GITNUXREPORT 2025

Ableism Statistics

Global disability gaps hinder inclusion, economics, and social participation worldwide.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

About 60% of children with disabilities do not attend school, compared to 20% of children without disabilities

Statistic 2

Nearly 80% of children with disabilities in developing countries do not have access to appropriate education

Statistic 3

Nearly 90% of children with disabilities in developing countries are out of school, versus 44% in developed countries

Statistic 4

Disabled individuals face a 20% higher unemployment rate than the general population

Statistic 5

In the workplace, accessible technology increases productivity for employees with disabilities by up to 20%

Statistic 6

Discrimination in employment can reduce lifetime earnings of people with disabilities by up to $370,000

Statistic 7

The employment participation rate for people with disabilities is approximately 20% lower than that of non-disabled peers globally

Statistic 8

People with disabilities are 50% more likely to live in extreme poverty compared to those without disabilities

Statistic 9

The global economic loss due to disparities faced by people with disabilities is estimated at over $1 trillion annually

Statistic 10

Approximately 1 in 7 people worldwide experience some form of disability

Statistic 11

More than 70% of people with disabilities worldwide live in low-income countries

Statistic 12

Access to healthcare for disabled individuals is often limited due to physical barriers, lack of trained personnel, or stigma

Statistic 13

People with disabilities are 1.5 times more likely to report poor mental health than those without disabilities

Statistic 14

Approximately 15% of the world's population lives with some form of disability, accounting for over 1 billion people

Statistic 15

The median age of people with disabilities is 10 years higher in high-income countries compared to low-income countries, indicating disparities in aging and access

Statistic 16

Substance abuse is more prevalent among people with disabilities, with estimates suggesting rates up to 10% higher than the general population

Statistic 17

Limited access to assistive technologies affects millions of disabled individuals’ ability to live independently, with fewer than 10% worldwide having access to necessary devices

Statistic 18

People with disabilities have higher rates of homelessness, with estimates suggesting 23% of homeless individuals have some form of disability

Statistic 19

Children with disabilities are 3 times less likely to receive timely health services, contributing to poorer health outcomes

Statistic 20

The global market for assistive devices is expected to reach $26 billion by 2027, highlighting unmet needs and economic opportunities

Statistic 21

In many countries, anti-discrimination laws protecting disabled individuals are either weak or poorly enforced

Statistic 22

Only 27% of countries have policies explicitly addressing disability inclusion

Statistic 23

Only about 40% of countries have made efforts to implement disability-inclusive emergency preparedness plans

Statistic 24

An estimated 35% of arrests involve individuals with disabilities being detained or restrained improperly

Statistic 25

Only about 20% of countries have laws that effectively address disability employment discrimination

Statistic 26

Nearly 40% of governments lack comprehensive national policies to support disability rights and inclusion, impeding progress

Statistic 27

Only 50% of workplaces worldwide have accessible facilities for employees with disabilities

Statistic 28

Only around 10% of buildings worldwide are fully accessible

Statistic 29

Only 25% of public places worldwide offer full accessibility for individuals with disabilities

Statistic 30

The cost of inaccessible transportation systems prevents millions of disabled individuals from participating in daily activities

Statistic 31

Less than 5% of public transportation is wheelchair accessible in many parts of the world, leading to significant mobility challenges

Statistic 32

Only about 15% of emergency shelters are physically accessible for all individuals with disabilities, hindering disaster response efforts

Statistic 33

Accessibility modifications in homes and workplaces can increase the employment rate of people with disabilities by nearly 10%, according to studies

Statistic 34

The lack of accessible voting options prevents millions of disabled people from exercising their democratic rights, with only about 40% of polling stations worldwide fully accessible

Statistic 35

People with disabilities are twice as likely to experience social exclusion

Statistic 36

Accessibility barriers prevent approximately 1 billion people globally from fully participating in society

Statistic 37

People with disabilities are 2 to 3 times more likely to experience violence and abuse

