GITNUXREPORT 2026

Global Disability Statistics

Rising disability rates worldwide require urgent global attention and inclusive action.

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Women aged 50+ have 50% higher disability risk than men.

Statistic 2

Children with disabilities are 3 times more likely to be out of school globally.

Statistic 3

Disability prevalence increases with age: 11% (15-64), 44% (65+).

Statistic 4

Globally, 119 million girls with disabilities face higher exclusion risks.

Statistic 5

Rural areas show 20% higher disability rates than urban globally.

Statistic 6

Indigenous populations have 1.5 times higher disability prevalence.

Statistic 7

Low-income households have 2x disability prevalence vs high-income.

Statistic 8

Migrants with disabilities number 44 million globally.

Statistic 9

LGBTQ+ individuals report 2.5x higher disability rates.

Statistic 10

In 2021, 20% of women vs 12% men had disabilities.

Statistic 11

Youth (15-24) disability prevalence is 12.5% globally.

Statistic 12

Elderly in Asia: 25% disability rate vs 15% global.

Statistic 13

Conflict zones: disability rates 4x higher in children.

Statistic 14

Single-parent households with disabilities: 30% prevalence.

Statistic 15

Ethnic minorities in Europe: 24% disability vs 16% majority.

Statistic 16

Global median age of disability onset is 45 years.

Statistic 17

40% of caregivers for disabled are family members under 25.

Statistic 18

Disability in pregnancy affects 40 million women annually.

Statistic 19

Unemployment among disabled youth is 50% higher.

Statistic 20

60% of disabled people live in households with 3+ members.

Statistic 21

Global fertility rate among disabled women is 20% lower.

Statistic 22

Life expectancy for disabled is 20 years less on average.

Statistic 23

1 in 4 disabled adults lives alone.

Statistic 24

Disability prevalence peaks at 75-79 age group: 50%.

Statistic 25

Intellectual disabilities more common in males (1.5:1 ratio).

Statistic 26

Mobility disabilities: 75% in over 80s.

Statistic 27

Global average household size for disabled: 4.2 persons.

Statistic 28

35% of disabled are primary household earners.

Statistic 29

Visual disabilities higher in females (55%).

Statistic 30

Hearing loss onset before 18: 34 million children.

Statistic 31

Musculoskeletal disabilities: 60% female.

Statistic 32

Mental disabilities: peak 25-34 age group.

Statistic 33

Physical disabilities: 40% acquired post-50.

Statistic 34

Globally, 80% of disabilities are physical/mobility related.

Statistic 35

Mental health disorders constitute 13% of total global disabilities.

Statistic 36

Sensory disabilities (vision/hearing) affect 5% of world population.

Statistic 37

Intellectual and developmental disabilities: 200 million cases.

Statistic 38

Musculoskeletal conditions cause 21% of years lived with disability.

Statistic 39

Neurological disorders account for 11% of global disabilities.

Statistic 40

Low vision/blindness: 258 million severe/moderate cases.

Statistic 41

Hearing loss: 466 million need rehabilitation.

Statistic 42

Autism: 52 million globally, mostly children.

Statistic 43

Down syndrome: 1 in 700-1000 births worldwide.

Statistic 44

Cerebral palsy: 17 million globally.

Statistic 45

Multiple sclerosis: 2.8 million cases.

Statistic 46

Amputations: 185,000 major lower limb per year in US alone, global est. 2M.

Statistic 47

Spinal cord injuries: 250,000-500,000 new cases yearly.

Statistic 48

Depression as disability: 280 million affected.

Statistic 49

Schizophrenia: 24 million globally.

Statistic 50

Dementia: 55 million, Alzheimer's 60% of cases.

Statistic 51

Osteoarthritis: 595 million people.

Statistic 52

Rheumatoid arthritis: 18 million.

Statistic 53

Parkinson's: 10 million worldwide.

Statistic 54

Epilepsy: 50 million, 80% in LMICs.

Statistic 55

Intellectual disability: 1-3% prevalence.

