Carers UK carried out an online survey between June and August 2023. A total of 11,667 carers and former carers responded to the survey. This report summarises the responses from the 10,751 people who are currently providing care. As not all respondents completed every question in the survey, a number of the figures given in this report are based upon responses from fewer than 10,751 people.
Of respondents to the survey:
- 61% were in England, 17% in Scotland, 12% in Wales and 10% in Northern Ireland
- 39% of carers were in receipt of Carer’s Allowance
- 80% were female, 19% were male
- 1% had a different gender identity than their sex registered at birth
- 29% had a disability
- 5% were lesbian, gay, bisexual or defined their sexual orientation in another way
- 16% had childcare responsibilities for a non-disabled child under 18
- 3% were aged 0-34, 10% were aged 35-44, 22% were aged 45-54, 35% were aged 55-64, 20% were aged 65-74 and 11% were aged 75 and over
- 34% were employees (18% were full time and 16% part time), and 4% were self employed
- 32% had been caring for over 15 years, 15% had been caring for 10-14 years, 24% had been caring for 5-9 years, 26% had been caring for 1-4 years and 3% for less than a year
- 47% cared for 90 hours a week or more, 15% cared for 50-89 hours, 24% cared for 20-49 hours and 15% cared for 19 hours or less
- 74% cared for one person, 19% cared for two people, 5% cared for three people and 2% cared for four or more people.