How many unpaid carers are there in the UK?
Census 2021 found that an estimated 5.0 million people aged 5 and over in England and Wales provided unpaid care, an age-standardised 9.0% of residents, down from 11.4% in 2011. Scotland's Census 2022 counted 627,700 unpaid carers, up 27.5% on 2011. Northern Ireland's 2021 census includes the same question.
The census asked whether people look after anyone because of a long-term health condition, disability or problems related to old age. The ONS release also shows hours of care: 2.8% of people provided 50 or more hours a week.
Surveys such as the DWP Family Resources Survey produce higher estimates because they ask the question differently, so a figure of "millions more carers" usually comes from a different source. Check which source and year a claim uses.
When is the next figure out?
DHSC provider statistics come out quarterly at 9:30am on a Thursday, with the next date in each release. DfE publishes childcare take-up in July, the provider survey in December, children in need in autumn and children looked after in November, at 9:30am. Skills for Care publishes its workforce estimates each June and its state of the sector report each autumn.
Every official release due in the next two weeks is on the release calendar.
Where the figures come from
- Social care, childcare and children's social care statistics (DHSC, NHS England, Skills for Care, DfE, ONS and devolved bodies)Where to find official figures on care homes, social care staff, delayed discharge, unpaid carers, free childcare, childcare costs and children in care.
Related questions
- How much is Carer's Allowance and how many people get it?
- Where can I find UK census data?
- How many free childcare hours can parents get in England?
This answer says where the official figures are published and how they are defined. It gives no verdict on any claim. To report an error, send a correction request. More questions about social care and childcare: all Social care and childcare questions.