Statistic 56

Communication disorders: 11% of children.

Statistic 57

Approximately 1.3 billion people, about 16% of the global population, live with a significant disability, with this number expected to rise to 16.4% by 2030 due to aging populations and chronic diseases.

Statistic 58

In 2021, the global age-standardized prevalence of disability was 13.5%, affecting 1.07 billion people aged 15 years and older.

Statistic 59

Low- and middle-income countries account for 80% of the 1.3 billion people worldwide living with disabilities.

Statistic 60

The Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 estimated 2.4 billion people living with some form of disability, including mild cases.

Statistic 61

By 2050, the number of people aged 60 years and older with disabilities is projected to reach 2 billion, doubling from 2020 levels.

Statistic 62

In 2018, 15% of the world's population, or 1.04 billion people, had a disability, according to UN estimates.

Statistic 63

Disability prevalence globally increased from 12.3% in 1990 to 14.5% in 2021 among adults.

Statistic 64

Over 1 billion people worldwide require assistive products like wheelchairs or hearing aids due to disability.

Statistic 65

In low-income countries, disability prevalence is estimated at 18%, higher than the global average of 15%.

Statistic 66

The COVID-19 pandemic increased disability prevalence by 14% globally due to long COVID effects.

Statistic 67

Globally, 240 million children under 15 have disabilities, representing 11% of that age group.

Statistic 68

Disability affects 26% of adults over 65 worldwide.

Statistic 69

In 2023, WHO reported 1.5 billion people with disabilities when including moderate impairments.

Statistic 70

Global disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to disability reached 2.5 billion in 2019.

Statistic 71

80% of people with disabilities live in developing countries, per 2022 UN data.

Statistic 72

Disability prevalence among women is 19% higher than among men globally.

Statistic 73

By 2030, 1 in 6 people worldwide will have a disability.

Statistic 74

In Sub-Saharan Africa, disability prevalence is 15.2% compared to global 13.6%.

Statistic 75

Global years lived with disability (YLDs) increased by 62% from 1990 to 2021.

Statistic 76

1.71 billion adults have hearing loss, a key disability indicator.

Statistic 77

Disability rates in high-income countries average 17.5%.

Statistic 78

Post-stroke disability affects 90 million people globally.

Statistic 79

Mental health disabilities impact 970 million people worldwide in 2019.

Statistic 80

Visual impairment affects 2.2 billion people, 1 billion unnecessarily.

Statistic 81

Global epilepsy prevalence is 50 million cases, mostly disabling.

Statistic 82

75 million people need wheelchairs globally.

Statistic 83

Dementia causes disability in 55 million elderly globally.

Statistic 84

Musculoskeletal disabilities affect 1.71 billion people.

Statistic 85

Global prevalence of intellectual disabilities is 1-3%.

Statistic 86

Autism spectrum disorders affect 1 in 100 children globally.

Statistic 87

CRPD ratification by 182 countries, but implementation gaps in 70%.

Statistic 88

Only 28% of countries have disability-specific employment quotas.

Statistic 89

Global assistive tech gap: 90% unmet need in LMICs.

Statistic 90

Universal design adoption in public buildings: 40% globally.

Statistic 91

Disability-inclusive education laws in 85% countries, but practice 50%.

Statistic 92

Health access: 50% of disabled report discrimination.

Statistic 93

Social protection coverage for disabled: 35% globally.

Statistic 94

Sign language recognition in 83 countries.

Statistic 95

Braille literacy: only 10% of blind children access.

Statistic 96

Telehealth for disabled: coverage increased 20% post-COVID.

Statistic 97

Disability data collection in national censuses: 65% countries.

Statistic 98

Inclusive budgeting: 20% of countries allocate >1% GDP.

Statistic 99

Emergency response inclusion: 15% improvement since Sendai Framework.

Statistic 100

Vocational rehab programs reach 25% of working-age disabled.

Statistic 101

Accessible transport: 30% of global cities compliant.

Statistic 102

Mental health services for disabled: 1 in 10 access.

