Employment Discrimination Statistics

GITNUXREPORT 2026

Employment Discrimination Statistics

This page tracks how age and disability claims dominate EEOC filings and how the costs are rising, with disability charges at 37.0% of all EEOC cases in FY 2023 and age charges reaching 18.5% of the total. You will see the sharp contrasts behind the headlines, from 64% of workers over 55 reporting age bias to 25% of disabled adults being unemployed compared with 5% of non-disabled people.

116 statistics5 sections6 min readUpdated 9 days ago

Key Statistics

Statistic 1

FY 2023 age charges: 18.5% of EEOC total

Statistic 2

Workers over 55 face 4x layoff rates

Statistic 3

64% of older workers see age bias

Statistic 4

EEOC FY 2022 age charges: 14,235 with $50.2M benefits

Statistic 5

Unemployment for 55+: 5.9% vs 3.4% overall 2023

Statistic 6

FY 2021 age charges: 15,542

Statistic 7

Older workers 2x less likely recalled post-layoff

Statistic 8

90% of employers prefer younger hires

Statistic 9

FY 2020 age charges: 14,183

Statistic 10

Age 50+ workers earn 11% less when switching jobs

Statistic 11

EEOC age suits: 15 in FY 2023

Statistic 12

FY 2019 age charges: 15,573

Statistic 13

75% of older workers train younger colleagues without promotion

Statistic 14

FY 2018 age charges: 15,294

Statistic 15

Mandatory retirement affects 20% of professions

Statistic 16

FY 2017 age charges: 18,376

Statistic 17

Over-40 workers 50% less job search success

Statistic 18

EEOC ADEA recoveries: $40M in FY 2022

Statistic 19

FY 2016 age charges: 20,857

Statistic 20

55% of 50+ report ageist comments

Statistic 21

FY 2023 disability charges: 37.0% of total EEOC

Statistic 22

EEOC FY 2022 disability charges: 30,168 with $224.8M benefits

Statistic 23

25% of disabled adults unemployed vs 5% non-disabled

Statistic 24

61% of disabled workers report discrimination

Statistic 25

FY 2021 disability charges: 37,100

Statistic 26

Mental health conditions in 35% of ADA charges

Statistic 27

Disabled workers earn 25% less

Statistic 28

FY 2020 disability charges: 35,907

Statistic 29

19% of accommodations denied

Statistic 30

EEOC disability lawsuits: 140 in FY 2023

Statistic 31

FY 2019 disability charges: 26,302

Statistic 32

Autism employment rate: 14%

Statistic 33

FY 2018 disability charges: 26,838

Statistic 34

70% of disabled face hiring bias

Statistic 35

FY 2017 disability charges: 25,957

Statistic 36

Chronic illness workers 2x layoff risk

Statistic 37

EEOC ADA settlements: $100M+ annually

Statistic 38

FY 2016 disability charges: 25,240

Statistic 39

Blind workers unemployment 70%

Statistic 40

40% of epilepsy workers hide condition

Statistic 41

In FY 2023, sex discrimination charges were 24.5% of EEOC total

Statistic 42

Women earn 84 cents for every dollar men earn in 2023

Statistic 43

42% of women report gender discrimination at work

Statistic 44

EEOC FY 2022 sex charges: 20,354 with $85.6M benefits

Statistic 45

76% of sexual harassment charges filed by women

Statistic 46

LGBTQ workers 30% more likely to be harassed

Statistic 47

FY 2021 sex charges: 22,251

Statistic 48

Gender pay gap widest for mothers: 75 cents

Statistic 49

50% of women in STEM leave due to bias

Statistic 50

EEOC pregnancy discrimination charges up 20% in 2023

Statistic 51

Transgender workers face 2x unemployment rate

Statistic 52

FY 2020 sex charges: 21,398

Statistic 53

35% of men report reverse discrimination claims

Statistic 54

Equal Pay Act charges: 980 in FY 2023

Statistic 55

Women 47% less likely promoted to manager

Statistic 56

FY 2019 sex charges: 25,119

Statistic 57

25% of LGBTQ report termination due to identity

Statistic 58

FY 2018 sex charges: 25,785

Statistic 59

Gender bias in performance reviews: women 1.4x more negative feedback

Statistic 60

FY 2017 sex charges: 25,110

Statistic 61

60% of women experience sexual harassment

Statistic 62

EEOC sex merits suits: 88 in FY 2023

Statistic 63

FY 2016 sex charges: 25,860

Statistic 64

Bisexual employees 1.5x higher bullying rates

Statistic 65

National origin charges FY 2023: 7.9%

Statistic 66

Retaliation charges: 44.1% of all EEOC in FY 2023

Statistic 67

Religion charges: 2.3% in FY 2022

Statistic 68

Muslim workers 2.6x more discrimination claims post-9/11

