Profile of Disabled People in Scotland

In Scotland’s Census 2022, 1.3 million people stated they had a long-term health problem or disability that limited their day-to-day activities. This is almost a quarter (24%) of Scotland’s people.

Disability is more common among older people. In 2022-24, the average (median) age of people whose condition reduced their ability to carry out day-to-day tasks a lot was 61. The average for those whose activities were reduced a little was 57. [Table 1, Figure 1: Median age, by whether adult is disabled and whether their condition limits their ability to carry out day-to-day tasks, 2022 - 2024 (combined)

Over a quarter (28%) of disabled people were in work. The percentage in work of those whose disability limited their activities a lot was 16%. 40% of disabled people were retired. [Table 2]