There are 16 million disabled people in the UK.
Source: Family Resources Survey (2021 to 2022)
Some 5 million disabled people are in work.
The employment rate of disabled people is 53%. Compared to 82% of non-disabled people.
Disabled people are almost twice as likely to be unemployed as non-disabled people, and 3 times as likely to be economically inactive.
The disability employment gap is 29%.
The disability employment gap measures the difference between the employment rate of disabled people, compared to that of non-disabled people.
Source: Labour Force Survey October to December 2021
The average disabled household faces £975 a month in extra costs. This figure is updated yearly. Check the latest figure.
Source: Scope - The disability price tag (2023)
After housing costs, the proportion of working age disabled people living in poverty is 27%. Which is higher than the proportion of working age non-disabled people at 19%.
Source: Scope's analysis based on Households Below Average Income (2019 to 20)
The total spending power of families with at least 1 disabled person is estimated at £274 billion a year.
Source: Scope's analysis based on Household Below Average Income (2017 to 18)
Disabled people and their families experience a range of different attitudes and behaviours, such as:
Source: Attitudes and disability (2022)
UK Government disability facts and figures
Scope carries out research to develop policy so we can campaign to create a fairer society for disabled people.