Key Takeaways
- In the United States, approximately 4.6 million adults aged 18 and older have intellectual disabilities, representing about 1.8% of the adult population.
- Globally, an estimated 200 million adults live with intellectual disabilities, with prevalence rates varying from 0.5% to 3% across countries.
- Among U.S. adults with intellectual disabilities, 58% are male and 42% are female, showing a slight male predominance.
- Adults with intellectual disabilities have a 20-30 year shorter life expectancy than the general population, averaging 60-65 years.
- 85% of U.S. adults with intellectual disabilities experience co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety or depression.
- Obesity rates among adults with intellectual disabilities: 35-40%, double the general population.
- Only 20% of U.S. adults with intellectual disabilities are employed full-time.
- Unemployment rate among U.S. adults with ID: 80-85%, compared to 4% general.
- Median annual income for working adults with ID: $12,000, half the minimum wage equivalent.
- Only 12% of U.S. adults with intellectual disabilities complete postsecondary education.
- In the UK, 25% of adults with ID aged 19-24 are in further education.
- Australia: Literacy rates among adults with ID: 40% functional level.
- 52% of U.S. adults with intellectual disabilities live with family caregivers.
- In the UK, 35% live independently or semi-independently with support.
- Australia: 20% of adults with ID in group homes, 10% alone.
Millions of adults worldwide with intellectual disabilities face significant inequality and health disparities.
Demographics
- In the United States, approximately 4.6 million adults aged 18 and older have intellectual disabilities, representing about 1.8% of the adult population.
- Globally, an estimated 200 million adults live with intellectual disabilities, with prevalence rates varying from 0.5% to 3% across countries.
- Among U.S. adults with intellectual disabilities, 58% are male and 42% are female, showing a slight male predominance.
- In Europe, the prevalence of intellectual disabilities among adults aged 18-64 is about 1.2%, affecting roughly 8 million individuals.
- U.S. adults with intellectual disabilities are disproportionately from low-income households, with 40% living below the federal poverty level.
- In Australia, 1 in 100 adults has an intellectual disability, totaling around 190,000 adults as of 2021 census data.
- Racial disparities show that Black adults in the U.S. are 1.5 times more likely to have intellectual disabilities than White adults.
- In the UK, over 1.5 million adults have intellectual disabilities, with 50% living in family homes and 30% in supported accommodations.
- Canadian adults with intellectual disabilities number about 500,000, or 2% of the adult population aged 15+.
- In India, estimates suggest 18 million adults with intellectual disabilities, comprising 1.4% of the adult populace.
- U.S. adults with intellectual disabilities have a median age of 42 years, with 25% over 55 years old.
- In Japan, 1.2% of adults aged 18-64 have intellectual disabilities, totaling approximately 1.2 million.
- Hispanic adults in the U.S. represent 20% of those with intellectual disabilities, despite being 18% of the general population.
- In South Africa, prevalence among adults is 2.5%, affecting over 1 million individuals in urban areas alone.
- Rural U.S. adults with intellectual disabilities face higher isolation rates, comprising 28% of cases versus 20% urban.
- In Brazil, about 2 million adults have intellectual disabilities, with 60% in the 18-40 age group.
- Immigrant adults in Europe show 1.8% prevalence of intellectual disabilities, higher than native populations at 1.1%.
- In New Zealand, Māori adults have a 2.2% rate of intellectual disabilities compared to 1.1% for non-Māori.
- U.S. adults with intellectual disabilities from single-parent homes: 35%, double the general population rate.
- In China, urban adults with intellectual disabilities: 0.8%, rural: 1.5%, totaling 15 million.
- Adults with intellectual disabilities in the U.S. military veteran population: 3.2%, higher due to service-related factors.
- In Germany, 1.3 million adults with intellectual disabilities, 55% male.
- LGBTQ+ adults with intellectual disabilities in U.S.: 5-10% identify as such, facing compounded discrimination.
- In Sweden, prevalence stabilized at 1.4% for adults, with better diagnostics post-2000.