Statistic 69

FY 2021 national origin charges: 6,211

Statistic 70

24% of immigrants report accent discrimination

Statistic 71

EEOC religion charges FY 2023: 2,008

Statistic 72

Retaliation recoveries: $300M+ in FY 2022

Statistic 73

FY 2020 religion charges: 2,404

Statistic 74

15% of Jewish workers face antisemitism at work

Statistic 75

National origin suits: 20 in FY 2023

Statistic 76

FY 2019 religion charges: 2,725

Statistic 77

35% retaliation after filing internal complaints

Statistic 78

FY 2018 national origin charges: 6,758

Statistic 79

Sikh turban accommodations denied in 20% cases

Statistic 80

Genetic info charges: 220 in FY 2023

Statistic 81

FY 2017 religion charges: 3,027

Statistic 82

28% of whistleblowers face retaliation

Statistic 83

FY 2016 national origin charges: 7,243

Statistic 84

Hindu workers report 40% higher bias

Statistic 85

EEOC total charges FY 2023: 81,055

Statistic 86

Retaliation most common basis for charges over 20 years

Statistic 87

In FY 2023, race discrimination charges made up 32.6% of all EEOC charges

Statistic 88

Black workers face 2.5 times higher unemployment rate than white workers as of 2023

Statistic 89

36% of Black employees report experiencing discrimination at work

Statistic 90

In 2022, EEOC resolved 22,064 race charges with $128.5 million in benefits

Statistic 91

Hispanic workers have a 50% higher layoff rate during recessions

Statistic 92

45% of Asian American workers report workplace discrimination

Statistic 93

EEOC FY 2021 race charges: 23,896 total

Statistic 94

Native American unemployment rate is 2x national average

Statistic 95

28% of Black women report race-based promotion denials

Statistic 96

Audit studies show resumes with Black names get 50% fewer callbacks

Statistic 97

FY 2020 race charges: 24,432

Statistic 98

Color discrimination charges: 3.2% of total in FY 2022

Statistic 99

41% of Latinos report discrimination in hiring

Statistic 100

EEOC race lawsuits filed: 105 in FY 2023

Statistic 101

Black men 2x more likely to be passed over for raises

Statistic 102

FY 2019 race charges: 26,124

Statistic 103

30% of multiracial workers face bias

Statistic 104

Resume studies: African American names 14% fewer callbacks

Statistic 105

FY 2018 race charges: 28,528

Statistic 106

52% of Black professionals report microaggressions

Statistic 107

Hispanic wage gap: 17% less than whites

Statistic 108

FY 2017 race charges: 34,364

Statistic 109

Asian workers 2x more likely to experience accent bias

Statistic 110

EEOC color charges FY 2023: 2,985

Statistic 111

25% of Black employees quit due to discrimination

Statistic 112

FY 2016 race charges: 32,548

Statistic 113

Native Hawaiian unemployment 10.1% vs 3.7% national

Statistic 114

40% of South Asian workers report bias

Statistic 115

EEOC race merits suits: 12 in FY 2022

Statistic 116

Black-white hiring gap persists at 36%

Sources
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Rachel Svensson

Written by Rachel Svensson·Edited by Megan Gallagher·Fact-checked by Jonathan Hale

Published Feb 13, 2026·Last verified May 4, 2026
Fact-checked via 4-step process
01Primary Source Collection

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02Editorial Curation

Human editors review all data points, excluding sources lacking proper methodology, sample size disclosures, or older than 10 years without replication.

03AI-Powered Verification

Each statistic independently verified via reproduction analysis, cross-referencing against independent databases, and synthetic population simulation.

04Human Cross-Check

Final human editorial review of all AI-verified statistics. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are.

Read our full methodology →

Statistics that fail independent corroboration are excluded.

EEOC records show retaliation is the most common basis for charges, accounting for 44.1% of all EEOC charges in FY 2023, a figure that helps explain why so many cases persist even after a complaint is made. At the same time, age discrimination is far from niche with 18.5% of EEOC age charges tied to workers 55 and over, who face four times the layoff rates. Taken together, these statistics reveal patterns that reach beyond intent into everyday hiring, pay, and job security.

