Disability in context, labour market overview

There were 9.8 million people of working age in the UK in 2023 with disabilities (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) - 23% of the total working age population.

Amongst those with disabilities, just 54% were in work compared with 82% of individuals without. Conversely, 43% of those with disabilities were classed as ‘inactive’ compared with just 21% of the wider population.

Disability and economic activity of the working aged population (2023)

Source: Analysis of ONS Quarterly Labour Force Survey by BCS
* includes a small number of individuals in work but not as employees / self-employed (i.e., <1% of the total)

Though accounting for 23% of the population, people with disabilities constituted only 17% of the total UK workforce in 2023 (i.e. 16% of workers that were employees, 19% of those that were self-employed and 35% of those in other working arrangements).