- U.S. adults with co-occurring autism and intellectual disabilities: 30% of ID population.
- In France, 800,000 adults with intellectual disabilities, 40% in institutional settings.
- Adults with intellectual disabilities in U.S. prisons: 4-10%, overrepresented.
- In Italy, 1 million adults affected, with regional variations from 0.9% north to 1.6% south.
- U.S. adults with Down syndrome (common ID cause): 400,000, median age 35.
- In Russia, estimated 2.5 million adults with intellectual disabilities, underreported.
Demographics Interpretation
Education
- Only 12% of U.S. adults with intellectual disabilities complete postsecondary education.
- In the UK, 25% of adults with ID aged 19-24 are in further education.
- Australia: Literacy rates among adults with ID: 40% functional level.
- U.S.: Transition from high school to adult ed: 50% dropout rate for ID students.
- Europe: Adult literacy programs reach only 15% of adults with intellectual disabilities.
- In Canada, 30% of adults with ID participate in lifelong learning courses.
- Vocational education enrollment: 20% of U.S. adults with ID annually.
- Online learning access: 35% of adults with ID use digital education tools.
- In Germany, special adult education centers serve 100,000 with ID yearly.
- Numeracy skills: Only 25% of adults with mild ID achieve basic proficiency.
- U.S. community college programs for ID adults: Enroll 15,000 students.
- In Sweden, 45% adult participation in supported education programs.
- Dropout from adult ed: 60% for adults with intellectual disabilities due to transport.
- Digital literacy training: Reaches 10% of U.S. adults with ID.
- In Japan, lifelong learning for ID adults: 18% enrollment rate.
- Inclusive higher ed: 5% of adults with ID in mainstream classes.
- Teacher training for ID adults: Only 20% of educators certified.
- In Australia, post-school options: 40% attend specialist disability employment services with training.
- Financial literacy programs: 12% uptake among U.S. adults with ID.
- Language skills: 30% of non-native adults with ID achieve conversational level.
- U.S.: Arts education participation: 25% of adults with ID in community programs.
- In UK, Open University courses adapted for ID: 1,000 adults enrolled.
- STEM education access: Less than 5% for adults with intellectual disabilities.
Education Interpretation
Employment
- Only 20% of U.S. adults with intellectual disabilities are employed full-time.
- Unemployment rate among U.S. adults with ID: 80-85%, compared to 4% general.
- Median annual income for working adults with ID: $12,000, half the minimum wage equivalent.
- In the UK, only 6% of adults with intellectual disabilities are in paid employment.
- Australia: 22% employment rate for adults with ID aged 15-64, mostly part-time.
- U.S. sheltered workshops employ 30% of working adults with ID at sub-minimum wages.
- In Canada, 25% of adults with ID have jobs, but 70% earn below poverty line.
- Europe: Competitive employment rate for adults with ID: under 20% on average.
- U.S. adults with ID in supported employment: 15%, with 50% retention after 2 years.
- Job retention rate: 40% of adults with ID quit within first year due to lack of support.
- In Germany, 25% employment rate, highest in EU, via vocational rehab programs.
- U.S.: Adults with Down syndrome employment: 20%, often in food service.
- Poverty rate: 77% for U.S. adults with ID not employed.
- In Sweden, 40% of adults with mild ID work full-time with subsidies.
- Vocational training completion: Only 35% of U.S. adults with ID finish programs leading to jobs.
- Underemployment: 60% of employed adults with ID work under 20 hours/week.
- In Japan, 15% employment rate, focused on group homes with work.
- Discrimination claims: U.S. adults with ID file 10% of EEOC disability cases.
- Self-employment among adults with ID: Less than 5% globally.
- In Australia, customised employment helps 50% more adults with ID secure jobs.
- U.S. wage disparity: Adults with ID earn 58 cents per general worker dollar.
- Remote work post-COVID: Only 8% of adults with ID transitioned to it.
- In UK, apprenticeships for adults with ID: 2% participation rate.
- Career advancement: Less than 10% of U.S. adults with ID promoted in 5 years.