Key Takeaways

  • FY 2023 age charges: 18.5% of EEOC total
  • Workers over 55 face 4x layoff rates
  • 64% of older workers see age bias
  • FY 2023 disability charges: 37.0% of total EEOC
  • EEOC FY 2022 disability charges: 30,168 with $224.8M benefits
  • 25% of disabled adults unemployed vs 5% non-disabled
  • In FY 2023, sex discrimination charges were 24.5% of EEOC total
  • Women earn 84 cents for every dollar men earn in 2023
  • 42% of women report gender discrimination at work
  • National origin charges FY 2023: 7.9%
  • Retaliation charges: 44.1% of all EEOC in FY 2023
  • Religion charges: 2.3% in FY 2022
  • In FY 2023, race discrimination charges made up 32.6% of all EEOC charges
  • Black workers face 2.5 times higher unemployment rate than white workers as of 2023
  • 36% of Black employees report experiencing discrimination at work

Age and disability discrimination are widespread, with older and disabled workers facing higher bias and layoffs.

Age Discrimination

1FY 2023 age charges: 18.5% of EEOC total
Verified
2Workers over 55 face 4x layoff rates
Verified
364% of older workers see age bias
Directional
4EEOC FY 2022 age charges: 14,235 with $50.2M benefits
Verified
5Unemployment for 55+: 5.9% vs 3.4% overall 2023
Directional
6FY 2021 age charges: 15,542
Verified
7Older workers 2x less likely recalled post-layoff
Directional
890% of employers prefer younger hires
Verified
9FY 2020 age charges: 14,183
Directional
10Age 50+ workers earn 11% less when switching jobs
Single source
11EEOC age suits: 15 in FY 2023
Directional
12FY 2019 age charges: 15,573
Verified
1375% of older workers train younger colleagues without promotion
Verified
14FY 2018 age charges: 15,294
Verified
15Mandatory retirement affects 20% of professions
Verified
16FY 2017 age charges: 18,376
Verified
17Over-40 workers 50% less job search success
Single source
18EEOC ADEA recoveries: $40M in FY 2022
Directional
19FY 2016 age charges: 20,857
Single source
2055% of 50+ report ageist comments
Verified

Age Discrimination Interpretation

Despite the steady drumbeat of age discrimination charges and sobering data showing older workers are four times more likely to be laid off, twice as unlikely to be recalled, and earn significantly less when starting over, it seems many employers still view valuable experience as a liability rather than an asset.

Disability Discrimination

1FY 2023 disability charges: 37.0% of total EEOC
Directional
2EEOC FY 2022 disability charges: 30,168 with $224.8M benefits
Verified
325% of disabled adults unemployed vs 5% non-disabled
Verified
461% of disabled workers report discrimination
Directional
5FY 2021 disability charges: 37,100
Verified
6Mental health conditions in 35% of ADA charges
Directional
7Disabled workers earn 25% less
Verified
8FY 2020 disability charges: 35,907
Directional
919% of accommodations denied
Verified
10EEOC disability lawsuits: 140 in FY 2023
Directional
11FY 2019 disability charges: 26,302
Directional
12Autism employment rate: 14%
Verified
13FY 2018 disability charges: 26,838
Verified
1470% of disabled face hiring bias
Directional
15FY 2017 disability charges: 25,957
Verified
16Chronic illness workers 2x layoff risk
Directional
17EEOC ADA settlements: $100M+ annually
Directional
18FY 2016 disability charges: 25,240
Verified
19Blind workers unemployment 70%
Verified
2040% of epilepsy workers hide condition
Verified

Disability Discrimination Interpretation

Despite accounting for over a third of all EEOC charges and securing hundreds of millions in remedies, the relentless data—from a 70% unemployment rate for blind workers to double the layoff risk for the chronically ill—paints a damning portrait of a workplace culture that still treats disability as an inconvenient asterisk rather than a core dimension of human talent.

Gender Discrimination

1In FY 2023, sex discrimination charges were 24.5% of EEOC total
Directional
2Women earn 84 cents for every dollar men earn in 2023
Verified
342% of women report gender discrimination at work
Verified
4EEOC FY 2022 sex charges: 20,354 with $85.6M benefits
Verified
576% of sexual harassment charges filed by women
Verified
6LGBTQ workers 30% more likely to be harassed
Verified
7FY 2021 sex charges: 22,251
Verified
8Gender pay gap widest for mothers: 75 cents
Verified
950% of women in STEM leave due to bias
Verified
10EEOC pregnancy discrimination charges up 20% in 2023
Verified
11Transgender workers face 2x unemployment rate
Verified
12FY 2020 sex charges: 21,398
Verified
1335% of men report reverse discrimination claims
Verified
14Equal Pay Act charges: 980 in FY 2023
Verified
15Women 47% less likely promoted to manager
Verified
16FY 2019 sex charges: 25,119
Verified
1725% of LGBTQ report termination due to identity
Verified
18FY 2018 sex charges: 25,785
Verified
19Gender bias in performance reviews: women 1.4x more negative feedback
Verified
20FY 2017 sex charges: 25,110
Verified
2160% of women experience sexual harassment
Verified
22EEOC sex merits suits: 88 in FY 2023
Verified
23FY 2016 sex charges: 25,860
Verified
24Bisexual employees 1.5x higher bullying rates
Directional

Gender Discrimination Interpretation

The statistics paint a depressingly consistent portrait of a workplace that, despite decades of litigation and supposed progress, still operates like a broken vending machine for gender equality: it takes more money, makes a lot of noise, and still often fails to deliver the product.

