Health, disability and carers

Health inequalities persist with poorer health, disability and unpaid care a key feature of some of our most deprived areas

• In Cornwall, 79.3% of residents reported good or very good health, with 6.2% reporting bad or very bad health. This is lower than the proportions reported for both the South West and England and Wales.
• Whilst the proportions have remained relatively consistent, an additional 1,836 people identifying as having bad/very bad health compared to 2011. This is an increase of 5.5%.
• The proportion of residents providing unpaid care in Cornwall is higher than the national and regional averages. Although it has decreased from 11.9% in 2011 to 10% in 2021 reflective of the trend in England and Wales.
• Whilst most carers are providing less than 19 hours per week of unpaid care, a further 10,710 (2.0%) are providing between 20 and 49 hours per week and 17,516 (3.2%) are providing more than 50 hours per week.
• An additional 1,660 people are providing unpaid care for 50+ hours a week compared to 2011.
• 2,426 additional people are providing unpaid care for between 20 and 49 hours.
• Disability affects 21.1% (120,000) of the population in Cornwall, making it one of the highest-ranking areas in England.
• As would be expected there is some consistency in the areas reporting higher rates of bad/ very bad health and those reporting disability. 6 LSOA areas appear in the highest reported rates of both, 5 of these LSOAs feature in the 10% most deprived areas of England (IMD 2019).

Please see the Health, Disability and Carers ONS summary release for more information.

Sexual orientation and gender identity

Nearly 3% of the Cornish population identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or other (LGB+)

First official data on the size of the transgender population in Cornwall is released to help support anti-discrimination duties under the Equality Act 2010 and aid allocation for resources

• The latest census data in Cornwall reveals that 1,670 people (0.35%) identify as transgender.
• Higher concentrations of transgender residents live in major population centres such as Falmouth and Newquay.
• The data was collected to aid anti-discrimination efforts and resource allocation.
• The responses from the survey were similar to those from the South West and England and Wales. 94% of the population aged 16 and over responded.
• The majority of respondents (93.9%) identified their gender identity as the same as their sex registered at birth.
• A total of 5.8% did not answer the question on gender identity, which is similar to the national average.
• The 2021 Census in Cornwall also provided new insight on the population of LGB+ residents.
• 3% of the population aged 16 and over identified as LGB+ (14,140 people). This is similar to the national average of 3.2% in England and Wales.
• The most common responses among LGB+ residents were gay or lesbian (1.35%) and bisexual (1.3%).
• The areas of Cornwall with a higher percentage of LGB+ residents tend to be located in the west of the county and around major population centres, which is a trend seen across England and Wales.

Please see the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity ONS summary release for more information.