Statistic 103

Legal capacity reforms: 40 countries post-CRPD.

Statistic 104

Disability pensions cover 27% of eligible globally.

Statistic 105

ICT accessibility standards in 60% countries.

Statistic 106

Community-based rehab (CBR) in 90 LMICs.

Statistic 107

Disabled people have 50-70% higher poverty rates globally.

Statistic 108

Employment rate for disabled adults: 50% lower than non-disabled.

Statistic 109

Annual global GDP loss from disability exclusion: $1.9 trillion.

Statistic 110

Disabled workers earn 20-30% less on average worldwide.

Statistic 111

90% of disabled children denied education in LMICs.

Statistic 112

Healthcare costs for disabled 5x higher per person.

Statistic 113

Disability increases poverty risk by 3x in developing countries.

Statistic 114

Global welfare loss from disability: 7% of GDP.

Statistic 115

Unemployment among disabled youth: 80% in some regions.

Statistic 116

Disabled women face 2x employment barriers.

Statistic 117

Exclusion from social protection: 50% of disabled households.

Statistic 118

Productivity loss from untreated disabilities: $2 trillion/year.

Statistic 119

Disabled entrepreneurs: 10% lower business survival rates.

Statistic 120

Higher food insecurity: 40% among disabled households.

Statistic 121

Disability correlates with 25% higher homelessness risk.

Statistic 122

Global remittances to disabled families: $100B shortfall.

Statistic 123

Education gap costs $1-7 trillion in lifetime earnings.

Statistic 124

Disabled in informal sector: 70% worldwide.

Statistic 125

Suicide rates 3-4x higher among disabled.

Statistic 126

Violence victimization: 4x higher for disabled women.

Statistic 127

Transport exclusion costs disabled $1T in lost opportunities.

Statistic 128

80% of disabled lack access to formal jobs.

Statistic 129

Housing affordability crisis: 60% of disabled renters.

Statistic 130

Digital divide: 50% of disabled offline globally.

1/130

Sources

Trusted by 500+ publications

+497

With a staggering 1.3 billion people—a number expected to swell significantly in the coming decades—living with a significant disability, our world is facing a profound and growing human reality that demands our immediate attention and collective action.

Key Takeaways

Approximately 1.3 billion people, about 16% of the global population, live with a significant disability, with this number expected to rise to 16.4% by 2030 due to aging populations and chronic diseases.
In 2021, the global age-standardized prevalence of disability was 13.5%, affecting 1.07 billion people aged 15 years and older.
Low- and middle-income countries account for 80% of the 1.3 billion people worldwide living with disabilities.
Women aged 50+ have 50% higher disability risk than men.
Children with disabilities are 3 times more likely to be out of school globally.
Disability prevalence increases with age: 11% (15-64), 44% (65+).
Globally, 80% of disabilities are physical/mobility related.
Mental health disorders constitute 13% of total global disabilities.
Sensory disabilities (vision/hearing) affect 5% of world population.
Disabled people have 50-70% higher poverty rates globally.
Employment rate for disabled adults: 50% lower than non-disabled.
Annual global GDP loss from disability exclusion: $1.9 trillion.
CRPD ratification by 182 countries, but implementation gaps in 70%.
Only 28% of countries have disability-specific employment quotas.
Global assistive tech gap: 90% unmet need in LMICs.

Rising disability rates worldwide require urgent global attention and inclusive action.