Other Discrimination

1National origin charges FY 2023: 7.9%
Verified
2Retaliation charges: 44.1% of all EEOC in FY 2023
Verified
3Religion charges: 2.3% in FY 2022
Single source
4Muslim workers 2.6x more discrimination claims post-9/11
Verified
5FY 2021 national origin charges: 6,211
Verified
624% of immigrants report accent discrimination
Verified
7EEOC religion charges FY 2023: 2,008
Verified
8Retaliation recoveries: $300M+ in FY 2022
Single source
9FY 2020 religion charges: 2,404
Single source
1015% of Jewish workers face antisemitism at work
Verified
11National origin suits: 20 in FY 2023
Single source
12FY 2019 religion charges: 2,725
Verified
1335% retaliation after filing internal complaints
Directional
14FY 2018 national origin charges: 6,758
Verified
15Sikh turban accommodations denied in 20% cases
Verified
16Genetic info charges: 220 in FY 2023
Verified
17FY 2017 religion charges: 3,027
Directional
1828% of whistleblowers face retaliation
Verified
19FY 2016 national origin charges: 7,243
Verified
20Hindu workers report 40% higher bias
Verified
21EEOC total charges FY 2023: 81,055
Directional
22Retaliation most common basis for charges over 20 years
Verified

Other Discrimination Interpretation

The data reveals a workplace paradox where reporting discrimination is far more likely to invite retaliation than to resolve it, suggesting that in many cases, the system punishes the whistleblower more reliably than it addresses the original offense.

Racial Discrimination

1In FY 2023, race discrimination charges made up 32.6% of all EEOC charges
Verified
2Black workers face 2.5 times higher unemployment rate than white workers as of 2023
Verified
336% of Black employees report experiencing discrimination at work
Single source
4In 2022, EEOC resolved 22,064 race charges with $128.5 million in benefits
Verified
5Hispanic workers have a 50% higher layoff rate during recessions
Verified
645% of Asian American workers report workplace discrimination
Directional
7EEOC FY 2021 race charges: 23,896 total
Verified
8Native American unemployment rate is 2x national average
Verified
928% of Black women report race-based promotion denials
Single source
10Audit studies show resumes with Black names get 50% fewer callbacks
Verified
11FY 2020 race charges: 24,432
Single source
12Color discrimination charges: 3.2% of total in FY 2022
Single source
1341% of Latinos report discrimination in hiring
Single source
14EEOC race lawsuits filed: 105 in FY 2023
Verified
15Black men 2x more likely to be passed over for raises
Verified
16FY 2019 race charges: 26,124
Verified
1730% of multiracial workers face bias
Verified
18Resume studies: African American names 14% fewer callbacks
Directional
19FY 2018 race charges: 28,528
Verified
2052% of Black professionals report microaggressions
Verified
21Hispanic wage gap: 17% less than whites
Verified
22FY 2017 race charges: 34,364
Verified
23Asian workers 2x more likely to experience accent bias
Verified
24EEOC color charges FY 2023: 2,985
Verified
2525% of Black employees quit due to discrimination
Verified
26FY 2016 race charges: 32,548
Directional
27Native Hawaiian unemployment 10.1% vs 3.7% national
Directional
2840% of South Asian workers report bias
Verified
29EEOC race merits suits: 12 in FY 2022
Single source
30Black-white hiring gap persists at 36%
Single source

Racial Discrimination Interpretation

The sobering parade of statistics reveals that the American workplace remains a stage where racial equity is still waiting in the wings, performing a tragic comedy of 'equal opportunity' that too often ends with the same cast getting the callback.

How We Rate Confidence

Models

Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.

Single source
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.

AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree

Directional
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.

AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree

Verified
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.

AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree

Models

Cite This Report

This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.

APA
Rachel Svensson. (2026, February 13). Employment Discrimination Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/employment-discrimination-statistics
MLA
Rachel Svensson. "Employment Discrimination Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/employment-discrimination-statistics.
Chicago
Rachel Svensson. 2026. "Employment Discrimination Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/employment-discrimination-statistics.

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