Measuring the Disability Employment Gap

How researchers measure the gap in employment between disabled and non-disabled people, why it exists, and how it varies across countries.

In almost every country, people with disabilities are less likely to be employed than people without disabilities. The difference in employment rates is called the disability employment gap.

Measuring the gap

The gap is usually measured as the difference in the share of working-age people who are employed. For example, if 80 percent of non-disabled adults and 50 percent of disabled adults are employed, the gap is 30 percentage points.

Measurement is difficult because:

Definitions differ: surveys ask different questions about disability.
Severity varies: people with mild impairments may face small gaps, while people with severe disabilities face large ones.
Data is limited in many developing countries.

What the data shows

The UK government has tracked the gap closely; it has been close to 30 percentage points in recent years, having narrowed somewhat. In the United States, disabled people’s employment rates reached record highs after 2020 but remain far below those of non-disabled people. UN reports have found similar or larger gaps in many countries. In India, census and survey data show low employment rates among disabled people, especially disabled women.

Why the gap exists

Physical and digital barriers at workplaces.
Employer attitudes and assumptions about ability.
Education gaps: disabled people are less likely to have completed higher education.
Health conditions that limit work.
Benefit rules that may discourage work if earnings reduce support.
Transport barriers.

Why averages hide differences

A country reports a disability employment rate of 50 percent. But among blind people with university degrees and accessible technology, the rate might be much higher, while among those without education or assistive tools, it might be very low. Averages hide the powerful effects of education, technology and accommodations.

Closing the gap

Evidence points to accessible education, assistive technology, workplace adjustments, supported employment, anti-discrimination enforcement and benefit systems that make work pay.

Thinking the gap reflects what disabled people can do

Much of the gap reflects barriers, not ability. When barriers are removed, through accessible technology, education and inclusive hiring, employment rates rise.

Key takeaways

The disability employment gap is the difference in employment rates between disabled and non-disabled people.
In the UK it has been close to 30 percentage points.
Barriers, attitudes, education gaps and benefit rules contribute.
Accessibility, education and supported employment help narrow it.