Demographic Trends

Women aged 50+ have 50% higher disability risk than men.
Children with disabilities are 3 times more likely to be out of school globally.
Disability prevalence increases with age: 11% (15-64), 44% (65+).
Globally, 119 million girls with disabilities face higher exclusion risks.
Rural areas show 20% higher disability rates than urban globally.
Indigenous populations have 1.5 times higher disability prevalence.
Low-income households have 2x disability prevalence vs high-income.
Migrants with disabilities number 44 million globally.
LGBTQ+ individuals report 2.5x higher disability rates.
In 2021, 20% of women vs 12% men had disabilities.
Youth (15-24) disability prevalence is 12.5% globally.
Elderly in Asia: 25% disability rate vs 15% global.
Conflict zones: disability rates 4x higher in children.
Single-parent households with disabilities: 30% prevalence.
Ethnic minorities in Europe: 24% disability vs 16% majority.
Global median age of disability onset is 45 years.
40% of caregivers for disabled are family members under 25.
Disability in pregnancy affects 40 million women annually.
Unemployment among disabled youth is 50% higher.
60% of disabled people live in households with 3+ members.
Global fertility rate among disabled women is 20% lower.
Life expectancy for disabled is 20 years less on average.
1 in 4 disabled adults lives alone.
Disability prevalence peaks at 75-79 age group: 50%.
Intellectual disabilities more common in males (1.5:1 ratio).
Mobility disabilities: 75% in over 80s.
Global average household size for disabled: 4.2 persons.
35% of disabled are primary household earners.
Visual disabilities higher in females (55%).
Hearing loss onset before 18: 34 million children.
Musculoskeletal disabilities: 60% female.
Mental disabilities: peak 25-34 age group.
Physical disabilities: 40% acquired post-50.

Demographic Trends Interpretation

A cascade of sobering statistics reveals disability as an amplifier of every existing inequality—from gender and poverty to geography and conflict—proving that vulnerability is never distributed fairly, only compounded.

Disability Types

Globally, 80% of disabilities are physical/mobility related.
Mental health disorders constitute 13% of total global disabilities.
Sensory disabilities (vision/hearing) affect 5% of world population.
Intellectual and developmental disabilities: 200 million cases.
Musculoskeletal conditions cause 21% of years lived with disability.
Neurological disorders account for 11% of global disabilities.
Low vision/blindness: 258 million severe/moderate cases.
Hearing loss: 466 million need rehabilitation.
Autism: 52 million globally, mostly children.
Down syndrome: 1 in 700-1000 births worldwide.
Cerebral palsy: 17 million globally.
Multiple sclerosis: 2.8 million cases.
Amputations: 185,000 major lower limb per year in US alone, global est. 2M.
Spinal cord injuries: 250,000-500,000 new cases yearly.
Depression as disability: 280 million affected.
Schizophrenia: 24 million globally.
Dementia: 55 million, Alzheimer's 60% of cases.
Osteoarthritis: 595 million people.
Rheumatoid arthritis: 18 million.
Parkinson's: 10 million worldwide.
Epilepsy: 50 million, 80% in LMICs.
Intellectual disability: 1-3% prevalence.
Communication disorders: 11% of children.

Disability Types Interpretation

While our collective spirit is boundless, these statistics soberly remind us that humanity's most common architectural flaw—the physical world itself—places the greatest burden on the body, yet the most profound revolutions in care must address the mind, senses, and the very ways we connect.

Global Prevalence

Approximately 1.3 billion people, about 16% of the global population, live with a significant disability, with this number expected to rise to 16.4% by 2030 due to aging populations and chronic diseases.
In 2021, the global age-standardized prevalence of disability was 13.5%, affecting 1.07 billion people aged 15 years and older.
Low- and middle-income countries account for 80% of the 1.3 billion people worldwide living with disabilities.
The Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 estimated 2.4 billion people living with some form of disability, including mild cases.
By 2050, the number of people aged 60 years and older with disabilities is projected to reach 2 billion, doubling from 2020 levels.
In 2018, 15% of the world's population, or 1.04 billion people, had a disability, according to UN estimates.
Disability prevalence globally increased from 12.3% in 1990 to 14.5% in 2021 among adults.
Over 1 billion people worldwide require assistive products like wheelchairs or hearing aids due to disability.
In low-income countries, disability prevalence is estimated at 18%, higher than the global average of 15%.
The COVID-19 pandemic increased disability prevalence by 14% globally due to long COVID effects.
Globally, 240 million children under 15 have disabilities, representing 11% of that age group.
Disability affects 26% of adults over 65 worldwide.
In 2023, WHO reported 1.5 billion people with disabilities when including moderate impairments.
Global disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to disability reached 2.5 billion in 2019.
80% of people with disabilities live in developing countries, per 2022 UN data.
Disability prevalence among women is 19% higher than among men globally.
By 2030, 1 in 6 people worldwide will have a disability.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, disability prevalence is 15.2% compared to global 13.6%.
Global years lived with disability (YLDs) increased by 62% from 1990 to 2021.
1.71 billion adults have hearing loss, a key disability indicator.
Disability rates in high-income countries average 17.5%.
Post-stroke disability affects 90 million people globally.
Mental health disabilities impact 970 million people worldwide in 2019.
Visual impairment affects 2.2 billion people, 1 billion unnecessarily.
Global epilepsy prevalence is 50 million cases, mostly disabling.
75 million people need wheelchairs globally.
Dementia causes disability in 55 million elderly globally.
Musculoskeletal disabilities affect 1.71 billion people.
Global prevalence of intellectual disabilities is 1-3%.
Autism spectrum disorders affect 1 in 100 children globally.

