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.
Search our research pages to read our latest reports.
Found 38 facts and statistics.
-
Perceptions of sport
60% of disabled people and 65% of non-disabled people agreed ‘physical activity and exercise are 'for disabled people'’.
-
Loneliness
Over half (55%) of people with complex disabilities feel lonely compared to a quarter (26%) of the general public.
-
Transport
72% of people with complex disabilities use some form of public transport day-to-day with over half (52%) of people with complex disabilities relying on public transport to see friends and family.
The biggest barriers affecting people with complex disabilities on public transport were overcrowding (43%), unreliable services (30%) and cost (29%). Over half (52%) found public transport difficult because of the attitudes of other passengers towards disabled people.
-
Largest impairment groups
The largest impairment groups in the UK were people with a mental health impairment (46%). This was closely followed by a mobility impairment (40%). The third most likely impairment type was to do with stamina, breathing or fatigue (33%).
-
Multiple impairments
Disabled people with five or more impairments are more likely to be inactive (50% vs 24% of those with one impairment).
-
Disabled people and hate crime
10,224 disability hate crimes were reported to police In the year ending March 2025. This is an 8% decrease from the previous year.
-
Disabled people's experiences
In 2018, one in three (32%) disabled people said that there is a lot of prejudice against disabled people in Britain.
-
Inclusive sport and activity
Two thirds (64%) of disabled people would prefer to take part in sport with both disabled and non-disabled people. In 2012, just half (51%) were doing so.
-
Non-disabled people and inclusive activities
In 2016, just 14% of non-disabled people were aware of having previously taken part in sport with disabled people. However, almost three quarters (73%) of non-disabled people said they were open to taking part in sport with disabled people.
-
Disabled people and the internet
Disabled people in England are less likely than non-disabled people to have accessed the internet in 2019 (81.4% vs 95.7%). 14.9% of disabled adults had still never used the internet compared with 3.4% of non-disabled adults.
-
Disabled people and digital skills
Disabled people are 35% less likely to have essential digital skills than non-disabled people.
-
Walking and cycling for travel
Disabled adults are less likely to walk for travel (43.6% compared to 58.4% of non-disabled people) and cycle for travel (7.4% compared to 13.4% of non-disabled people).
