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Disability in the UK

  • There are approximately 10 million disabled people in Great Britain covered by the Disability Discrimination Act, which represents around 18 percent of the population. Family Resources survey (2003-2004)
  • There are over 6.9 million disabled people are of working age which represents 19 percent of the working population. Labour Force Survey, June 2006
  • However only 50 percent of disabled people of working age are in employment compared to 81 percent of non-disabled people of working age. Labour Force Survey, June 2006
  • 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
  • Disabled people are almost twice as likely as non-disabled people to have no qualification at all. Labour Force Survey, June 2005
  • Disabled people are more than twice as likely as non-disabled people to be out of work and claiming benefits. Of the 2.4 million disabled people on state benefits and not in work nearly a million would like to work. Labour Force Survey, June 2006
  • The incidence of disability increases with age. Whilst 9 per cent of adults aged 16-24 are disabled, this increases to about 44 per cent in the 50 to retirement age category. Labour Force Survey, June 2005
  • In 2004 40% of the English population are over 45, the age at which the incidence of disability begins to increase. National Office of Statistics, Census Update 2003 and Labour Force Survey, June 2005
  • 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
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