Employment Interpretation
Health
- Adults with intellectual disabilities have a 20-30 year shorter life expectancy than the general population, averaging 60-65 years.
- 85% of U.S. adults with intellectual disabilities experience co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety or depression.
- Obesity rates among adults with intellectual disabilities: 35-40%, double the general population.
- Epilepsy affects 20-30% of adults with intellectual disabilities worldwide.
- In the UK, 50% of adults with intellectual disabilities have sleep disorders, leading to daytime fatigue.
- U.S. adults with ID have 3 times higher rates of gastrointestinal issues, including GERD at 25%.
- Dementia prevalence in adults with Down syndrome (ID subtype): 50% by age 60.
- 40% of adults with intellectual disabilities smoke tobacco, higher than general 15% rate.
- In Australia, 25% of adults with ID have diagnosed cardiovascular disease, versus 12% general.
- Sensory impairments: 50% of U.S. adults with ID have vision problems, 40% hearing.
- COVID-19 mortality rate for adults with ID: 7.3 per 1000, over 2x general population.
- 30% of adults with intellectual disabilities have thyroid disorders, often undiagnosed.
- In Canada, diabetes prevalence: 18% in adults with ID vs. 7% general adults.
- Oral health: 70% of adults with ID have untreated dental caries or gum disease.
- Osteoporosis affects 25% of postmenopausal women with intellectual disabilities.
- In Europe, 15% of adults with ID have diagnosed ADHD as comorbidity.
- U.S. adults with ID: 12% have experienced physical abuse, leading to chronic pain.
- Respiratory infections hospitalization rate: 4x higher for adults with intellectual disabilities.
- 60% of adults with ID have mobility limitations requiring assistive devices.
- In the UK, cancer screening uptake: 30% lower for adults with intellectual disabilities.
- HIV prevalence among adults with ID: 2-3%, higher in institutional settings.
- Chronic constipation affects 40% of adults with intellectual disabilities due to medication side effects.
- In U.S., 22% of adults with ID have seizure disorders persisting into adulthood.
- Mental health crisis admissions: 5x higher rate for adults with intellectual disabilities.
- In Australia, 35% have asthma, poorly managed in 50% of cases.
- U.S. adults with ID and autism: 40% have sleep apnea.
- Liver disease from medications: 10% prevalence in long-term institutionalized adults.
- In Canada, urinary incontinence: 50% of adults with ID over 40.
Health Interpretation
Social Support
- 52% of U.S. adults with intellectual disabilities live with family caregivers.
- In the UK, 35% live independently or semi-independently with support.
- Australia: 20% of adults with ID in group homes, 10% alone.
- Social isolation: 70% of U.S. adults with ID report few friends.
- Marriage rates: Only 5% of adults with intellectual disabilities marry.
- In Canada, family caregiving burden: 60% of caregivers over 60 years old.
- Community participation: 40% attend social clubs weekly.
- U.S.: Abuse victimization: 1 in 4 adults with ID experience annually.
- In Europe, day centers serve 25% of adults with intellectual disabilities.
- Romantic relationships: 15% of U.S. adults with ID in partnerships.
- Caregiver respite services: Used by 30% of families in Australia.
- Voting participation: 50% of eligible U.S. adults with ID vote.
- In Germany, supported living models house 40% of adults with ID.
- Loneliness rates: 60% of adults with ID feel lonely often.
- U.S. peer mentoring programs: Reach 10% of adults with ID.
- In Sweden, co-housing projects for ID adults: 15% utilization.
- Transportation support: 45% rely on family for social outings.
- Faith community inclusion: 30% regular attendance for U.S. adults with ID.
- In Japan, family support networks cover 70% of adults with ID.
- Bullying in adulthood: 25% experience from peers.
- U.S. self-advocacy groups: 20,000 members who are adults with ID.
- In UK, befriending schemes pair 5% with volunteers.
- Sexual health education access: 40% receive formal support.
- Community sports: Special Olympics serves 500,000 adults globally.
- In Canada, transition planning to adulthood: 55% have individualized supports.
Social Support Interpretation
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