Statistic 38

People with disabilities are underrepresented in media, comprising less than 2% of characters in popular films

Statistic 39

Approximately 85% of people with disabilities worldwide live in low- and middle-income countries, facing greater barriers to inclusion

Statistic 40

Discriminatory attitudes persist in many societies, with over 60% of people worldwide holding negative views about disability, impacting inclusion efforts

Statistic 41

Discrimination and lack of accessibility contribute to higher rates of mental health issues among disabled populations, with depression affecting up to 40% in some groups

Statistic 42

Many public websites and digital services still lack basic accessibility features, with estimates suggesting over 85% are not fully accessible

Statistic 43

Discriminatory attitudes and physical barriers cause many disabled people to experience social isolation, impacting mental health and community engagement

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Key Highlights

Approximately 1 in 7 people worldwide experience some form of disability
People with disabilities are 50% more likely to live in extreme poverty compared to those without disabilities
Disabled individuals face a 20% higher unemployment rate than the general population
Only 50% of workplaces worldwide have accessible facilities for employees with disabilities
About 60% of children with disabilities do not attend school, compared to 20% of children without disabilities
People with disabilities are twice as likely to experience social exclusion
In many countries, anti-discrimination laws protecting disabled individuals are either weak or poorly enforced
Accessibility barriers prevent approximately 1 billion people globally from fully participating in society
Only around 10% of buildings worldwide are fully accessible
Nearly 80% of children with disabilities in developing countries do not have access to appropriate education
The global economic loss due to disparities faced by people with disabilities is estimated at over $1 trillion annually
People with disabilities are 2 to 3 times more likely to experience violence and abuse
Only 27% of countries have policies explicitly addressing disability inclusion

Despite over a billion people worldwide living with disabilities and facing staggering barriers—from unemployment and poverty to social exclusion and inaccessible infrastructure—ableism remains a pervasive and often overlooked obstacle that prevents full participation and equity for disabled communities across the globe.

Education

About 60% of children with disabilities do not attend school, compared to 20% of children without disabilities
Nearly 80% of children with disabilities in developing countries do not have access to appropriate education
Nearly 90% of children with disabilities in developing countries are out of school, versus 44% in developed countries

Education Interpretation

These stark disparities reveal that while disability should not be a barrier to education, in many parts of the world it still is, exposing a brutal gap between the promise of inclusion and the harsh reality faced by children with disabilities.

Employment

Disabled individuals face a 20% higher unemployment rate than the general population
In the workplace, accessible technology increases productivity for employees with disabilities by up to 20%
Discrimination in employment can reduce lifetime earnings of people with disabilities by up to $370,000
The employment participation rate for people with disabilities is approximately 20% lower than that of non-disabled peers globally

Employment Interpretation

These statistics reveal that while accessible technology can boost productivity, pervasive ableism continues to hinder employment opportunities for disabled individuals, costing economies hundreds of thousands of dollars and underscoring the urgent need for systemic change.

Employment, Education, and Economic Participation

People with disabilities are 50% more likely to live in extreme poverty compared to those without disabilities
The global economic loss due to disparities faced by people with disabilities is estimated at over $1 trillion annually

Employment, Education, and Economic Participation Interpretation

These staggering numbers remind us that when society neglects accessibility, it doesn't just hurt individuals—it costs the global economy over a trillion dollars a year, proving that inclusivity isn't just moral; it's financially vital.

