The latest Scotland’s Carers Update (June 2026), published by the Scottish Government, estimates that around 722,000 people are providing unpaid care, including approximately 23,000 young carers. This marks a 4% rise in the number of carers compared to recent years, reflecting both population changes and increasing requirements for unpaid care. 

With the release of these new figures, Carers Scotland has now calculated that the economic value of unpaid care in Scotland has reached a staggering £18.3 billion, highlighting the immense and often unseen contribution of carers across the country. 

The £18.3bn valuation now places unpaid care on a scale exceeding the cost of running NHS Boards in Scotland. The 2026/27 Scottish Budget allocates just over £17.6 billion to NHS Boards, within a broader health and social care budget of £22.5 billion.  

Director of Carers Scotland, Kirsten Hogg said:  

“Every day, unpaid carers help to sustain our health and social care systems by providing free support to their families, friends and neighbours.  The increasing number of carers, and the incredible economic value of that unpaid work gives a sense of the scale of support that carers provide, which decision makers must recognise.” 

“Behind those numbers are individual stories of carers sacrificing their working lives, caring around the clock, and facing financial hardship.  Adequate support must be provided to carers who need it to continue to care.” 

Despite the enormous contribution of carers to Scottish society, there is still much to do to improve their lives. We're encouraging carers to share their experiences to help us to campaign for change. Carers can complete the State of Caring survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8GX7Z5T until the 9th August.