6.2 million European citizens work professionally in the care sector.

Omissions

• The MEP did not specify that the 6.2 million figure is based on 2022 data (CEDEFOP 2023), making it approximately 4 years old at the time of the speech in May 2026.
• No more recent official Eurostat or CEDEFOP estimate for the total number of professional care workers in the EU was found for 2023, 2024, or 2025, suggesting the 2022 figure remains the latest available benchmark.
• The MEP did not cite the source of the figure, which appears to originate from CEDEFOP (2023) and Eurofound, and is referenced in the European Parliament's own 2026 report (A10-0083/2026).
• The claim does not clarify that 'care sector' encompasses formal long-term care, childcare, and other social care occupations, and that the 6.2 million refers specifically to formal (professional) care workers as distinct from informal/unpaid carers, who number over 53 million in the EU.

Sources

• SecondaryEldicare 2.0 — EU Data (Eurofound-based)Around 6.2 million people were professional care workers in 2022, accounting for around 3% of total EU employment.
• SecondaryEuropean Parliament — Report A10-0083/2026 on addressing the gender care gapHighlights that around 6.2 million people in the EU are employed as formal care workers, while more than 53 million people provide informal care.
• SecondaryUNI Europa — Fair Working Time Matters Report (June 2025)Currently, approximately 3% of Europe's workforce—equivalent to 6.2 million people—is employed in the Care sector. Notably, 88% of these workers are women.