Facts and figures

We've pulled together some key facts and figures about disabled people in the UK.  

Number of disabled people in the UK

  • There are  16.8 million  disabled people in the UK. That’s one in four (25%) of the population. 

Daily living in the UK

  • Half (54%) of all people in poverty live in a family that includes a disabled person. 
  • Over 40% of railways stations in Great Britain do not have step-free access. 

Work and employment in the UK 

  • Half (54%) of disabled adults aged 18-64 are in employment.  

 

  • When we look at non-disabled adults aged 18-64, four out of five (82%) are in employment.  

 

  • The disability employment gap remains high, at 28%. 

 

  • 1 in 5 (19%) employers say they would be less likely to hire a disabled person 
  • The cost of making workplace adjustments was cited as a barrier for almost 70% of employers. 
  • The UK government scheme ‘Access to Work’ provides support for costs beyond reasonable adjustments: support worker costs, adaptations etc.  

 

  • If an application is made during the first six weeks of an individual’s employment, Access to Work will consider paying grants for up to 100 per cent of costs. The scheme can fund eligible costs up to £69,260 (2024/25). 

Adult Social Care in England 

  • Disabled people between the ages of 18-64 represent one third (35%) of people using adult social care.  

 

  • Disabled people between the ages of 18-64 made 658,00 requests for care and support in 2023/24. Half (54%) of these requests ended in no support being provided 

 

  • 1,985,000 people in England provide more than 20+ hours of unpaid care every week 

 

  • There is a workforce crisis in adult social care, with a shortage of 131,000 care workers across England 
Illustrations of a house with people standing at the window

One in four

One in four people in the UK are disabled.

Illustration of people sitting around a table

Less likely to be employed

1 in 5 (19%) employers say they would be less likely to hire someone with a disability.

Illustration of a CV

More likely to be out of work

Only around half (54%) of disabled people aged 18-64 are in work, compared to non-disabled adults aged 18-64, four out of five (82%)  in employment.