Key facts
- Labor force participation has declined among college-educated women with their youngest child under 5.
- Unemployment has risen for college-educated women with at least one child under age 5.
- The end of pandemic-era childcare funding in late 2023 has contributed to a flattening of childcare employment.
- Return-to-office mandates have significantly reduced the availability of remote and hybrid job opportunities.
- Countries like Japan and Canada have seen increases in women's workforce participation, surpassing the US.
The US job market is experiencing a 'mom-cession,' characterized by declining labor force participation among women with young children. This trend is driven by a confluence of factors, including the expiration of pandemic-era childcare support and a strong push for employees to return to physical offices. These conditions make it increasingly difficult for mothers to find and maintain employment.
Analysis by Matthew Nestler, a senior economist at KPMG, indicates that unemployment has risen among college-educated women with at least one child under age 5, while their employment-to-population ratio has dropped. This demographic group had previously benefited significantly from flexible work arrangements that became common during the pandemic. In contrast, labor force participation has seen increases among women without children and most male demographic groups.
Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union, described the situation as 'heartbreaking,' noting the contrast with the record gains women made in the American labor force post-pandemic. The end of funding from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act in late 2023 has impacted the childcare sector, leading to a flattening of employment in that industry. This exacerbates the challenge for parents seeking affordable and accessible childcare.
Return-to-office mandates further narrow job options for mothers. A report by staffing firm Robert Half found that only 4% of new job postings in the first quarter of 2026 were fully remote, with 77% requiring on-site presence. This shift away from flexibility puts additional pressure on mothers who need to balance work with childcare responsibilities. Even mothers with elementary-school-aged children are facing difficulties, as the standard workday and school calendar often do not align.
Experts suggest solutions such as finding a middle ground between remote work desires and employer demands for office presence. A Pew Research Center survey highlighted that while 71% of working parents find remote flexibility helpful, only 23% have access to it. The survey also indicated a strong desire for onsite childcare, with 59% of parents with young children finding it extremely or very helpful, though only 7% have access to it. Investing in subsidized childcare, similar to approaches in countries like Japan and Canada, is also proposed as a way to boost women's workforce participation.