Sociodemographic vulnerability of female caregivers from a territorial approach: the mexican case

Abstract

Contemporary society faces unprecedented demographic dynamics: the world's population has increased considerably, diversified, aged, and become ill, leading to the emergence of population groups that are subject to third-party care. This has led to an unequal distribution of caregiving tasks between men and women. This study analyzes the sociodemographic variables that undermine women caregivers in Mexico from a territorial perspective, allowing for the identification of clusters and the spatial behavior of the risks faced by women caregivers. An indicator has been developed that includes the demographic variables available in the Gender Indicator System of the National Institute for Women (INMujeres 2024). These indicators capture the sociodemographic characteristics that produce (and reproduce) risk conditions, making women a vulnerable population in the performance of care work. The Sociodemographic Vulnerability Indicator for Caregivers in Mexico (IVSDC) was developed, and its results show strong correlations between economic factors, educational level, access to retirement, adolescent fertility, economically active population, unemployment status, and propensity for developing breast cancer. High sociodemographic vulnerability is observed in areas along the country's northern border.