Key statistics 

• the 2021 Census indicates around 5 million people in England and Wales provide unpaid care 

• the estimated economic value of unpaid care is £162 billion 

• the dashboard draws on data from both the 2011 and 2021 England and Wales Censuses 

• the tool allows comparison of unpaid care patterns across local authorities and over time 

Key messages 

• unpaid carers play a central role in the health and social care system, providing substantial economic and social value 

• the characteristics of unpaid carers vary across local areas, including differences in age, ethnicity, employment and health 

• the amount of care provided and the health of carers can change over time, reflecting wider social and demographic trends 

• the dashboard enables analysis of how unpaid care intersects with socioeconomic factors such as employment and education 

• improved access to data can support better understanding of local care needs and inform service planning 

Policy implications 

• use local data to identify areas with higher levels of unpaid care and target support accordingly 

• recognise unpaid carers as a key part of the health and social care system in planning and resource allocation 

• develop services that reflect the demographic and socioeconomic profile of carers in different areas 

• support integrated care systems to use data for service planning and business case development 

• improve access to data and insights for local authorities, commissioners and providers 

Gaps 

• the dashboard is based on Census data and may not capture more recent changes in unpaid care patterns 

• potential underreporting of unpaid care in Census data 

Commentary 

This dashboard provides a useful overview of unpaid care across England and Wales using Census data. It highlights the scale of unpaid care and the important role carers play in supporting people with long-term conditions, disabilities and older age. 

One of the main strengths of the tool is its ability to show how unpaid care varies across different places. Users can explore differences between local authorities and see how patterns of care have changed over time. This helps identify where demand for support may be higher and where services may need to be adapted. 

The dashboard also shows how unpaid care is linked to wider social and economic factors. For example, it allows comparison of carers’ health, employment and education with the general population. This helps highlight how caring responsibilities can affect people’s lives, including their ability to work or maintain good health. 

From a care equity perspective, the dashboard is essential because it makes visible the uneven distribution of unpaid care. Some areas and population groups provide more care than others, often alongside higher levels of disadvantage. Without targeted support, this can contribute to inequities in both carer wellbeing and access to formal services. 

Overall, the tool supports better use of data in planning and decision-making. By improving understanding of who unpaid carers are and where they are located, it can help inform more equitable and responsive health and social care services.