It has been estimated by the UN that approximately two-thirds of the world's disabled people live in developing countries. In some developing countries, nearly 20 percent of the general population is in some way disabled. As a result, it has even been proposed that the incidence of disability could serve as a good proxy indicator for poverty and development. If disability is a good proxy indicator for poverty, we would need to have a clearer understanding of the links between poverty and disability. Poverty creates conditions for disability.
Poor people are more likely to have poor health as well as poor living and working conditions.
They live in lower quality housing and work in more dangerous occupations. They suffer from malnutrition and hunger, and they also lack adequate health services including maternity and trauma services. Social unrest and communal violence, even civil wars are also more prevalent in poor countries. Violent crime is also more common in poor communities. Analysis of case studies in some developing countries have indicated that higher disability rates are associated with higher illiteracy, poor nutritional status, lower inoculation and immunization coverage, lower birth weight of babies, higher unemployment and underemployment rates, and lower occupational mobility.