Global Prevalence Interpretation

While disability statistics may be a growing and sobering reality for humanity, they are not a problem to be solved, but a call for our shared world to finally, and truly, grow up.

Policy and Access

CRPD ratification by 182 countries, but implementation gaps in 70%.
Only 28% of countries have disability-specific employment quotas.
Global assistive tech gap: 90% unmet need in LMICs.
Universal design adoption in public buildings: 40% globally.
Disability-inclusive education laws in 85% countries, but practice 50%.
Health access: 50% of disabled report discrimination.
Social protection coverage for disabled: 35% globally.
Sign language recognition in 83 countries.
Braille literacy: only 10% of blind children access.
Telehealth for disabled: coverage increased 20% post-COVID.
Disability data collection in national censuses: 65% countries.
Inclusive budgeting: 20% of countries allocate >1% GDP.
Emergency response inclusion: 15% improvement since Sendai Framework.
Vocational rehab programs reach 25% of working-age disabled.
Accessible transport: 30% of global cities compliant.
Mental health services for disabled: 1 in 10 access.
Legal capacity reforms: 40 countries post-CRPD.
Disability pensions cover 27% of eligible globally.
ICT accessibility standards in 60% countries.
Community-based rehab (CBR) in 90 LMICs.

Policy and Access Interpretation

The world has enthusiastically stamped "approved" on the rights of persons with disabilities, yet its follow-through is a frustratingly half-built ramp leading to a still-locked door.

Socioeconomic Impacts

Disabled people have 50-70% higher poverty rates globally.
Employment rate for disabled adults: 50% lower than non-disabled.
Annual global GDP loss from disability exclusion: $1.9 trillion.
Disabled workers earn 20-30% less on average worldwide.
90% of disabled children denied education in LMICs.
Healthcare costs for disabled 5x higher per person.
Disability increases poverty risk by 3x in developing countries.
Global welfare loss from disability: 7% of GDP.
Unemployment among disabled youth: 80% in some regions.
Disabled women face 2x employment barriers.
Exclusion from social protection: 50% of disabled households.
Productivity loss from untreated disabilities: $2 trillion/year.
Disabled entrepreneurs: 10% lower business survival rates.
Higher food insecurity: 40% among disabled households.
Disability correlates with 25% higher homelessness risk.
Global remittances to disabled families: $100B shortfall.
Education gap costs $1-7 trillion in lifetime earnings.
Disabled in informal sector: 70% worldwide.
Suicide rates 3-4x higher among disabled.
Violence victimization: 4x higher for disabled women.
Transport exclusion costs disabled $1T in lost opportunities.
80% of disabled lack access to formal jobs.
Housing affordability crisis: 60% of disabled renters.
Digital divide: 50% of disabled offline globally.

Socioeconomic Impacts Interpretation

The staggering global statistics on disability paint a grim portrait not of individual limitation, but of a world that systematically builds barriers instead of ramps, costing us all trillions while denying half of humanity their basic dignity and potential.

Sources & References

Logos provided by Logo.dev