Disability in the UK

There are approximately 10 million disabled people in Great Britain covered by the Equality Act, which represents around 18 percent of the population. Family Resources Survey, Disability prevalence estimates 2008, as used by the Office for Disability Issues

Over 6.7 million disabled people are of working age which represents 18 percent of the working population. Labour Force Survey, May 2009

However, only 50 percent of disabled people of working age are in employment compared to 80 percent of non-disabled people of working age. Labour Force Survey, May 2009

76% of disabled people with a higher education qualification are in employment, compared with 90% of non-disabled people. Of those with no qualification, 23% of disabled people are in employment compared with 60% of non-disabled people. Labour Force Survey, June 2006

Most barriers to work identified related to the need for support or understanding from a manager or colleagues (for example flexible working hours, flexibility to take time off sick, need to manage stress or take breaks). Only one in 20 of those asked said that they required support to do the job. Office for Disability Issues, Experiences and Expectations of Disabled People, July 2008

Disabled people are more than twice as likely to have no qualifications: 23 per cent of working age disabled people do not have any formal qualifications compared to 9 per cent of working age non disabled people. Labour Force Survey, March 2009

People with progressive or cyclical conditions (56 per cent), mental health conditions (47 per cent) or physical impairments (42 per cent) were more likely than average to have gained any formal qualifications. Office for Disability Issues, Experiences and Expectations of Disabled People, July 2008

The incidence of disability increases with age. Around one in 20 children are disabled, compared to around one in seven working age adults and almost half of people over state pension age. Family Resources Survey 2008/2009

About 33 per cent in the 50 to retirement age category are disabled. Labour Force Survey, June 2005

In 2009, 42% of the English population was over 45, the age at which the incidence of disability begins to increase. ONS, Population Estimates, 2010

One in every three people either has a disability or has a close relative or friend who is disabled. Office of National Statistics, Census 2001

The estimated annual purchasing power of people with disabilities is £80 billion. Family Resource Survey 2002/2003