The national picture
- 3 out of 5 people in the UK will become carers at some time in their lives.
- Over 8 million people are carers (around 13%).
- Every day another 6,000 people take on a caring responsibility – that equals over 2 million people each year.
- 58% of carers are women and 42% are men.
- Over 1 million people care for more than one person.
- Carers save the economy £132 billion per year, an average of £19,336 per carer.
- Five million people juggle care with work, however, the significant demands of caring mean that 2 in 5 carers are forced to give up work altogether.
- Carer’s Allowance is the main carer’s benefit and is £76.75 for a minimum of 35 hours, equivalent to £2.19 per hour – far short of the national minimum wage of £10.42 per hour.
- People providing high levels of care are twice as likely to be permanently sick or disabled.
- 625,000 people suffer mental and physical ill health as a direct consequence of the stress and physical demands of caring.
- Over 1.3 million people provide over 50 hours of care per week.
Source: Carers UK
The local picture
According to the 2021 census:
Bristol
33,973 people in Bristol were looking after someone without being paid:
- 9318 people were providing 50 or more hours of unpaid care a week
- 3722 people were providing between 35 and 49 hours of unpaid care a week
- 3194 people were providing between 20 and 34 hours of unpaid care a week
- 4506 people were providing between 10 and 19 hours of unpaid care a week
- 13,233 people were providing 9 hours or less of unpaid care a week
South Gloucestershire
23,652 people in S. Glos were looking after someone without being paid:
- 6441 people were providing 50 or more hours of unpaid care a week
- 2166 people were providing between 35 and 49 hours of unpaid care a week
- 2088 people were providing between 20 and 34 hours of unpaid care a week
- 3339 people were providing between 10 and 19 hours of unpaid care a week
- 9668 people were providing 9 hours or less of unpaid care a week
Young Carers
The 2011 census shows that:
- There are 1384 young carers (children under 16).
- There are 3,916 young adult carers (16 to 24 years old).
Economic contribution made by local carers
- In Bristol and South Gloucestershire alone, it is estimated that carers save health and social care services £1.19 billion every year by providing unpaid care.
- The economic value of the contribution made by carers in Bristol is £755.5 million per year which is the highest in the southwest.
- The economic value of the contribution made by carers in South Glos is £439.3 million per year.
Source: Carers UK/Valuing Carers 2015
Page last updated 26.02.24
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