There were an estimated 3.7 million people of working age (16-64) with disabilities in employment in January-March 2018, an employment rate of 50.7%. The rate for people without disabilities was 81.1%.

376,000 people with disabilities of working age were unemployed. People with disabilities have an unemployment rate of 9.1%. The rate for people without disabilities was 3.6%.

3.3 million people with disabilities of working age were economically inactive. These people were not in work and not looking for work. The economic inactivity rate for those with disabilities was 44.2%.

Employment and Health Condition

The highest employment rate for a health condition group (difficulty in hearing) was still 13 percentage points below the equivalent figure for non-disabled working age adults. Less than a quarter of people with learning difficulties, a speech impediment or mental health conditions were in work.

Employment and Education

The employment rate was highest for disabled people with a degree (or equivalent) at (71.7%). The rate was lowest for those without a qualification (17.0%).

You can read the full briefing which includes additional statistics and brief information about various government initiatives to support disabled people to gain and maintain work here.

This article contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0.