Health and Healthcare Access

Approximately 1 in 7 people worldwide experience some form of disability
More than 70% of people with disabilities worldwide live in low-income countries
Access to healthcare for disabled individuals is often limited due to physical barriers, lack of trained personnel, or stigma
People with disabilities are 1.5 times more likely to report poor mental health than those without disabilities
Approximately 15% of the world's population lives with some form of disability, accounting for over 1 billion people
The median age of people with disabilities is 10 years higher in high-income countries compared to low-income countries, indicating disparities in aging and access
Substance abuse is more prevalent among people with disabilities, with estimates suggesting rates up to 10% higher than the general population
Limited access to assistive technologies affects millions of disabled individuals’ ability to live independently, with fewer than 10% worldwide having access to necessary devices
People with disabilities have higher rates of homelessness, with estimates suggesting 23% of homeless individuals have some form of disability
Children with disabilities are 3 times less likely to receive timely health services, contributing to poorer health outcomes
The global market for assistive devices is expected to reach $26 billion by 2027, highlighting unmet needs and economic opportunities

Health and Healthcare Access Interpretation

Despite representing over 15% of the global population and facing pervasive barriers—from inaccessible healthcare to limited assistive technology—people with disabilities continue to be marginalized, reminding us that inclusion is not just compassionate but essential for a truly equitable world.

Legal Frameworks and Policy Measures

In many countries, anti-discrimination laws protecting disabled individuals are either weak or poorly enforced
Only 27% of countries have policies explicitly addressing disability inclusion
Only about 40% of countries have made efforts to implement disability-inclusive emergency preparedness plans
An estimated 35% of arrests involve individuals with disabilities being detained or restrained improperly
Only about 20% of countries have laws that effectively address disability employment discrimination
Nearly 40% of governments lack comprehensive national policies to support disability rights and inclusion, impeding progress

Legal Frameworks and Policy Measures Interpretation

Despite growing awareness, the stark statistics reveal that global efforts to protect and empower disabled individuals remain woefully inadequate, highlighting a pressing need for stronger laws, enforcement, and inclusive policies to turn good intentions into tangible rights.

Physical Accessibility and Infrastructure

Only 50% of workplaces worldwide have accessible facilities for employees with disabilities
Only around 10% of buildings worldwide are fully accessible
Only 25% of public places worldwide offer full accessibility for individuals with disabilities
The cost of inaccessible transportation systems prevents millions of disabled individuals from participating in daily activities
Less than 5% of public transportation is wheelchair accessible in many parts of the world, leading to significant mobility challenges
Only about 15% of emergency shelters are physically accessible for all individuals with disabilities, hindering disaster response efforts
Accessibility modifications in homes and workplaces can increase the employment rate of people with disabilities by nearly 10%, according to studies
The lack of accessible voting options prevents millions of disabled people from exercising their democratic rights, with only about 40% of polling stations worldwide fully accessible

Physical Accessibility and Infrastructure Interpretation

Despite the moral imperative and potential societal gains, the stark reality remains: accessibility remains a distant dream for the majority, as global infrastructure continues to eclipse the rights and participation of millions with disabilities—highlighting an urgent need for systemic change rooted in empathy, investment, and inclusive design.

Social Attitudes, Discrimination, and Inclusion

People with disabilities are twice as likely to experience social exclusion
Accessibility barriers prevent approximately 1 billion people globally from fully participating in society
People with disabilities are 2 to 3 times more likely to experience violence and abuse
People with disabilities are underrepresented in media, comprising less than 2% of characters in popular films
Approximately 85% of people with disabilities worldwide live in low- and middle-income countries, facing greater barriers to inclusion
Discriminatory attitudes persist in many societies, with over 60% of people worldwide holding negative views about disability, impacting inclusion efforts
Discrimination and lack of accessibility contribute to higher rates of mental health issues among disabled populations, with depression affecting up to 40% in some groups
Many public websites and digital services still lack basic accessibility features, with estimates suggesting over 85% are not fully accessible
Discriminatory attitudes and physical barriers cause many disabled people to experience social isolation, impacting mental health and community engagement

Social Attitudes, Discrimination, and Inclusion Interpretation

Despite the undeniable presence of nearly 1 billion people with disabilities worldwide, their persistent social exclusion, underrepresentation, and systemic barriers reveal that society continues to prioritize able-bodied perspectives over true inclusion, turning accessibility from an afterthought into a moral imperative.