Parents Lose Up to 26 Million Work Hours Weekly Due to Childcare Crisis

Skyrocketing costs, daycare closures and a push to return to the office have left thousands of parents scrambling to find affordable and accessible childcare. While some view the childcare crisissas an isolated issue affecting only certain families, a new study by professional services firm KPMG, reveals that the lack of accessible and affordable childcare has far-reaching consequences for many more.

Drawing on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Current Population Survey, KPMG found that between 1.2 and 1.5 million workers are affected by inadequate childcare options each month with women making up almost 90% of these workers. This translates to between nine and 26 million hours of potential work lost due to childcare problems in any given week and a staggering 468 million to 1.4 billion hours lost each year.

This decrease in work hours means that families ultimately take home less each year, compounding issues with the affordability of childcare. Missing six hours a week can lead to a yearly income loss of $4,680 to $9,026 per worker, while even one hour per week costs between $780 and $1,504 a year.

These effects extend beyond individual families, influencing workforce size and business productivity—key drivers of economic health and growth. Researchers note that these impacts are especially severe post-pandemic, as childcare options have dwindled and the cost of living has increased. Today, 1.6% of all employed women in the US—over one million each month—are missing work or working part-time due to childcare challenges. This figure reaches over 3% for women aged 25–44 in some months, compared to less than 0.2% of employed men, although this percentage has increased from 0.07% in 2000.

Addressing the childcare crisis will require a multifaceted approach, including increased investment in affordable childcare solutions, employer support for working parents and policy changes that support family needs. Looking for childcare solutions for your family? Check out these tips for saving on childcare costs.