 65 or over as a proportion of the working-age population is expected to rise from 18 to 40%,” says the Department’s acting Head of Labour Market Information Lesley Haines. “The greatest increase will be in the proportion of the population aged 85 or more – the age at which the demand for caregivers is the highest.”

Ms Haines says the trends show there will be relatively fewer people of working age able to provide that care – at a time when demand for that care will be at unprecedented levels.

“The trends that are occurring in New Zealand are also happening in similar countries, such as Australia, Canada and the United States.”

The Future Demand for Paid Caregivers in a Rapidly Ageing Society is available at www.dol.govt.nz/services/LMI/workforce2020/ageing/paid-caregivers/index.asp

ENDS

© Scoop Media