Launched: October 2025
The challenge
The Basque Country is facing an ageing population, which is significantly impacting its social and healthcare landscape. According to Eustat, the Basque Institute of Statistics, by 2036 nearly 30% of residents will be over the age of 65, with life expectancy among the highest in Europe – 89 years for women and 84 for men.
Longer lifespans mean more chronic illness and dependency, with 35% of women over 85 needing daily assistance. This shift is changing household dynamics as around 280,000 people in the Basque Country live alone, and nearly half of them are over 64. As the number of older adults living independently grows, so does the need for specialised care services.
To meet this demand, the care sector is expected to grow significantly, particularly in residential care and home-care roles. Between 2024 and 2035, care-related jobs are expected to increase by over 30%. Staffing will be a major challenge as two-thirds of current workers will need to be replaced, and new roles will need to meet evolving care needs.
Informal care plays a key role too as many roles are filled by migrant women working under challenging conditions. Despite its importance, this segment of the workforce remains undervalued, highlighting the need for reform and recognition in the care economy.
The ambition
The ZainLab Regional Skills Partnership for the long-term care sector in the Basque Country aims to respond to the growing demands of an ageing population.
The Partnership will transform the professionalisation of the sector by improving training and working conditions of carers, particularly those working in the private sector. This will be achieved through upskilling and reskilling activities, equipping professionals with the skills they need to support an ageing population with increasingly complex needs.
The Partnership also aims to make the sector more attractive to professionals, especially those new to the job market.
To guide these ambitions, a dedicated observatory will turn employment and training data into actionable insights, helping shape future policy and workforce planning.
The commitments
The ZainLab Regional Skills Partnership has committed to a set of actions to improve and promote the long-term care sector in the Basque Country through innovative actions focused on employment and training.
It will support the professionalisation of care workers by encouraging continuous skills development through methods tailored to their specific needs and characteristics.
Beyond technical training, the Partnership will also address broader needs such as intercultural competencies, physical wellbeing, and psychosocial health, helping care workers adapt to evolving challenges in the field.
The Partnership is committed to raising the visibility of the long-term care sector and highlighting its importance. It aims to attract more people to care-related careers, including both hands-on caregiving roles and supportive professions.
Additionally, the Partnership will promote specialised employment services and social support within the sector, while encouraging innovation through targeted pilot projects.
The impact
The ZainLab Regional Skills Partnership will establish expert communities to unite public and private stakeholders. These groups will exchange knowledge, share experiences, and promote innovation. Two communities have already been created: one focused on professionalising the home-care sector, and another dedicated to attracting talent and enhancing skills through upskilling and reskilling initiatives.
In collaboration with local councils, the Partnership will launch care networks known as ZainSare. These networks will provide training, guidance, intermediation, and mutual support, while positioning care as a key issue of public policy and social justice. They aim to tackle inequalities, advancing a care model that is more equitable, professionalised, and sustainable.
The Partnership will develop and deliver training programmes and employment support services that address the evolving needs of the long-term care sector. These programmes will be developed by ZainLab members and tailored to real-world challenges faced by professionals in the field.
View the document below to learn more about the Regional Skills Partnership by downloading the declaration below:
