European comparative data on persons with disabilities : equal opportunities, fair working conditions, social protection and inclusion, analysis and trends : data 2023.
Date: 2025-11-05
Institutions: European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation
Subjects: comparative analysis, equal treatment, integration of people with disabilities, report, social security, worker with disabilities, working conditions

European comparative data on 
persons with disabilities 

Equal opportunities, fair working conditions,  
social protection and inclusion  
Analysis and trends 

Data 2023 

Stefanos Grammenos 

State of affairs June 2025 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EUROPEAN COMMISSION 
Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers 
Directorate D — Equality and Non-Discrimination 
Unit D4 — Disability 

European Commission 
B-1049 Brussels 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EUROPEAN COMMISSION 

European comparative data 
on persons with disabilities 

Equal opportunities, fair working conditions,  
social protection and inclusion  
Analysis and trends 

Data 2023 

Stefanos Grammenos 

Centre for European Social and Economic Policy 

This report has been developed under Contract VC/2024/0034 with the 
European Commission. 

Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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ISBN 978-92-68-32200-0  

doi:10.2838/1081556  

DS-01-25-157-EN-N

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table of contents 

Introduction ..................................................................................................... 13 
Part I: Population of persons with disabilities .................................................. 16 
Number of persons with disabilities ......................................................... 16 
1 
1.1  Relevance to EU policy / strategy ............................................................16 
1.2  Assessment and analysis of main results and their evolution ......................16 
The definition of persons with disabilities .........................................16 
1.2.1 
Prevalence of disability by Member State .........................................18 
1.2.2 
Prevalence of disability among children ............................................19 
1.2.3 
1.2.4 
Persons with disabilities in institutions .............................................20 
1.2.5  Disability prevalence by gender ......................................................20 
1.2.6  Degree of disability .......................................................................21 
Population of persons with disabilities by age group ..........................22 
1.2.7 
Population of persons with disabilities by age group and degree .........22 
1.2.8 
Evolution of disability prevalence ....................................................25 
1.2.9 
1.3  Beneficiaries of disability benefits ...........................................................26 
1.4  Nature of disabilities .............................................................................27 
1.5  Statistical tables ...................................................................................30 
Part II: Equal opportunities .............................................................................. 38 
Adult participation in learning .................................................................. 38 
2 
2.1  Relevance to EU policy / strategy ............................................................38 
2.2  Assessment and analysis of main results and their evolution ......................39 
2.2.1  Definitions ...................................................................................39 
2.2.2 
Analysis by Member State ..............................................................40 
2.2.3  Disability gap in adult participation in learning ..................................40 
Adult participation in learning by gender ..........................................41 
2.2.4 
Adult participation in learning by degree of disability .........................42 
2.2.5 
Evolution of adult participation in learning by Member State ...............42 
2.2.6 
2.3  Statistical tables ...................................................................................43 
Early leavers from education and training ................................................ 46 
3.1  Relevance to EU policy / strategy ............................................................46 
3.2  Assessment and analysis of main results and their evolution ......................47 
3.2.1  Definitions ...................................................................................47 
3.2.2  General comments ........................................................................47 
3.2.3  Disability gap in early school leaving ...............................................49 
Early school leavers by gender .......................................................49 
3.2.4 
Early school leavers by degree .......................................................50 
3.2.5 
Evolution by Member State ............................................................50 
3.2.6 
Evolution at the EU level ................................................................51 
3.2.7 
Policy issues .................................................................................52 
3.2.8 
3.3  Statistical tables ...................................................................................53 
Young people neither in employment nor in education and training (NEET)
 ................................................................................................................. 57 
4.1  Relevance to EU policy / strategy ............................................................57 
4.2  Assessment and analysis of main results and their evolution ......................57 
4.2.1  General comments ........................................................................57 
4.2.2  Disability gap in NEET rates ...........................................................58 
4.2.3  NEET by gender ............................................................................59 
4.2.4  NEET by degree of disability ...........................................................59 
Evolution by Member State ............................................................59 
4.2.5 
Evolution at the EU level ................................................................60 
4.2.6 
4.3  Statistical tables ...................................................................................61 
Tertiary education .................................................................................... 64 
5.1  Relevance to EU policy / strategy ............................................................64 
5.2  Assessment and analysis of main results and their evolution ......................65 
5.2.1  General comments ........................................................................65 
5.2.2  Disability gap in tertiary education ..................................................66 
Tertiary education by gender ..........................................................66 
5.2.3 

5 

3 

4 

5 

 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

6 

5.2.4 
5.2.5 

Evolution by Member State ............................................................67 
Evolution at the EU level ................................................................67 
5.3  European Education Area indicator ..........................................................68 
5.3.1  General comments by Member State ...............................................68 
5.3.2  Disability gap ...............................................................................69 
Evolution at the EU level ................................................................70 
5.3.3 
5.4  Statistical tables ...................................................................................71 
Disability pay gap ..................................................................................... 79 
6.1  Relevance to EU policy / strategy ............................................................79 
6.2  Assessment and analysis of main results and their evolution ......................79 
6.2.1 
Interpreting the EU-SILC data and the SES survey ............................79 
6.2.2  General comments ........................................................................81 
6.2.3  Disability pay gap by Member State ................................................82 
6.2.4  Disability pay gap by economic sector .............................................83 
6.2.5  Disability pay gap by gender ..........................................................83 
6.2.6  Disability pay gap by degree of disability .........................................84 
Evolution of disability pay gap ........................................................84 
6.2.7 
Factors affecting disability pay gap ..................................................84 
6.2.8 
6.3  Statistical tables ...................................................................................86 
Part III: Fair working conditions ...................................................................... 93 
Employment rate ...................................................................................... 93 
7 
7.1  Relevance to EU policy / strategy ............................................................93 
7.2  Assessment and analysis of main results and their evolution ......................93 
7.2.1  Methodological issues ....................................................................93 
7.2.2  General comments ........................................................................94 
Employment by gender ..................................................................95 
7.2.3 
Employment by degree ..................................................................96 
7.2.4 
Evolution of employment in the Member States ................................97 
7.2.5 
Evolution of employment at the EU level ..........................................98 
7.2.6 
7.3  Employment trends by disability degree ..................................................98 
7.4  Number of hours worked per week by disability degree .............................99 
7.5 
Job satisfaction ................................................................................... 101 
7.6  Statistical tables ................................................................................. 102 
Unemployment rate ................................................................................ 108 
8.1  Relevance to EU policy / strategy .......................................................... 108 
8.2  Assessment and analysis of main results and their evolution .................... 108 
8.2.1  Definitions of unemployment ........................................................ 108 
8.2.2  General comments ...................................................................... 108 
8.2.3  Unemployment disability gap ........................................................ 110 
8.2.4  Unemployment rate by gender ..................................................... 110 
8.2.5  Unemployment rate by age group ................................................. 111 
8.2.6  Unemployment rate by degree ..................................................... 112 
Evolution at national level ............................................................ 112 
8.2.7 
Evolution at the EU level .............................................................. 113 
8.2.8 
8.3  Youth unemployment rate .................................................................... 114 
Introduction ............................................................................... 114 
Youth unemployment rate ............................................................ 114 
8.4  Long-term unemployment .................................................................... 115 
Introduction ............................................................................... 115 
8.4.1 
8.4.2 
Long-term unemployment rate by Member State ............................ 116 
8.4.3  Disability long-term unemployment gap ......................................... 116 
Long-term unemployment rate by gender ...................................... 117 
8.4.4 
Long-term unemployment rate by degree of disability ..................... 117 
8.4.5 
Evolution at the EU level .............................................................. 118 
8.4.1 
8.5  Statistical tables ................................................................................. 119 
Activity rate ............................................................................................ 133 
9.1  Relevance to EU policy / strategy .......................................................... 133 
9.2  Assessment and analysis of main results and their evolution .................... 133 
9.2.1  General comments ...................................................................... 133 

8.3.1 
8.3.2 

8 

9 

6 

 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

9.2.2  Disability activity gap .................................................................. 134 
Activity rate by gender ................................................................ 135 
9.2.3 
Activity rate by age ..................................................................... 135 
9.2.4 
Activity rate by degree ................................................................ 136 
9.2.5 
Evolution at national level ............................................................ 136 
9.2.6 
Evolution at the EU level .............................................................. 137 
9.2.7 
9.3  Statistical tables ................................................................................. 138 
Part IV: Social inclusion ................................................................................. 144 
10  Disability employment gap ..................................................................... 144 
10.1  Relevance to EU policy / strategy .......................................................... 144 
10.2  Assessment and analysis of main results and their evolution .................... 144 
10.2.1  General comments ...................................................................... 144 
10.2.2  Disability employment gap by gender ............................................ 145 
10.2.3  Disability employment gap by degree ............................................ 146 
10.2.4  Evolution of disability employment gap at national level .................. 146 
10.2.5  Evolution of the disability employment gap at the EU level ............... 147 
10.3  Statistical tables ................................................................................. 148 
Part V: Social protection (overarching indicators) .......................................... 153 
11  People at risk of poverty or social exclusion ........................................... 153 
11.1  Relevance to EU policy / strategy .......................................................... 153 
11.2  People living in households with very low work intensity .......................... 154 
11.2.1  Definition of very low work intensity .............................................. 154 
11.2.2  Analysis by Member State ............................................................ 154 
11.2.3  Disability gap in very low work intensity ........................................ 155 
11.2.4  Evolution at national level ............................................................ 156 
11.2.5  Statistical tables ......................................................................... 156 
11.3  People at risk of poverty after social transfers ........................................ 158 
11.3.1  Definition of poverty .................................................................... 158 
11.3.2  Analysis by Member State ............................................................ 158 
11.3.3  Disability poverty gap .................................................................. 159 
11.3.4  Evolution at national level ............................................................ 160 
11.3.5  Statistical tables ......................................................................... 161 
11.4  Persons who are severely materially and socially deprived ....................... 165 
11.4.1  Definition of severe material and social deprivation ......................... 165 
11.4.2  Analysis by Member State ............................................................ 165 
11.4.3  Disability gap in severe material and social deprivation .................... 166 
11.4.4  Evolution at national level ............................................................ 167 
11.4.5  Ability to keep home warm........................................................... 168 
11.4.6  Statistical annex ......................................................................... 170 
11.5  People at risk of poverty or social exclusion ........................................... 173 
11.5.1  Definition of risk of poverty or social exclusion ............................... 173 
11.5.2  Analysis by Member State ............................................................ 174 
11.5.3  Disability gap in AROPE ............................................................... 174 
11.5.4  Persons at risk of poverty or social exclusion, by gender .................. 175 
11.5.5  Persons at risk of poverty or social exclusion by age group .............. 176 
11.5.6  Children at risk of poverty or social exclusion ................................. 180 
11.5.7  Persons at risk of poverty or social exclusion by degree of disability .. 181 
11.5.8  Evolution in the Member States .................................................... 181 
11.5.9  Number of persons at risk of poverty or social exclusion .................. 182 
11.5.10  Analysis of risk of poverty or social exclusion by type of component .. 183 
11.6  Analysis of trends of AROPE at the EU level ............................................ 186 
11.6.1  Evolution at the EU level .............................................................. 186 
11.6.2  Evolution at EU level by poverty component ................................... 187 
11.6.3  Evolution at the EU level by age group .......................................... 188 
11.6.4  Evolution at the EU level by degree of disability .............................. 189 
11.7  Statistical tables ................................................................................. 192 
12  Persons at risk of poverty before and after social transfers ................... 199 
12.1  Definitions ......................................................................................... 199 
12.2  Poverty alleviation of social transfers..................................................... 199 

7 

 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

12.3  Poverty alleviation of social transfers by Member State ............................ 200 
12.4  Poverty alleviation of social transfers by gender ..................................... 204 
12.5  Poverty alleviation of social transfers by Member State and degree ........... 204 
12.6  Annual change of poverty alleviation by Member State ............................ 208 
12.7  Evolution of poverty alleviation at EU level ............................................. 209 
12.8  Statistical tables ................................................................................. 210 
13  Long-term care needs ............................................................................. 215 
13.1  Relevance to EU policy / strategy .......................................................... 215 
13.2  Persons with self-care difficulties .......................................................... 215 
13.2.1  Analysis by Member State ............................................................ 216 
13.3  Long-term care expenditure ................................................................. 217 
13.4  Statistical tables ................................................................................. 218 
14  Life satisfaction ...................................................................................... 221 
14.1  Definitions ......................................................................................... 221 
14.2  Analysis at the EU level ....................................................................... 221 
14.3  Analysis by Member State .................................................................... 223 
14.4  Analysis by degree of disability ............................................................. 224 
14.5  Statistical annex ................................................................................. 224 
Annex I: Metadata .......................................................................................... 226 
Prevalence of disability ........................................................................... 226 
1. 
Early school leavers ................................................................................ 230 
2. 
Young people neither in education nor in employment and training (NEET)
3. 
 ............................................................................................................... 230 
Persons who have completed a tertiary or equivalent education ............ 231 
4. 
5. 
Employment rate .................................................................................... 232 
6.  Unemployment rate ................................................................................ 233 
7.  Activity rate ............................................................................................ 234 
8.  Disability pay gap ................................................................................... 235 
9. 
Very low work intensity .......................................................................... 236 
10.  People at risk of poverty after social transfers (monetary poverty) ....... 237 
11.  Severely materially and socially deprived persons ................................. 238 
12.  People at risk of poverty or social exclusion (AROPE) ............................ 239 
13.  Methodological note on EU-SILC ............................................................. 240 
14.  Methodological note on LFS .................................................................... 243 
15.  Sources of data ....................................................................................... 243 
List of tables ................................................................................................... 245 
List of figures ................................................................................................. 248 
Classification of countries .............................................................................. 252 

8 

 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 1: Synopsis of main statistical indicators for the EU (2021 onwards) 
New definitions since 2021 

2021 

2022 

2023 

Persons with 
disabilities 

Disability prevalence (Age: 16+); in % 

25.2 

27.0 

26.8 

Adult participation in learning (last 12 months) (Age: 25-64), in % 

Persons with 
disabilities 
Persons without 
disabilities 

Persons with 
disabilities 
Persons without 
disabilities 

- 

- 

9.8 

13.3 

11.6 (2024) 

15.1 (2024) 

Early school leavers (Age: 18-24); in % 

16.4 

9.1 

19.2 

8.6 

19.1 

9.3 

Young people neither in employment nor in education and training (Age:16-29); in % 
Persons with 
disabilities 
Persons without 
disabilities 

27.8 

12.0 

12.3 

27.3 

13.2 

29.0 

Persons with 
disabilities 
Persons without 
disabilities 

Persons with tertiary education (Age: 30-34); in % 

34.3 

45.7 

35.7 

47.4 

37.0 

47.1 

Persons with tertiary education (Age: 25-34); in % (EU 2030 target: 45 %) 

Persons with 
disabilities 
Persons without 
disabilities 

33.0 

45.0 

35.7 

46.3 

36.0 

45.8 

Disability pay gap (Age: 15-74) as a % of the pay of persons without disability. 
Private companies employing 10+. 10-year age adjustment, 2019 structure. 

8.7 (2019) 

12.8 

Employment rate (Age: 20-64) (EU 2030 target: 78 % of population of same age); % 

Persons with 
disabilities 
Persons without 
disabilities 

50.9 

74.8 

54.3 

76.2 

54.6 

76.6 

Unemployment rate (Age: 20-64); as a % of persons in the labour force 

Persons with 
disabilities 
Persons without 
disabilities 

17.9 

9.1 

15.1 

7.6 

15.2 

7.2 

9 

 
  
  
   
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Youth unemployment rate (Age: 16-24); as a % of persons in the labour force 

2021 

2022 

2023 

Persons with 
disabilities 
Persons without 
disabilities 

33.8 

22.8 

33.2 

19.4 

28.0 

16.6 

Long-term unemployment (Age: 20-64); as a % of persons in the labour force 

Persons with 
disabilities 
Persons without 
disabilities 

8.5 

4.8 

7.3 

3.8 

6.9 

3.4 

Activity rate (Age: 20-64); as a % of population in the labour force 

Persons with 
disabilities 
Persons without 
disabilities 

62.0 

82.3 

64.0 

82.5 

64.4 

82.6 

Disability employment gap (current) (Age: 20-64) in percentage points 

Persons with 
disabilities 

Persons with 
disabilities 
Persons without 
disabilities 

23.1 

21.4 

21.5 

Very low work intensity (Age: 16-64); in % 

18.6 

6.6 

17.1 

5.7 

Persons at risk of poverty after social transfers (Age: 16+); in % 

Persons with 
disabilities 
Persons without 
disabilities 

Persons with 
disabilities 
Persons without 
disabilities 

Persons with 
disabilities 
Persons without 
disabilities 

21.1 

14.9 

20.5 

14.5 

Severely materially deprived persons (Age: 16+); in % 

10.9 

4.9 

10.4 

4.9 

Persons at risk of poverty or exclusion (Age: 16+); in % 

29.7 

18.8 

28.7 

18.3 

16.7 

5.7 

20.1 

14.1 

11.0 

4.9 

28.8 

18.0 

Persons at risk of poverty before and after social transfers (Age: 16-64), in % 

Persons with 
disabilities 
Before 
After 
Persons without 
disabilities 
Before 
After 

50.6 
22.7 

30.9 
15.1 

46.6 
21.2 

27.9 
14.5 

10 

45.2 
20.8 

26.8 
14.1 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

2021 

2022 

2023 

Persons with difficulties in self-care activities (Age: 16+), in % 

Persons with moderate 
diff. 
Persons with severe 
diff. 

- 

- 

4.7 

2.0 

- 

- 

Source of data: Eurostat and EU-SILC UDB. See the report for more information. 

Table 2: Synopsis of main statistical indicators for the EU (2021 and before)1 
New definitions in 2021. Data for 2021 are not comparable to previous years. 

  2012  2013  2014  20152 

2016  2017  2018  2019 

2020 

2021 

Dis. 

26.1 

26.9 

27.1 

25.3 

24.1 

24.4 

24.7 

24.1 

25.0 

25.2 

Disability prevalence (Age: 16+), in % 

  2012  2013  2014 

2015  2016²  2017  2018  2019 

2020 

Europe 2020 

Dis. 
Tot. 

Adult participation in learning (currently) (Age: 25-64), in % 
2.2 
3.5 

2021 
EU 
2030 

2.5 
3.4 

Dis. 
Tot. 

21.8 
11.2 

21.5 
10.7 

22.5 
12.2 

22.0 
12.5 

23.6 
12.0 

21.8 
10.7 

20.3 
10.6 

21.8 
10.6 

22.1 
11.2 

16.4 
9.7 

Early school leavers (Age: 18-24), % 

Young people neither in employment nor in education and training (Age:16-29), 

in % 

Dis. 
Tot. 

30.7 
16.1 

29.0 
14.5 

Dis. 
Tot. 

27.8 
38.1 

28.0 
39.3 

29.7 
41.2 

29.4 
41.6 

30.3 
42.2 

31.7 
40.8 

29.4 
42.3 

32.5 
42.5 

34.3 
44.4 

34.3 
44.5 

Persons with tertiary education (Age: 30-34), % 

Disability pay gap (Age: 15-74), age-adjusted; gap as a % of the pay of persons 
without disabilities 

7.4 

Employment rate (Age: 20-64) (Europe 2030 target: 78 % of population of same 
age), % 

Dis. 
Tot. 

47.9 
67.0 

48.5 
66.9 

48.7 
67.8 

47.4 
68.4 

48.1 
69.3 

50.2 
69.5 

50.8 
70.7 

51.3 
71.5 

49.7 
69.9 

50.9 
70.6 

Unemployment rate (Age: 20-64), as a % of persons in the labour force 

Dis. 
Tot. 

18.1 
12.2 

19.0 
12.9 

19.6 
12.6 

20.2 
12.1 

19.6 
11.4 

18.4 
11.1 

18.6 
10.1 

17.3 
9.5 

17.7 
10.1 

17.9 
10.3 

Youth unemployment rate (Age: 16-24), as a % of persons in the labour force 

Dis. 
Tot. 

Dis. 
Tot. 

Long-term unemployment (Age: 20-64), as a % of persons in the labour force 

(10.7) 
(5.9) 

8.5 
5.3 

29.6 
25.1 

33.8 
23.6 

Activity rate (Age: 20-64), as a % of population in the labour force 

Dis. 
Tot. 

58.5 
76.3 

59.8 
76.8 

60.6 
77.5 

59.5 
77.8 

59.7 
78.2 

61.5 
78.1 

62.4 
78.7 

62.0 
79.0 

60.4 
78.6 

62.0 
78.7 

11 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

  2012  2013  2014  20152 

2016  2017  2018  2019 

2020 

2021 

Disability employment gap (current) (Age: 20-64) in percentage points 

Dis. 

24.4 

23.9 

Very low work intensity (Age: 16-59); new definition for 2021, in % 

Dis. 
Tot. 

23.9 
10.8 

24.1 
11.2 

25.1 
11.0 

25.6 
11.1 

25.8 
11.0 

23.2 
10.1 

22.6 
9.5 

22.8 
8.9 

22.6 
9.2 

18.5 
8.6 

Persons at risk of poverty after social transfers (Age: 16+), in % 

Dis. 
Tot. 

19.1 
16.1 

18.7 
15.9 

19.7 
16.5 

20.0 
16.6 

20.2 
16.7 

20.1 
16.5 

20.9 
16.5 

21.1 
16.2 

21.0 
16.3 

21.1 
16.4 

Severely materially deprived persons (Age: 16+); new definition for 2021, in % 
12.8 
9.5 

10.8 
7.3 

12.6 
9.0 

12.1 
8.6 

11.3 
7.7 

10.4 
6.9 

8.9 
5.5 

9.0 
5.8 

8.6 
5.8 

10.9 
6.4 

Persons at risk of poverty or exclusion (Age: 16+); new definition for 2021, in % 
29.7 
21.5 

30.1 
23.1 

28.4 
20.8 

30.1 
23.8 

30.1 
23.8 

30.3 
24.1 

30.2 
23.2 

28.9 
22.4 

28.6 
21.3 

28.7 
21.3 

General health and unmet medical needs (Age: 16+) 
General health: Persons with good or very good health, in % 
22.3 
20.2 
66.5 
69.5 
Persons reporting unmet needs for medical examination, in % 
4.4 
1.8 

20.5 
68.5 

18.9 
67.5 

20.2 
67.2 

21.0 
68.9 

20.5 
68.6 

19.3 
66.8 

4.0 
1.7 

8.4 
3.9 

8.2 
3.8 

6.0 
2.7 

3.9 
1.6 

4.0 
1.7 

7.5 
3.2 

19.7 
67.3 

8.2 
3.7 

20.9 
69.1 

4.6 
2.0 

Dis. 
Tot 

Dis. 
Tot 

Dis 
Tot 

Dis 
Tot 

The data are not strictly comparable with 2014 data due to a change in the definition of ‘activity 

EU 28 until 2016, EU 27 for 2017 and later. ‘Health and unmet medical needs’ cover the EU 

1: 
27. 
2: 
limitations’. There was a change in definitions concerning education in 2014. 
Dis.: Persons with disabilities 
Tot.: Total 
Source of data: Eurostat and EU-SILC UDB. See the report for more information. 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Introduction 

The  European  Union  (EU)  is  strongly  committed  to  ensuring  equal  opportunities  and 
removing  economic  and  social  barriers  for  people  with  disabilities,  as  demonstrated  by, 
among other measures, the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of 
Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD)1 and the European Disability Strategy 2021–2030.2 

The  European  Commission  is  furthermore  bound  by  Article 10  of  the  Treaty  on  the 
Functioning of the European Union, and aims to mainstream disability issues into all policies 
and  actions  that  might  affect  the  lives  of  people  with  disabilities,  such  as  the  European 
Pillar of Social Rights. 

European  Disability  Expertise  (EDE)  provides  independent  scientific  support  to  the 
European  Commission.  It  aims  to  mainstream  disability  equality  in  EU  policy  processes, 
including implementation of the UN CRPD. 

This report presents independent data analysis about persons with disabilities conducted 
by EDE for the Commission. Strong quantitative indicators play a key role in advocating 
for change, but they require high-quality statistical data and related estimates. 

1.  Objectives of the study 

The Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030 notes that ‘monitoring 
the  progress  in  Member  States  will  rely  on  improved  statistical  data  collection  on  the 
situation of persons with disabilities’. 

The  Strategy  also  highlights  the  need  to  ‘develop  a  strategy  for  data  collection,  steer 
Member States accordingly and provide an analysis of existing data sources and indicators, 
including administrative data’. 

In the wider EU policy context, EU disability policies should support the implementation of 
the  European  Pillar  of  Social  Rights,3  notably  in  relation  to  equal  treatment  and  the 
inclusion in society of persons with disabilities.  

The Pillar is  supported  by a scoreboard of key indicators to screen the employment and 
social performances of participating Member States. The scoreboard serves as a reference 
framework  to  monitor  ‘societal  progress’.  Twelve  areas  have  been  selected,  with  a 
corresponding set of quantitative indicators. 

In March 2021, the Commission presented the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan.4 
The Action Plan presents three targets to be achieved by 2030: 1. At least 78 % of the 
population aged 20 to 64 should be in employment by 2030; 2. At least 60 % of all adults 
should  participate  in  training  every  year;  3.  The  number  of  people  at  risk  of  poverty  or 
social exclusion should be reduced by at least 15 million by 2030. 

It  is  important  to  assess  the  situation  of  persons  with  disabilities  in  relation  to  these 
quantitative indicators. The indicators ought to identify any gap between persons with and 

1   See https://social.desa.un.org/issues/disability/crpd/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities-

crpd. 

2   European Commission (2021), Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the 
Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – Union of 
Equality: Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030; European Commission. COM(2021) 
101 final. 

3   European Commission, Commission Staff Working Document – Social Scoreboard, accompanying the 

document Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European 
Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – Establishing a European Pillar of Social 
Rights, 26 April 2017, SWD (2017) 200 final. 

4   European Commission (2021), The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan, available at: 

https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/economy-works-people/jobs-growth-and-
investment/european-pillar-social-rights/european-pillar-social-rights-action-plan_en. 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

without disabilities and reveal any convergence or divergence in relation to the targets. An 
increasing gap or divergence ought to signal the need for new initiatives. In its capacity, 
EDE presents and analyses data to understand and illustrate the situation of persons with 
disabilities in Europe. 

This  report  complements  previous  annual  EDE  and  Academic  Network  of  European 
Disability  experts  (ANED)  reports.  At  the  end  of  each  chapter,  we  present  a  Statistical 
Annex  with  the  relevant  statistical  tables.  At  the  end  of  this  report,  we  describe  the 
methodological issues relating to the indicators discussed in this report. 

2. 

Presentation of the results 

The  European  Pillar  of  Social  Rights  Action  Plan  sets  out  the  EU’s  ambition  for  a  strong 
Social Europe that focuses on jobs, skills and social inclusion,  as expressed in three EU-
level social targets to be achieved by 2030:5 

- 
- 
- 

At least 78 % of people aged 20 to 64 should be in employment. 
At least 60 % of all adults should participate in training every year. 
The number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion should be reduced by at 
least 15 million, including at least 5 million children, compared to 2019. 

The Pillar is sustained by a scoreboard of key indicators to screen the employment levels 
and social performance of participating Member States. The revised scoreboard presents a 
set of indicators which complete the Europe 2030 indicators. 

Consequently, in this report, we begin with an estimation of persons with disabilities. We 
then select relevant Pillar indicators that are of special interest for persons with disabilities. 
For  each  selected  indicator,  associated  with  a  principle  of  the  European  Pillar  of  Social 
Rights  (EPSR),  we  compare  the  situation  of  persons  with  and  without  disabilities.  The 
presentation follows the structure of the Pillar principles : 

- 
- 
- 

equal opportunities; 
fair working conditions; and 
social protection and inclusion. 

We complete the report with indicators for long-term care needs. This is a field of particular 
interest for persons with disabilities. 

For  each  selected  indicator,  we  adopt  the  same  definition  as  in  the  EU  social  indicators 
adopted by the Social Protection Committee and its Indicators Sub-Group.6 

In this report, we present, for each of the selected indicators: 

- 
- 
- 
- 

its relevance to EU disability policy/strategy; 
methodological issues; 
main findings by Member State; and 
analysis of the evolution. 

This report presents an analysis of the latest available European Union Statistics on Income 
and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) microdata. The data cover 2023. A detailed description of 
the EU-SILC survey can be found in the Methodological Annex. The EU-SILC is an annual 
survey and enables us to present statistical indicators every year. Indeed, the question on 
disability, based on the Global Activity Limitation Indicator (GALI), is included every year. 

5   See 

https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=89&furtherNews=yes&newsId=10299#navItem-1, 
and https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/economy-works-
people/delivering-strong-social-europe_en.  

6   See https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=738&langId=en&pubId=8513&furtherPubs=yes. 

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

The European Labour Force Survey (LFS) provides quarterly and annual data and includes 
a question on disability every two years. The GALI question was included in the LFS survey 
for the first time in 2022. The next round took place in 2024. However, LFS 2024 microdata 
are not available for research at the time of elaborating this report. Consequently, for the 
analysis  of  2023,  we  will  use  the  EU-SILC  data.  The  previous  EDE  report  presented  a 
summary discussion of the LFS 2022 data on persons with disabilities.  

The  historical  statistical  series  should  be  treated  with  care.  Indeed,  the  Europe  2030 
Strategy replaced the Europe 2020 Strategy. Each strategy defined specific indicators for 
poverty and social exclusion. Although the general denomination or title is the same, the 
definition of the targets is not the same. Furthermore, the European surveys were revised 
in 2021, and the questions were no longer the same as in previous surveys. 

While figures enable readers to see a quick comparison across Member States, interested 
readers can find detailed statistical data in the tables at the end of each relevant chapter. 
The metadata and the sources used are presented at the end of this report. 

15 

 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Part I: Population of persons with disabilities 

1 

Number of persons with disabilities 

1.1  Relevance to EU policy / strategy 

Article 31  of  the  UN CRPD  on  ‘Statistics  and  data  collection’  states:  ‘1.  States  Parties 
undertake  to  collect  appropriate  information,  including  statistical  and  research  data,  to 
enable them to formulate and implement policies to give effect to the present Convention’. 

The  Council  of  the  European  Union,  in  its  conclusions  of  20 June  2017,  stressed  the 
commitment of the EU and its Member States to achieving the SDGs by 2030. The Council 
called on the Commission to carry out detailed regular monitoring of the SDGs at EU level, 
including,  where  relevant,  in  the  context  of  the  European  Semester,  and  to  develop  a 
reference  indicator  framework  for  this  purpose,  drawing  on  existing  indicators  and  data 
provided  by  the  Member  States,  institutions  and  international  organisations,  and 
accompanied by a qualitative assessment of the progress made. 

The European Commission, in its Communication concerning the Strategy for the Rights of 
Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030, notes that ‘monitoring the progress in Member States 
will rely on improved statistical data collection on the situation of persons with disabilities’. 

The  European  Commission  set  out  strategic  guidance  for  the  implementation  of  the 
Recovery  and  Resilience  Facility  in  its  2021  Annual  Sustainable  Growth  Strategy. 
Commission  recommendations  specifically  state  that  Member  States  should  outline  the 
most important national challenges in terms of gender equality and equal opportunities for 
all, regardless of gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual 
orientation. 

The European social dimension is an important part of the broader debate on the ‘Future 
of Europe’. In this context, the EPSR aims to build a more inclusive and fairer European 
Union. The Pillar builds on 20 key principles, and principle 17 covers ‘Inclusion of people 
with disabilities’. 

The  following  analysis  aims  to  give  an  estimate  of  the  number  in  the  target  group  and 
outline its main characteristics. 

1.2  Assessment and analysis of main results and their evolution 

1.2.1  The definition of persons with disabilities 

The EU-SILC survey reports on activity limitation. The concept is operationalised by using 
the  Global  Activity  Limitation  Indicator  (GALI)  for  observing  limitations  in  activities  that 
people usually do, owing to one or more health problems.7 

The GALI question refers to a self-evaluation by respondents of the extent to which they 
are limited in doing activities that people usually do,  due to health problems,  and for at 
least the past six months.  

Since 2021, the EU-SILC model question (PH030)8 has been:  

7   The variables on health status represent the Minimum European Health Module (MEHM). They measure 

three different concepts of health: self-perceived health, chronic morbidity and activity 
limitation – disability. See ‘Health variables of EU-SILC’ at 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/metadata/en/hlth_silc_01_esms.htm. 

8   European Commission – Eurostat (2021), Methodological Guidelines and description of EU-SILC Target 

Variables – 2021 operation 2021 (Version 7), DocSILC065 (2021 operation), Directorate F: Social Statistics, 
Unit F-4: Quality of life. 
Before 2021, the question was: ‘For at least the past six months, to what extent have you been limited 
because of a health problem in activities people usually do? Would you say you have been 1. Severely 
limited, 2. Limited but not severely, or 3. Not limited at all?’ 

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Question 1: ‘Are you limited because of a health problem in activities people usually do? 
Would you say you are: 

- 
- 
- 

severely limited;  
limited but not severely; or  
not limited at all?’  

If the answer to question 1 is ‘severely limited’  or  ‘limited but not severely’, question 2 
asks: ‘Have you been limited for at least the past 6 months? Yes, No’. 

Eurostat notes (Commission 2021) that the period of at least the past six months is strictly 
related  to  the  duration  of  the  activity  limitation  and  not  to  the  duration  of  the  health 
problem. 

Eurostat notes9 that GALI is only one of different ways of measuring disability. Alternative 
approaches include the use of the concept of functional limitations (difficulties in seeing, 
hearing, walking, cognition, self-care and communication), but this is difficult to implement 
in  non-specialised  surveys.  Furthermore,  GALI  is  closer  to  the  EU  policy  target 
(participation) and provides several other advantages (for example, it enables disability to 
be measured with a single-item instrument). In addition, GALI has an acceptable level of 
reliability. 

In the following analysis, ‘strongly limited’ and ‘limited’ will serve as a proxy for disability. 

The  EU-SILC  survey  covers  all  individuals  aged  16  years  old  and  over  who  are  living  in 
private households. However, since 2021, a three-year rolling module presents information 
on  disability  among  persons  aged  under  16.  In  addition,  persons  living  in  collective 
households or in institutions are, generally, excluded from the target population. Below is 
an estimate of the numbers of persons with disabilities in institutions. 

For comparison, we may note that the UN Convention states that ‘persons with disabilities 
include  those  who  have  long-term  physical,  mental,  intellectual  or  sensory  impairments 
which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation 
in society on an equal basis with others’. 

The EU-SILC definition does not consider any ‘interactions with barriers’, which is the basis 
of  modern  approaches  to  disability.  However,  it  may  be  argued  that  the  definition  lies 
between the two major conceptual models of disability: the medical model, which views 
disability as a feature of the person, directly caused by disease (disability requires medical 
care), and the social model of disability, which sees disability as a socially created problem 
and not at all an attribute of an individual (disability demands a political response to correct 
an unaccommodating physical or social environment).10 

In a simplified representation running from ‘Body Functions’ to ‘Activity’ and ‘Participation’, 
it could be argued that the GALI definition focuses on activity (the execution of a task or 
action by an individual). 

An  improvement  of  the  GALI  question  might  be  its  extension  to  take  into  account 
interactions with barriers. The questionnaire could be adapted as follows: if a person says 
that he/she has been ‘limited because of a health problem in activities people usually do’, 
a possible further question might be: ‘Do you consider that a “reasonable accommodation” 
may  eradicate / decrease  these  limitations:  1.  Yes,  to  a  large  extent;  2.  Yes,  in  some 
extent;  3.  No,  not  at  all,  or  4.  I  don’t  know’.  An  alternative  option  might  be:  1.  All 
limitations; 2. Most limitations; 3. Certain limitations; 4. Some limitations; 5. None; 6. I 

9   Eurostat (2015), Item 4.3: Global Activity Limitation Indicator (GALI) as a core variable, Directorate F: 

Social Statistics, DSS/2015/Sept/04.3. Meeting of the European Directors of Social Statistics, Luxembourg, 
15–17 September 2015. 

10   World Health Organization (WHO) (2002), Towards a Common Language for Functioning, Disability and 

Health: ICF, Geneva. 

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

don’t know. An explanation could indicate that the term reasonable accommodation might 
include technical aids, the eradication of architectural barriers, etc. In specific surveys that 
focus on employment, education or accessibility, for example, the reference to ‘reasonable 
accommodation’ might take more concrete forms. 

Various Eurobarometer surveys11 have included a question on whether a person considers 
themselves  to  be  part  of  a  minority  in  terms  of  disability.  However,  this  definition  is 
different from the one adopted in most other surveys and does not enable comparisons to 
be  made  with  those  surveys.  The  findings  from  these  surveys  have  been  detailed  in 
previous ANED reports. 

1.2.2  Prevalence of disability by Member State 

In the EU 27 in 2023, about 26.8 % (27.0 % in 2022) of persons aged 16 and over declared 
a disability (activity limitation). 

This  represented  about  99.8  million  people  with  disabilities  aged  16  and  over  living  in 
private households. However, this number should be interpreted with caution. It includes 
all people with both moderate or severe disabilities, young and old. The implications for 
disability prevention or identification of support needs may vary considerably. In general, 
this indicates potential future demands for policy action. However, a distinction between 
moderate  and  severe  disability,  as  highlighted  below,  might  be  more  relevant  for 
immediate policy priorities. 

Table 3: Persons with disabilities living in private households in the EU 27, aged 
16+, 2023  

Persons 
without disabilities 

Persons 
with disabilities 

Number in millions (1 000 000) 

Total 

Women 

Men 

Total 

Women 

Men 

272.2 

135.9 

136.2 

73.2 

70.8 

75.7 

99.8 

56.1 

43.7 

Percentage (%) 

26.8 

29.2 

24.3 

Total 

372.0 

192.0 

179.9 

100 

100 

100 

Note: This definition of disability is relatively broad (see below, disability prevalence by degree). It 
excludes  persons  with  disabilities  in  institutions.  In  previous  reports,  we  have  analysed  the 
implications of a disability duration of more than one year. This led to a significantly lower disability 
rate. 
Detailed tables are presented in the Statistical Annex. 
Data source: 1) Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_silc_12/default/table?lang=en&category=dsb
.dsb_p.dsb_pgali, Data extracted on 14 April 2025 from [ESTAT] and 2) EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, 
version 1 (autumn release). 

In  the  following  figure,  we  present  disability  prevalence  by  Member  State  in  2022  and 
2023.  At  EU  level,  we  observe  a  marginal  decrease  between  2022  (27.0 %)  and  2023 
(26.8 %). 

11   Eurobarometer 83.4: Special Eurobarometer on discrimination 436 & 437 – Basic Bilingual Questionnaire, 

TNS Opinion, May–June 2015, ZA 6595/ICPSR. 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 1: Percentage of persons with disabilities by Member State, 2022 and 
2023 
As a % of the same age group; age: 16+.  
This definition of disability is relatively broad (see below, disability prevalence by degree). 

Note:  Changes  ought  to  be  treated  with  care.  In  this  context,  ‘EU’  refers  to  27  Member  States. 
Disability is proxied by GALI (limitation in activities people usually do because of health problems). 
The supporting data are presented in the Annex (Statistical Tables). 
The  data  for  Luxembourg  indicate  a  significant  change  between  2022  and  2023  and  ought  to  be 
treated with caution. This has implications on socio-economic indicators. 
Data source: Eurostat, 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_silc_12/default/table?lang=en&category=dsb
.dsb_p.dsb_pgali. Data extracted on 14 April 2025 from [ESTAT]  

Variations  in  national  disability  prevalence  rates  can  be  attributed  to  differences  in  age 
structures,  socio-economic  conditions,  and  institutional  factors.  We  have  argued  in 
previous reports that institutional factors such as the generosity of social security systems 
may affect the thresholds over which a persons will declare a moderate disability. 

Within  each  Member  State,  we  find  significant  regional  differences.  This  reveals  the 
importance of socio-economic conditions and the weakness of explanations such as cultural 
differences and similar factors. 

National differences should not obscure the information conveyed by the GALI indicator. 
National disability prevalences are quite stable over time and minor differences from one 
year to the next can be explained, to a considerable extent, by changes in age structures 
and  socio-economic  factors.  Of  course,  statistical  problems  (notably,  changes  in 
questionnaires) may affect the reported estimations. 

1.2.3  Prevalence of disability among children 

As  noted  above,  the  EU-SILC  survey  covers  persons  aged  16  and  over  living  in  private 
households.  However,  since  2021,  an  EU-SILC  2021  rolling  module  has  presented 
information on disability prevalence among children aged under 16.  

The suggested question (RCH020) by Eurostat (2021) is: Is [child’s name] limited because 
of a health problem in activities most children of the same age usually do? Would you say 
he/she  is:  1.  severely  limited;  2.  limited  but  not  severely;  3.  not  limited  at  all?  If  the 
answer is ’1’ or ’2’, the interviewer asks: Has [he/she] been limited for at least the past 6 
months? 1. Yes, 2. No. 

We present below a summary of previous reports. 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

In the EU 27, in 2021, about 3.4 % of children had moderate disabilities and 1.0 % had 
severe disabilities. The overall disability rate for children aged under 16 years was 4.4 %. 
Across the EU Member States, the share of children with disabilities ranged from 9.3 % in 
Finland, down to the smallest share, 2.0 %, in Cyprus and Malta. 

Figure 2: Percentage of persons with disabilities by degree and age group, EU 
2021 
As a % of the same age group. 

Data source: Eurostat, https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/. Data extracted on 1 April 2024. 

We  note  a  significant  increase  between  the  0-4  and  5-9  age  groups,  which  may  be  the 
result of learning difficulties and other  school-related difficulties.  This is notably true  for 
moderate disabilities. 

The EU-SILC ad hoc module for 2017 indicated that disability prevalence among children 
aged  under  16  in  the  EU  27  was  4.0 %.  This  can  be  broken  down  into  0.8 %  having  a 
severe disability and 3.2 % having a moderate disability.12 

1.2.4  Persons with disabilities in institutions 

Data are scarce and we present below a summary of previous reports. 

A  recent  EDE  report13  estimated  that  more  than  1  million  persons  with  disabilities  aged 
below 65 were living in institutions in the EU 27. In the 65+ age group, more than 2 million 
persons with disabilities were living in institutions (including retirement homes). Persons 
with  disabilities  living  in  institutions  (in  a  broad  sense)  represented  about  0.8 %  of  the 
total population of the EU 27. 

1.2.5  Disability prevalence by gender 

At EU level in 2023, about 29.2 % of women aged 16 and over declared a disability (activity 
limitation), compared to 24.3 % of men in the same age group. 

The prevalence of disability is higher among women, mainly due to the age composition: 
disability  prevalence  increases  with  age,  and  women  have  a  longer  life  expectancy. 

12   See Eurostat 

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ilc_hch13__custom_10647644/default/table?lang=en&pag
e=time:2021. 

13   Grammenos, S. (2021), ‘COVID-19 and persons with disabilities: Statistics on Health, Care, Isolation and 

Networking’, European Disability Expertise. 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

However, other personal factors and socio-economic characteristics may also contribute to 
explaining the difference between men and women. 

Figure 3: Percentage of people with disabilities by Member State and gender, 
2023 
As a % of the same age group; age: 16+. 

Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_silc_12/default/table?lang=en&category=dsb
.dsb_p.dsb_pgali. Data extracted on 14 April 2025 from [ESTAT].  

1.2.6  Degree of disability 

In the EU 27 in 2023, about 7.2 % of persons aged 16 and over declared a severe disability 
(strongly  limited).  About  19.6 %  declared  a  moderate  disability.  This  amounted  to  72.9 
million persons with a moderate disability aged 16 and over living in private households, 
and 26.8 million persons with a severe disability. 

Figure 4: Percentage of people with disabilities by Member State and degree of 
disability, 2023 
As a % of the same age group; age: 16+. 

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_silc_12/default/table?lang=en&category=dsb
.dsb_p.dsb_pgali. Data extracted on 14 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

Regarding the degree of disability, it is worth noting that the variation in severe disability 
prevalence  across  Member  States  is  smaller  than  the  variation  observed  in  moderate 
disability prevalence. 

1.2.7   Population of persons with disabilities by age group 

In the EU 27 in 2023, persons with disabilities represented 18.6 % of persons aged 16–64 
and 51.7 % of persons aged 65 and over. In total, there were around 51.5 million persons 
with disabilities aged 16–64 and about 49.2 million persons with disabilities aged 65 and 
over.14 

Figure 5: Percentage of people with disabilities by Member State and age group, 
2023 

Data source: Eurostat, 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_silc_12/default/table?lang=en&category=dsb
.dsb_p.dsb_pgali. Data extracted on 14 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

1.2.8  Population of persons with disabilities by age group and degree 

The EU-SILC 2023 survey covered 372 million people aged 16 and over living in private 
households in the EU 27 (compared with 370 million in 2022). 

In the 16+ age group, there were about 26.8 million persons with severe disabilities. In 
the following figure, we present the absolute number of persons with severe disabilities by 
Member State in 2023. 

14   Rounding errors might lead to small differences with similar data. 

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 6: Number of persons with severe disabilities by Member State, age 16+, 
2023 

Note:  The  data  rely  on  self-assessments  and  ought  to  be  treated  with  caution.  The  data  are  in 
thousands. In Austria, there were about 666 000 persons with severe disabilities, while in Germany 
there were about 6 111 000 persons with severe disabilities. 
Data for AT, BG, DE, EE, HR present an annual change of 10 % or more and should be treated with 
caution. The data for Luxembourg show an important reduction in comparison to previous year but 
this reduction has been confirmed in 2024. 
Data source: 1) Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_silc_12/default/table?lang=en&category=dsb
.dsb_p.dsb_pgali, Data extracted on 14 April 2025 from [ESTAT] and 2) EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, 
version 1 (autumn release). 

In the 16–64 age group, there were about 39.2 million persons with moderate disabilities 
and 12.0 million with severe disabilities. 

In the 65+ age group, there were about 34.2 million people with moderate disabilities and 
14.9 million with severe disabilities. 

Data concerning the population living in private households is based on microdata (autumn 
release 2024). Data concerning the percentages are based on data published by Eurostat 
(data  extracted  on  14  April  2025).  Eurostat  data  are  the  latest  available  at  the  time  of 
publishing this report. However, Eurostat data do not enable us to draw estimations on the 
number of persons living in private households. For this purpose, we use the microdata. 
Since the two sources of data are based on different releases (dates), they might present 
small differences. This is due partly to the fact that ‘missing’ values in early releases are 
later clarified and included in the data. These differences between the two versions of data 
were  redressed  (eliminated)  whenever  this  was  possible  but  small  differences  might 
remain. 

Table 4: Persons with disabilities by degree of disability and age group in the 
EU, 2023 

2023 

Total 16+ 

Age: 16-64 

Age: 65+ 

Persons 
without 
disabilities 

271.6 

225.5 

46.1 

Persons with 
moderate 
disabilities 

Persons with 
severe 
disabilities 

Number in millions (1 000 000) 

(73.4) 

39.2 

34.2 

26.9 

12.0 

14.9 

Total 

 372.0    

 276.7    

 95.2    

Per cent (%) 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Total 16+ 

Age: 16-64 

Age: 65+ 

73.0 

81.5 

48.4 

19.7 

14.2 

36.0 

7.2 

4.4 

15.7 

100 

100 

100 

Note: Persons living in private households. Rounding errors might explain marginal differences with 
similar data presented elsewhere in the report. 
Data source: 1) Eurostat, 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_silc_12/default/table?lang=en&category=dsb
.dsb_p.dsb_pgali, data extracted on 14 April 2025 from [ESTAT], and 2) EU-SILC 2023 release 
2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

The following graph presents the distribution by degree and age group of the number of 
persons with disabilities aged 16 and over living in private households.  

Figure 7: Population of persons with disabilities by degree of disability and age 
group, EU, 2023 
Persons living in private households   

Data rounded to millions 

Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_silc_12/default/table?lang=en&category=dsb
.dsb_p.dsb_pgali. Data extracted on 14 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

Among  people  with  disabilities,  older  people  with  disabilities  represented  49.1 %  of  all 
people with disabilities (aged 16 and over living in private households). 

The following figure presents disability prevalence in the EU 27 in 2023, by age group (of 
10 years) and degree, in more detail. Among persons aged 16–24, there were 2 % (1.8 %) 
with severe disabilities and 7 % (6.5 %) with moderate disabilities. At the other extreme, 
in the 85+ age group, the respective rates were 33 % (33.1 %) and 42 % (41.7 %). 

It may be noted that the proportion of persons with severe disabilities among all persons 
with  disabilities  increases  with  age.  Persons  with  severe  disabilities  represented  about 
21.7 % of all persons  with disabilities  aged 16–24, while in the  oldest age group, those 
aged 85 and over, they represented 44.3 % of all persons with disabilities. 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 8: Disability prevalence by degree of disability and age group, EU, 2023 

Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_silc_12/default/table?lang=en&category=dsb
.dsb_p.dsb_pgali. Data extracted on 15 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

1.2.9  Evolution of disability prevalence 

Disability prevalence varies sharply across Member States, but at EU level, the variation 
over  time  is  small.  A  small  increasing  trend  from  2007  to  2014  can  be  observed.  The 
decrease in 2015 and 2016 was mainly the result of changes concerning the definition of 
‘disability’ in certain Member States, notably Germany and Italy. 

In general, this increasing trend reflects an ageing population. In a stable population, one 
could  expect  a  decreasing  trend  over  the  medium  and  long  term  due  to  technological 
progress. However, the rates reported here are crude rates and are not standardised by a 
reference age structure for the population. The age factor outweighs any technological and 
medical innovation. This issue has been discussed in previous EDE reports. 

Another  factor  that  may  affect  disability  prevalence  is  socio-economic  deterioration 
following a  financial crisis, specifically that which occurred in 2008–2009. The  economic 
deterioration may have adversely affected living conditions and health. An economic crisis 
may affect morbidity and chronic illness through direct effects (it might increase stress); 
income  effects  (malnutrition  and  unmet  medical  needs);  education  and  lifestyle  effects 
(risky behaviours); and social capital (isolation and reduction of external resources).  

COVID-19  may  be  a  further  factor  affecting  disability  prevalence,  notably  moderate 
disabilities. This is evident in the upward trend observed between 2020 and 2022. 

Disability prevalence seems to have stabilised around 27 % in 2022 and 2023.  

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 9: Evolution of disability prevalence, percentage of people with 
disabilities by degree, EU 27 
As % of the same age group; age: 16+ 

Note: The decrease in 2015 and 2016 is mainly the result of changes concerning the definition of 
‘disability’  in  certain  Member  States,  notably  Germany  and  Italy.  Data  for  2005–2009  cover  the 
EU 28. 
Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_silc_12/default/table?lang=en&category=dsb
.dsb_p.dsb_pgali. Data extracted on 15 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

1.3  Beneficiaries of disability benefits 

An interesting question is the relationship between administrative data and the EU-SILC 
survey’s concept of persons with disabilities. The EU-SILC survey provides information on 
persons who receive disability benefits. According to the EU-SILC methodology, ‘disability 
benefits refer to benefits that provide an income to persons below standard retirement age 
whose ability to work and earn is impaired beyond a minimum level laid down by legislation 
by a physical or mental disability’. These disability benefits include: 1. Disability pension; 
2.  Early  retirement  in  case  of  reduced  ability  to  work;  3.  Care  allowance;  4.  Economic 
integration  of  persons  with  severe  disabilities;  5.  Disability  benefits  to  children  with 
disabilities in their own right, and, 6. Other cash benefits. 

Persons who receive a disability benefit are not necessarily persons with severe disabilities, 
according to the GALI indicator. Indeed, in certain Member States, persons with a moderate 
disability  receive  a  disability  benefit.  This  implies  that  countries  with  generous  social 
security schemes will tend to have a high number of persons receiving disability benefits. 
We must note that persons receiving disability benefits have an administratively recognised 
disability, while severe disability is a self-assessment. Consequently, the two groups might 
cover different populations. 

We  present  here  the  percentage  of  persons  receiving  a  disability  benefit.  Given  that,  in 
several Member States, disability pensions are replaced by an ordinary retirement pension, 
we present data for the 16 to 64 age group. Lastly, persons with disabilities might under-
report  receiving  disability  benefits  due  to  lack  of  information,  or  for  other  reasons  (e.g. 
stigmatisation). 

In the EU 27 in 2023, the recipiency rate for persons aged 16 to 64 was 4.7 % (4.8 % in 
2022). 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

This  represents  12.5  million  beneficiaries  of  disability  benefits  in  the  EU  in  2023.  The 
ESSPROS15  system  gives  about  14.3  million  beneficiaries  of  disability  pensions  in  2022 
(latest available data). The ESSPROS system collects national administrative data. 

In the following figure, we may observe small relative changes between 2019 and 2023, 
except notably in France, Ireland and Romania. Globally, at EU level, there was a marginal 
decrease from 4.74 % to 4.66 %. 

Figure 10: Percentage of persons who receive a disability benefit, aged 16-64 

Note: We have taken 2019 for comparison because there is a break in time series between 2018 and 
2019 in Belgium. In fact, Belgium changed the conditions governing long-term sick leave in 2017. In 
2018, the recipiency rate was 5.9 % but increased sharply afterwards. According to this modification, 
after  nine  months,  under  certain  conditions,  the  employee  can  be  considered  as  permanently 
incapacitated.  Persons  with  health  insurance  benefits  might  report  receiving  disability  insurance 
benefits.  The  EU-SILC  estimation  gives  1 236 000  beneficiaries,  compared  to  942 000  pension 
beneficiaries, in 2022, according to ESSPROS. 
Data source: EU-SILC UDB & Eurostat, 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/spr_pns_ben__custom_12149826/default/ta
ble?lang=en. Data extracted on 16 April 2025. 

1.4  Nature of disabilities 

Detailed  data  were  provided  in  previous  reports.  We  present  here  a  summary  of  these 
data. 

15   Eurostat (European system of integrated social protection statistics – ESSPROS), see 

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/spr_pns_ben__custom_12149826/default/table?lang=en. 

27 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

The  EU-SILC  survey  for  2022  included  the  three-year  module  on  health.  The  module 
collected information on functional limitations for the following variables: 

1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 
6. 

Difficulty in seeing, even when wearing glasses or contact lenses. 
Difficulty in hearing, even when using a hearing aid. 
Difficulty in walking or climbing steps. 
Difficulty in remembering or concentrating. 
Difficulty (with self-care such as) washing all over or dressing. 
Difficulty  in  communicating  (using  usual  language,  for  example  understanding  or 
being understood by others).16 

For each variable, possible answers were: 

1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 

No, no difficulty. 
Yes, some difficulty (moderate). 
Yes, a lot of difficulty. 
Cannot walk at all. 

We have aggregated answers 3 and 4 under the term ‘severe difficulties’. 

