PRESS RELEASE: New NWLC Report Highlights Why Women Continue to Struggle Despite Historic Economic Growth

Washington, DC – The National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) released a new report today, “The Recovery Paradox,” that reveals why millions of women in the United States still face financial hardship, despite strong economic gains.

The report highlights how pandemic relief measures, including those in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, helped pull the economy back from the brink, slashed poverty rates, and strengthened our caregiving systems. These efforts led to historic wage growth, particularly for low-paid workers who are disproportionately women.

However, as pandemic relief expires, women are once again feeling financial strain despite strong economic indicators. NWLC’s report identifies three key reasons why women continue to struggle in a seemingly robust economy:

  1. Insufficient Wage Growth: Although wages have increased for many women, they have not kept pace with rising costs for essentials like child care and housing, which have risen faster than inflation.
  2. Rising Poverty Rates: After the expiration of pandemic-era support— especially the expansions of the Child Tax Credit — the Supplemental Poverty Measure more than doubled for families headed by women from 2021 to 2022 — and has continued to climb in 2023.
  3. Caregiving Crisis: Women shoulder the bulk of caregiving duties, both paid and unpaid. Following the end of pandemic funding for the child care sector, one-third of parents reported increased child care costs.

The report makes clear that sustained policy interventions are essential to closing the gap between economic growth and women’s financial security.

“Pandemic-era relief led to incredible economic gains for women, but as this federal support expires, women are once again finding it hard to keep up with rising costs,” said Julie Vogtman, Senior Director of Job Quality at NWLC and co-author of the report. “The success of pandemic-era relief programs makes one thing clear: policy matters. We know what it takes to improve women’s financial security and build an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few.”

Read the full report: The Recovery Paradox: Women and Families Need More Support to Sustain and Improve Economic Gains

For a two-page summary of key findings, click here.