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37.1 million people provided unpaid eldercare in 2021–2022
October 02, 2023
Approximately 37.1 million people, or 13.9 percent of the U.S. civilian population age 15 and older, provided unpaid eldercare in 2021–2022. Individuals ages 45 to 54 (20.0 percent) and 55 to 64 (21.2 percent) were the most likely to provide eldercare, followed by those ages 65 and over (14.8 percent). Among people age 15 and older, 16.0 percent of women and 11.7 percent of men were eldercare providers.
Percent of the U.S. population age 15 and older who were eldercare providers, by age and sex, averages for the combined years 2021–22
Age
Total, men and women
Men
Women
Total, all ages
13.9
11.7
16.0
15 to 24 years
8.6
9.3
8.0
25 to 34 years
7.3
6.4
8.1
35 to 44 years
11.9
10.1
13.6
45 to 54 years
20.0
15.1
24.7
55 to 64 years
21.2
18.6
23.7
65 years and older
14.8
11.5
17.6
On an average day, 27.5 percent of eldercare providers engaged in eldercare. Compared with those in other age groups, eldercare providers who were age 65 and older were the most likely to provide care on a given day (38.4 percent).
Percent of eldercare providers who provided care on an average day, by selected characteristics, averages for the combined years 2021–22
Characteristic
Percent
Total, 15 years and over
27.5
Age
15 to 24 years
15.4
25 to 34 years
22.2
35 to 44 years
20.6
45 to 54 years
24.2
55 to 64 years
30.9
65 years and older
38.4
Sex
Men
26.9
Women
27.8
Employment status
Employed
22.0
Not employed
36.1
Note: Persons who are not employed include those classified as unemployed as well as those classified as not in the labor force.
Among eldercare providers, there was little difference between the share of men and women who provided eldercare on a given day (26.9 percent and 27.8 percent, respectively). In 2021–2022, eldercare providers who were not employed were more likely to provide care on a given day than eldercare providers who were employed (36.1 percent, compared with 22.0 percent).
United States Department of Labor
