Global Domestic Worker Informality Remains Widespread
Over 80% of domestic workers lack formal employment, often leading to lower wages and fewer legal protections.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Employment
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The International Labour Organization reported in 2025 that 66.5 million domestic workers globally remain in informal employment, leaving most without formal legal protections. This population represents 83.1% of the total global domestic workforce of 80 million.
Why it matters
Informal employment leaves the vast majority of domestic workers without standard labor protections or wage security. With this segment earning significantly less than the average employee, financial stability for these households remains highly precarious.
Informal domestic workers earn just 48.7% of the average monthly wages of other employees, compared to 53.3% for the sector overall. This workforce is 77.2% female and faces significant time burdens, with 35.2% working at least 49 hours per week.
The players
International Labour Organization
A United Nations agency that sets international labor standards and advocates for worker rights.
The details
Informal employment restricts access to essential financial safety nets, including standardized contracts, regulated hours, and minimum wage protections. Because domestic work often occurs in private households, these employees frequently operate outside the scope of formal tax and social security systems. This isolation contributes to the pay gap, where informal domestic staff earn less than half the average monthly wage of other workers, while simultaneously facing high rates of extended work weeks.
Timeline
The total global domestic workforce stood at 75.6 million people in 2019.
Data from 2025 shows 66.5 million domestic workers were informally employed.
The International Labour Organization released its report in October 2026.
Money Landscape
This data provides a progress report on labor conditions 15 years after the adoption of the International Labour Organization’s Domestic Workers Convention. It highlights that informal employment persists as the dominant model for the sector globally.
Households that employ domestic workers informally should consider the financial and legal risks of not having formal contracts. Consulting with a local tax or legal professional can help determine how to properly formalize employment to ensure compliance with regional labor laws.
The takeaway
The majority of global domestic workers remain in informal roles that lack standard wage and legal protections. Households should review local regulations regarding domestic labor to understand the legal and financial implications of hiring practices.
Further reading
For more on how labor shifts affect household income, see Employment.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Anadolu Ajansı.
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