economy
February 2, 2026
Women say caregiving and child care costs are the No. 1 reason they quit the workforce last year, according to new data
Women say caregiving needs, including child care costs, and low pay led them to quit their jobs last year.
TL;DR
- 455,000 women left the U.S. workforce between January and August 2025.
- Caregiving responsibilities, including the high cost of childcare, is the primary reason women are leaving their jobs.
- Nearly 1 in 5 women cited low pay as a factor in their decision to quit.
- Companies are reverting to pre-pandemic work structures, reducing flexibility and support that previously helped working mothers.
- Women of color were more likely to be laid off than white women.
- Employers can improve retention by offering schedule flexibility, caregiving resources, and ensuring fair pay and career growth.
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