Economic Conditions of Women Domestic Workers Across the Life Course in Urban Informal Employment

Abstract

Women domestic workers constitute a significant yet often invisible component of urban economies in the Global South. Their labor supports households and urban growth but remains largely informal, precarious, and under-compensated. This paper examines the economic realities faced by women domestic workers across different age groups in informal urban settings. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative surveys with qualitative life-history interviews across three metropolitan regions, this study investigates earnings, job security, work conditions, access to social protection, and intra-household responsibilities. Results demonstrate age-differentiated economic challenges: younger workers face unstable earnings and limited autonomy; mid-aged workers carry highest workload with inadequate compensation; older workers confront declining health without pension or safety nets. The study underscores the need for age-sensitive policies, inclusion of domestic workers in labor protections, and targeted financial literacy and social security programs.