Unpaid care and domestic work is not counted in GDP, yet economists estimate it would add 10–40% to it. Women still do the larger share in most countries. Using a replacement wage (what you’d pay a housekeeper or carer) gives a practical estimate.
How to use the Unpaid Work Calculator
- Meal preparation and cleanup
- Cleaning
- Laundry
- Childcare
- Helping with schoolwork
- Caring for adults
- Shopping and errands
- Repairs and maintenance
- Gardening and pet care
- Hourly wage for this work
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Enter the hours you spend each week on each task and the hourly wage for that kind of work.
Tips
- Use your real spending from bank statements rather than guesses.
- Automate savings so they happen before you spend.
- Revisit your plan once a year or after any big life change.
- Keep an emergency fund before investing for long-term goals.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Underestimating irregular expenses such as car repairs, gifts and annual bills.
- Ignoring inflation for long-term goals.
- Taking on high-interest debt to fund wants.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Meal preparation and cleanup | In h/week |
| Cleaning | In h/week |
| Laundry | In h/week |
| Childcare | In h/week |
| Helping with schoolwork | In h/week |
| Caring for adults | In h/week |
| Shopping and errands | In h/week |
| Repairs and maintenance | In h/week |
| Gardening and pet care | In h/week |
| Hourly wage for this work | Amount in your currency |
What each result means
- Hours of unpaid work per week = [Meal preparation and cleanup] + [Cleaning] + [Laundry] + [Childcare] + [Helping with schoolwork] + [Caring for adults] + [Shopping and errands] + [Repairs and maintenance] + [Gardening and pet care]
- Value per week = [Hours of unpaid work per week]×[Hourly wage for this work]
- Value per year = [Hours of unpaid work per week]×[Hourly wage for this work]×52
- Hours per year = [Hours of unpaid work per week]×52
Example values
How the main result changes when Meal preparation and cleanup changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Meal preparation and cleanup (h/week) | Value per year |
|---|---|
| 3.5 | 33,361.9 |
| 5.25 | 35,484.93 |
| 7 | 37,607.96 |
| 8.75 | 39,730.99 |
| 10.5 | 41,854.02 |
| 14 | 46,100.08 |
Formula
Weekly hours = Σ hours per taskYearly value = weekly hours × hourly wage × 52Worked example
Inputs — Meal preparation and cleanup: 7 h/week; Cleaning: 4 h/week; Laundry: 2 h/week; Childcare: 10 h/week; Helping with schoolwork: 2 h/week; Caring for adults: 0 h/week; Shopping and errands: 3 h/week; Repairs and maintenance: 1 h/week; Gardening and pet care: 2 h/week; Hourly wage for this work: $23.33.
Results — Hours of unpaid work per week = 31; Value per week = $723.23; Value per year = $37,607.96; Hours per year = 1,612.
Frequently asked questions
How much is unpaid housework worth?
Often $20,000–$60,000+ a year at replacement wages.
Why isn't unpaid work in GDP?
GDP only counts market transactions.
Which wage should I use?
A local wage for housekeepers, cooks or carers – $20–25 an hour in much of the U.S.
What formula does the Unpaid Work Calculator use?
Weekly hours = Σ hours per task.