The impact of drought on carers

Carers have, on average, a more tenuous and weaker attachment to the labour market than non-carers because they face a complex set of demands on their time and must balance the needs of other people. Accordingly, it is plausible that regional shocks from droughts may adversely affect carers compared to other residents. This paper combines meteorological data with recent census data to illustrate that drought in agricultural labour markets has a greater impact on employment outcomes for carers than other residents. Furthermore, the employment differential is not manifest for part-time employment outcomes. Implications for policy makers are considered in some detail.