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 39 facts and statistics.
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Disabled people in the UK
There are 16.1 million disabled people in the UK, accounting for nearly one in four (24%) of the total population. This is an increase of 3.9 million more disabled people than ten years ago.
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Outdoor spaces
Less than half (44%) of disabled people say it’s easy for them to physically access outdoor spaces (vs 78% of non-disabled people). Around a third of disabled people report having difficulty physically accessing outdoor spaces like parks, countryside, or woodland (32%).
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Region
Disability is most prevalent in the North East of England. 31% of people in the North East are disabled, seven percentage points above the UK average. London has the lowest prevalence at 15%.
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Gender
There are more disabled women than men. 26% of women (8.8 million) in the UK are disabled, compared to 22% of men (7.2 million).
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Age
The prevalence of disability rises with age. In the UK, 11% of children are disabled compared with 23% of working age adults and 45% of people over state pension age.
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Physical Activity Guidelines
For substantial health gains, disabled adults should aim for at least 150 minutes each week of moderate intensity activity and do strength and balance activities on at least two days per week
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Disabled people's activity levels
Disabled adults are almost twice as likely as non-disabled people to be physically inactive (40.8% vs 20.7%).
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Disabled people's participation
Three-quarters (76%) of disabled people would like to be more active.
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Disabled people and organised activity
Just one in five (20%) disabled people had taken part in an organised activity session in the last year, compared to 25% 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. This includes physios, occupational therapists, and other medical professionals (50% disabled people vs 31% of non-disabled people); specialist doctors, consultants, or medical practitioners (49% of disabled people vs 28% of non-disabled people); and GPs or nurses (48% disabled people vs 32% of non-disabled people).
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Motivations to be active
Two-thirds (66%) of disabled people are motivated to be active to improve or maintain their physical health. Mental health and wellbeing, feeling good about themselves, and fun and enjoyment are important when thinking about being active.
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Barriers to being active
79% of disabled people say their impairment or health condition stops them from being as active as they would like.
