The Scale and Complexity of Care in the UK
Estimating the total number of people receiving care across the UK is challenging because data is not collected uniformly across all four nations. Instead, a composite picture must be built using statistics from England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The overall figures represent a combination of people receiving formal, funded care services and those relying on informal, unpaid care from family and friends. While millions receive formal social care, millions more are supported by unpaid carers, highlighting the enormous scale of care provision in the country.
Unpaid Care Statistics
Based on census data, millions of people provide unpaid care throughout the UK, forming the bedrock of the care system. Census figures are considered the most comprehensive but may undercount the total number of people in a caring role over their lifetime.
- Census 2021/2022: The official census found a total of 5.8 million people providing unpaid care across the UK. This includes 4.7 million in England (2021), 311,000 in Wales (2021), 627,700 in Scotland (2022), and 222,000 in Northern Ireland (2021).
- Carers UK estimates: Alternative polling data cited by Carers UK suggests the figure could be as high as 7 million people, indicating that many who provide support do not identify as 'carers'.
- Intensity of care: A significant number of unpaid carers dedicate substantial time to their roles. According to census data, 1.7 million people in the UK provide 50 or more hours of care per week.
- Gender split: Women are disproportionately more likely to be unpaid carers than men. In the UK, there are approximately 3.5 million female carers compared to 2.4 million male carers, according to census figures.
Formal Social Care Recipients
Formal social care recipients typically receive support arranged and often funded by local authorities, though a significant portion is also self-funded. Statistics are best reviewed on a nation-by-nation basis.
Adult Social Care in England
- Long-term support: As of March 31, 2025, over 671,000 adults were receiving long-term, local authority-funded social care in England. The number has been increasing steadily in recent years.
- Support settings: The majority of this long-term support is delivered within the community (489,000 people), while others are in residential care homes (135,000) and nursing homes (53,000).
- Short-term care: In 2023/24, a further 252,000 episodes of short-term care were provided to adults in England.
- Privately-funded care: Official statistics primarily track publicly funded services, meaning the total number of people receiving formal care, including those who pay for it themselves, is significantly higher. For example, nearly a quarter of domiciliary care users pay for their own care.
Adult Social Care in Other Nations
- Domiciliary care: In early 2025, estimates for publicly funded domiciliary care across the UK were nearly 1 million people. This included figures for England (approx. 640,000), Scotland (89,620 in 2022/23), Wales (28,596 in 2018/19), and Northern Ireland (23,248 in 2023).
- Care home residents: As of March 2025, around 441,479 people were living in care homes across the UK. This includes both publicly and privately funded residents.
Children in Care
In addition to adult care, a significant number of children are in the care system. Across the UK, the number of children in care is estimated to be over 107,000, with statistics from around 2024 showing:
- England: 84,000 children in care.
- Scotland: 11,844 children in care.
- Wales: 7,198 children in care.
- Northern Ireland: 3,999 children in care.
Comparison of Unpaid and Formal Care
The care landscape is defined by the contributions of both unpaid and formal care providers, each with distinct characteristics and challenges. The table below highlights key differences.
| Feature | Unpaid (Informal) Care | Formal (Paid) Care |
|---|---|---|
| Number of People | Approximately 5.8 million carers (2021/22 Census figures), meaning millions of care recipients. | Hundreds of thousands of publicly-funded recipients in each nation, plus privately funded individuals. |
| Primary Provider | Family, friends, or neighbours. | Paid professionals (e.g., care workers, nurses) or residential staff. |
| Funding Source | No direct payment for the care provided, though carers may receive benefits like Carer's Allowance if eligible. | Primarily funded by local authorities and NHS, or paid for privately by the individual. |
| Service Regulation | No formal regulation; quality and intensity of care can vary significantly. | Regulated by bodies such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England, ensuring minimum standards. |
| Challenges | Significant financial and emotional strain, higher risk of poverty, and limited support. | Facing severe staffing shortages, budget pressures, and difficulties in meeting rising demand. |
Conclusion: The Bigger Picture of Care
So, how many people in the UK receive care? There is no single, simple answer. By synthesizing data on both informal and formal care, a comprehensive picture emerges. Millions of individuals, including older people, working-age adults, and children, receive support. This care comes from a vast network of millions of unpaid carers—often family members—and hundreds of thousands of formal, paid social care services. However, the data reveals significant gaps, including unmet demand for social care and a notable reliance on unpaid caregivers who often face immense pressure. The care system in the UK is a complex, multifaceted reality, supporting a vast population with varying needs and funding arrangements. Official statistics for each nation, though separate, are crucial for understanding the true scale of care in the UK. Further information on specific statistics can be found at the official government data portals.
