Measuring unpaid work in Brazil: a methodological proposal

Abstract Statistics show that, worldwide, women are the most responsible for the reproductive work of human life, which involves domestic tasks and care giving, and is defined as unpaid work. It is necessary to recognize the value and importance for society of this work. One way of doing this is to show the volume of wealth, in the form of goods and services, generated by this invisible work, through its measurement/valuation. For this, a Satellite Account of unpaid work is created, fulfilling one of the objectives proposed by the UN in the list of Millennium Development Goals. Thus, this study proposes a social indicator of unpaid work for Brazil to be incorporated into the national accounts system. This paper discusses the meaning of Satellite Accounts for gender statistics, highlighting the economic importance of household chores and care giving, not only for families but for society as a whole, emphasizing the difficulties in reconciling work and family for those responsible for this unpaid work. Finally, the text develops a methodological proposal to estimate unpaid work in Brazil that is compatible with national accounting.