Introduction
To get statistics for unpaid careres, the Census asked "Do you look after, or give any help or support to, anyone because they have long-term physical or mental health conditions or illnesses, or problems related to old age?". People were asked to exclude anything they did as part of their paid employment.
Summary of results
A total of 20,804 people (8%) provide some amount of unpaid care each week. 11,334 (4%) provide 19 hours care or less per week, 4,040 (2%) provide 20 to 49 hours care and 5,430 (2%) provide 50 hours care or more.
This is similar to England (8% overall) and the South East (9%).
The number of people who provide some level of unpaid care in Brighton & Hove is decreasing, with a 13% decrease seen from 2011 and 2021, equivalent to 3,163 fewer people.
Information from Census 2021, including different geographical levels, maps and 2011 census data is available at:
Unpaid care in Brighton & Hove
According to the 2021 Census:
- the number of people who provide unpaid care in Brighton & Hove is decreasing - this change is driven by a decrease in the number of people who provide less than 20 hours of unpaid care per week (5,067 fewer people, 31% decrease)
- there has been an increase seen in the number of people who provide both 20 to 49 hours of unpaid care (1,190 more people, 42% increase) or 50 hours or more (714 more people, 15% increase)
- in 2021 the overall number of people providing care was similar to England (9%) and the South East (8%)a similar decrease was seen from 2011 to 2021 in England (14% decrease) and in the South East (13% decrease)
- England and the South East saw a similar type of change, with fewer people providing less than 20 hours of care and more people providing greater amounts of care
| Provision of unpaid care | 2021 Census, Brighton & Hove (n) | 2021 Census, Brighton & Hove: Percentage of total population | 2021 Census, South East: Percentage of total population | 2021 Census, England: Percentage of total population | 2011 Census, Brighton & Hove (n) | 2011 Census, Brighton & Hove (%) | Change Brighton & Hove (n) | Change Brighton & Hove (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provides no unpaid care | 244,548 | 92% | 91% | 92% | 249,402 | 91% | -4,854 | -2% |
| Provides 19 hours or less unpaid care a week | 11,334 | 4% | 4% | 4% | 16,401 | 6% | -5,067 | -31% |
| Provides 20 to 49 hours unpaid care a week | 4,040 | 2% | 2% | 2% | 2,850 | 1% | 1,190 | 42% |
| Provides 50 or more hours unpaid care a week | 5,430 | 2% | 3% | 2% | 4,716 | 2% | 714 | 15% |
| Provides some amount of unpaid care | 20,804 | 8% | 9% | 8% | 23,967 | 9% | -3,163 | -13% |
People in Brighton & Hove are in the bottom half of local authorities for the provision of unpaid care. Brighton & Hove is ranked 255th out of 309 local authorities in England, with 1 being areas with the most people providing some level of unpaid care and 309th the least.
People who provide unpaid care are not living evenly across the city and are more concentrated in the less central areas of the city. See maps of the 2021 Census results.
Population and population groups
Explore key information about physical disabilities and impairment in Brighton & Hove.
Characteristics
Age and gender
Among those resident in households in Brighton & Hove, more females reported that they provide some level of unpaid care (9%, 12,013 people) than males (7%, 8,599 people). There was little difference between females and males in the amount of unpaid care they provide each week.
People in who are 50 to 64 years of age are the most likely to provide some level of unpaid care (15%), followed by those 65 years of age or older (10%). As people get older they are more likely to provide a greater amount of care, with those 65 years of age or older the most likely to provide 50 or more hours of care (4%).
Gender identity
Among people in Brighton & Hove there was little difference by gender identity in the percentage of people who provide unpaid care, ranging from 8% to 10%.
Sexual orientation
There was little difference by sexual orientation in the percentage of people who provide unpaid care, ranging from 8% to 10%.
Ethnicity
There was little difference by ethnic group in the percentage who provide some level of unpaid care, although people of White: English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British, White: Irish or "other" ethnic groups to those included in the census questionnaire were slightly more likely to provide care (8%) than any other group.
Religion
There was some difference between religious affiliations in the percentage who provide unpaid care, with those affiliated with “other” religions to those included in the census questionnaire (13%) and those who practice Buddhism (10%) the most likely to provide care, and those affiliated Hinduism the least likely (5%).
Long-term health and disability
People who reported that they have a disability under the equalities act were more likely to provide some level of unpaid care (13%) than those who reported they did not have a disability, with those who reported that their daily activities are limited a little (14%) more likely to report that they provide care than those whose activities are limited a lot (11%).
Veterans
People who have previously served in the UK armed forces (regular, 10%, or reserve, 13%) were more likely to report that they provide some level of unpaid care than those who have not (8%).
Migration
Those who were born outside the UK were less likely to report that they provide some amount of unpaid care each week (6%) than those who were born in the UK (8%).