The Care Divide: What Data Reveals About Gender Inequality in the UK

The Care Divide in Your Constituency

In the national conversation about gender equality, certain metrics dominate the headlines such as the gender pay gap, representation in boardrooms, and political participation. But beneath these visible markers lies another imbalance that shapes women's economic and social opportunities across England and Wales, the unpaid care gap.

Our analysis at Suffrago reveals a striking pattern that persists across every constituency in England and Wales. The shocking discovery was that there isn't a single area where men provide more unpaid care than women.

The Geography of Care

The disparity isn't uniform across the country. In Lewisham East, we find the most pronounced imbalance, with women shouldering 63% of unpaid care responsibilities compared to men's 37%—a 26-percentage-point difference.

What makes Birmingham Ladywood particularly fascinating is the contradiction it presents. Despite having more male residents (50.4% male versus 49.6% female), women still provide 60% of unpaid care. This counterintuitive finding suggests that the care gap isn't simply a reflection of demographic composition but of deeper social and economic factors.

Even in the most "balanced" constituency, Cardiff Central, women still provide 56% of unpaid care compared to men's 44%. The fact that this represents the closest approach to equality across all 650 UK constituencies underscores how persistent this disparity remains.

Why does this matter beyond the unequal distribution of care? Unpaid care work shapes individuals lives and can impact entire communities. When women disproportionately shoulder care responsibilities, we see reduced workforce participation and persistent wage gaps. But the impact extends beyond economics—to mental health challenges for carers, reinforced gender stereotypes for the next generation, and less time for social and civic engagement.

Local Context Matters

At Suffrago, we believe that understanding local context is essential for developing effective policy. National averages can obscure significant regional variations, and solutions that work in Cardiff may not address the specific challenges facing communities in Lewisham or Birmingham.

By making constituency-level data accessible and meaningful, we aim to provide decision-makers with the contextual intelligence needed to address these disparities effectively. The care gap isn't just a women’s issue, it boils down to a structural economic and social challenge that affects how communities function and how resources are allocated.

Suffrago connects public sentiment with relevant data, creating insights that help representatives understand not just what their constituents think, but why.

Data tells stories that headlines miss. And the story of the care gap is one that deserves our attention not just on International Women's Day, but every day.

Find out more, including data from your local consistency at www.suffrago.org