Non-binary people in Scotland: an analysis of Scotland’s Census 2022
This report uses the new availability of Scotland's Census 2022 data to analyse the characteristics and outcomes associated with non-binary people, to fill evidence gaps and create a better understanding of Scotland’s diverse population.
Unpaid Carer Status
Scotland’s Census 2022 asked: “Do you look after, or give any help or support to family members, friends, neighbours or others because of either:
• long-term physical / mental ill-health /disability; or
• problems related to old age?”
This excluded any care activities undertaken as part of paid employment.
A total of 12.6% of the non-binary population said they provided unpaid care (Table 9). This is comparable to the proportion of people aged 16 and over across the rest of Scotland who said they provided unpaid care (13.5%).
Table 9: Total number and proportion of non-binary people that provide unpaid care, by age
|
Age |
Total number |
Proportion of total population (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
Aged 16 to 24 |
422 |
4.7 |
|
Aged 25 to 34 |
383 |
4.2 |
|
Aged 35 and over |
337 |
3.7 |
|
Total carers |
1,142 |
12.6 |
Source: Scotland’s Census 2022
Young non-binary people aged 16 to 34 were more likely than the rest of young people in Scotland in this age group to provide unpaid care. Of non-binary people who said they provided unpaid care, 7 in 10 were aged 16 to 34 (37.0% of 16 to 24 year olds and 33.5% of 25 to 34 year olds). In comparison, less than 2 in 10 people in the rest of Scotland that provided unpaid care were aged 16 to 34 (6.2% of 16 to 24 year olds and 10.1% of 25 to 34 year olds). For the rest of Scotland, in contrast to the non-binary population, the majority of unpaid carers were aged 35 and over (about 8 in 10 people) (Figure 8).
Figure 8: Proportion of unpaid carers within age groups, of non-binary people and rest of Scotland
Source: Scotland’s Census 2022