Understanding the characteristics of unpaid carers living in financial hardship: risks and vulnerabilities

Providing care for longer hours is associated with detrimental effects on carers’ employment and earnings. However, very little is known about carer financial hardship, especially from an intersectional perspective. This study makes use of the UK Household Longitudinal Study to investigate associations between providing care and poverty. Findings show that unpaid carers are more likely to face poverty than non-carers and that this gap has become wider over time. Employment and older age seem to be protective characteristics associated with a lower likelihood of poverty. These findings support the recognition of the many challenges faced by unpaid carers.