In every society, many hours of important work are not counted in economic statistics. Tasks like household chores, caring for family members, taking parental leave, and recovering after childbirth all help individuals and communities, but are rarely included in measures of economic productivity. Other responsibilities, such as staying home with a sick child, recycling, or choosing to travel less, are also vital for family life and the environment. There are even more contributions that traditional economics often overlooks. Volunteering, supporting loved ones emotionally, and growing food for personal use all help keep society running smoothly. These efforts strengthen families, build social connections, and make communities more resilient. Often, women take on most of these tasks, which are key to social stability, caring for the environment, and supporting the economy.

To better show how important these activities are, we can create a measurement system similar to those used in economics. This system would give value to these tasks based on how they affect people, families, and communities. One idea is the Equity Index for Societal Contribution (EISC), which is a tool meant to measure and highlight the value of unpaid and often unseen work that supports daily life.

Each part of the index is given a weight based on how much time it takes, its impact on society and the environment, and how much it can reduce public costs, such as healthcare or social services. The index can be studied using two approaches, called the A series and the B series:

• A-series: This approach examines how society’s recognition of these contributions changes during major events or shifts.

• B-series: This approach examines how policy choices, such as parental leave, elder care support, or sustainability incentives, relate to changes in the amount of unpaid work people do or in how much it is recognized.

The EISC helps policymakers and economists include unpaid work in national statistics and planning. This leads to a more complete and inclusive view of value, productivity, and well-being.