Facts and statistics
Below are some useful statistics on disabled people. They can help you to understand a large proportion of our society, including demographics and impairment types.
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Found 37 facts and statistics.
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Disabled people in England
There are 12.2 million disabled people in England, accounting for more than one in five (22 per cent) of the total population. This is an increase from 11.5 million in 2019-20 and from 9.9 million since 2013-14.
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Region
Disability is most prevalent in the North of England. 31 per cent of people in the North East, and 24 per cent of people in the North West, and Yorkshire and the Humber are disabled. London has a lower prevalence at 15 per cent.
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Gender
There are more disabled women than men. 24 per cent of women in the UK are disabled, compared to 20 per cent of men.
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Age
The prevalence of disability rises with age. In the UK, 9 per cent of children are disabled compared with 21 per cent of working-age adults and 42 per cent of people over state pension age.
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Older people
Three in five (61 per cent) disabled people in the UK are aged over 50.
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Disabled people's activity levels
Disabled adults are almost twice as likely as non-disabled people to be physically inactive (42.4 per cent vs 22.6 per cent).
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Disabled people's participation
Four in five (77 per cent) disabled people would like to be more active.
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Disabled people and organised activity
Just one in five (20 per cent) disabled people had taken part in an organised activity session in the last year, compared to 25 per cent of non-disabled people.
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Role of health and sports professionals
Healthcare professionals are the preferred source of advice on sport and physical activity for disabled people. 60 per cent would listen to their GP, doctor, or nurse, and 57 per cent would listen to a physiotherapist or occupational therapist.
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Opportunity to be active
Only four in 10 (42%) disabled people feel they have the opportunity to be as active as they want to be, compared to 69% of non-disabled people
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Motivations to be active
Three in five (61 per cent) disabled people are motivated to be active to improve or maintain their physical health. Health and wellbeing, feeling good about themselves, and fun and enjoyment are important when thinking about being active after the pandemic.
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Attitudes towards disabled people
Almost nine in 10 disabled people (87 per cent) agree that attitudes about disabled people need to improve generally.