In the following figure, we can see that, among persons aged 16 and over in the EU 27 in 
2022: 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

2.6 % had severe difficulty seeing; 
1.9 % had severe difficulty hearing; 
5.8 % had severe difficulty walking;  
2.5 % had severe difficulty remembering; and 
1.0 % had severe difficulty communicating. 

Figure 11: Percentage of people with difficulties in basic functional activities by 
degree, age: 16+, EU, 2022 

Data source: EU-SILC 2022 release 2023, version 2. 

The following table presents the number of persons with difficulties in functional activities 
by degree in the EU in 2022. 

16   EU-SILC UDB 2022, Release 2023, Version 2, does not present difficulties with self-care. 

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 5: Persons with difficulties in functional activities by degree and type in 
the EU, age: 16+, 2022 
The data cover persons living in private households. 

Severe 

Moderate 

No difficulty 

Total 

In % 

Seeing 

Hearing 

Walking 

Remembering 

Communicating 

Seeing 

Hearing 

Walking 

Remembering 

Communicating 

2.6 

1.9 

5.8 

2.5 

1.0 

Severe 

9 611 

7 134 

21 440 

9 204 

3 844 

17.7 

10.0 

12.6 

12.7 

3.7 

79.7 

88.1 

81.7 

84.9 

95.3 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

In 1 000 

Moderate 

No difficulty 

Total 

65 318 

36 780 

46 428 

46 835 

13 603 

294 724 

325 738 

301 822 

313 651 

352 205 

369 653 

369 653 

369 690 

369 690 

369 653 

Data source: EU-SILC 2022 release 2023, version 2. Further data can be downloaded from Eurostat, 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ilc_hch19$dv_2264/default/table?lang=en&categ
ory=dsb.dsb_p.dsb_pba.  

The following table presents the percentage, by age group, of persons in the EU reporting 
severe  difficulties  in  functional  activities  in  2022.  The  last  column  presents  the  total 
population covered by age group and helps to establish the absolute number of persons 
with severe difficulties by age group and type of functional activity. 

Table 6: Percentage of people with severe difficulties in basic functional 
activities by type and age group, EU, 2022 
Multiplying the percentage by the total population in each age group gives the number of persons 
reporting severe difficulties for the specific functional activity and age group. 
The data cover persons living in private households. 

Seeing  Hearing  Walking  Remembering  Communicating 

16-24 

25-34 

3544 

45-54 

55-64 

65-74 

75+ 

% 

0.9 

1.0 

1.1 

1.8 

2.1 

3.3 

8.9 

0.3 

0.5 

0.6 

0.9 

1.5 

2.3 

8.4 

0.6 

0.9 

1.4 

2.5 

5.1 

8.6 

24.4 

Total 16+ 

2.6 

1.9 

5.8 

1.8 

1.7 

1.5 

1.5 

1.8 

2.1 

8.2 

2.5 

EU Total 
population 
1 000 

40 110 

51 358 

59 080 

63 138 

61 703 

50 373 

43 892 

0.8 

0.8 

0.7 

0.6 

0.6 

0.9 

3.4 

1.0 

369 653 

Data source: EU-SILC 2022 release 2023, version 2. Further data can be downloaded from Eurostat, 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ilc_hch19$dv_2264/default/table?lang=en&categ
ory=dsb.dsb_p.dsb_pba.  

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

1.5  Statistical tables 

Table 7: Percentage of people with disabilities by Member State, 2023 
The data include only persons living in private households (see note). 

2023 

In % of the same age group 

Total 

Gender 

Degree 

Age group 

Men 

Women 

Severe 

Moderate 

Total 

Total 

16+ 

16-64 

65+ 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

29.7 

25.4 

13.6 

21.1 

26.8 

28.2 

36.7 

32.5 

23.1 

29.6 

34.8 

26.8 

28.9 

22.3 

20.5 

20.6 

27.4 

11.9 

40.7 

13.8 

32.4 

24.4 

33.4 

30.6 

22.6 

21.6 

30.5 

27.6 

22.9 

11.4 

20.7 

24.1 

26.2 

33.6 

29.6 

21.1 

26.8 

30.9 

24.3 

26.7 

19.2 

19.1 

18.7 

24.5 

10.3 

35.9 

11.6 

29.5 

22.3 

28.4 

25.5 

19.6 

21.1 

28.0 

31.7 

27.8 

15.6 

21.4 

29.2 

30.1 

39.6 

35.0 

24.9 

32.2 

38.8 

29.1 

30.9 

25.1 

21.9 

22.5 

29.8 

13.5 

44.3 

16.2 

35.4 

26.1 

37.9 

35.2 

25.7 

22.1 

32.9 

8.8 

8.7 

2.5 

7.8 

7.3 

8.7 

6.6 

11.5 

9.4 

5.1 

7.2 

10.2 

7.7 

6.1 

5.2 

5.1 

6.4 

2.9 

10.1 

3.8 

4.9 

7.0 

7.6 

4.4 

4.9 

6.8 

8.6 

20.9 

16.7 

11.1 

13.3 

19.5 

19.5 

30.1 

21.0 

13.7 

24.5 

27.6 

16.6 

21.2 

16.2 

15.3 

15.5 

21.0 

9.0 

30.6 

10.0 

27.6 

17.3 

25.8 

26.2 

17.7 

14.8 

21.9 

23.9 

20.3 

6.5 

13.1 

17.0 

19.4 

32.8 

23.4 

10.0 

23.2 

28.5 

19.9 

16.1 

12.7 

16.0 

10.4 

16.8 

9.6 

29.3 

7.8 

26.2 

15.4 

23.3 

15.7 

19.4 

16.0 

20.6 

50.9 

42.1 

32.0 

55.2 

56.1 

54.7 

48.3 

59.2 

58.9 

50.5 

51.3 

45.7 

65.0 

53.3 

40.1 

47.8 

59.2 

23.3 

72.2 

37.0 

52.4 

49.8 

59.2 

74.8 

32.2 

39.8 

67.5 

EU 

26.8 

24.3 

29.2 

7.2 

19.6 

18.6 

51.7 

Note: All EU-SILC estimates cover only persons living in private households. 
Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_silc_12/default/table?lang=en&category=dsb
.dsb_p.dsb_pgali. Data extracted on 14 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 8: Percentage of people with disabilities by Member State, 2022 
The data include only persons living in private households (see note). 

2022 

In % of the same age group 

Total 

Gender 

Degree 

Age group 

Men 

Women 

Severe 

Moderate 

Total 

Total 

16+ 

16-64 

65+ 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

28.9 

25.6 

14.6 

19.2 

26.6 

30.4 

36.1 

30.5 

22.2 

30.4 

33.9 

25.3 

30.8 

23.0 

21.1 

22.7 

27.9 

28.5 

38.5 

15.1 

32.3 

24.2 

34.0 

28.7 

21.7 

20.9 

30.6 

27.3 

22.9 

12.6 

18.4 

24.0 

28.4 

32.5 

27.2 

20.4 

27.2 

29.4 

23.4 

28.7 

20.2 

20.8 

20.3 

25.1 

26.5 

33.2 

12.9 

28.6 

21.8 

29.2 

24.0 

18.9 

20.1 

28.0 

30.5 

28.3 

16.4 

19.9 

29.1 

32.5 

39.6 

33.3 

24.0 

33.4 

38.3 

27.0 

32.7 

25.6 

21.5 

25.0 

30.3 

30.5 

42.6 

17.6 

36.0 

26.3 

38.2 

33.1 

24.5 

21.8 

33.1 

8.0 

8.5 

2.7 

7.3 

7.6 

9.8 

6.9 

10.3 

9.0 

5.6 

8.0 

9.7 

8.4 

6.6 

5.6 

5.5 

5.9 

5.8 

9.5 

4.1 

5.0 

6.6 

8.0 

4.7 

5.0 

6.8 

8.5 

20.9 

17.1 

11.9 

11.9 

19.0 

20.6 

29.2 

20.2 

13.2 

24.8 

25.8 

15.6 

22.4 

16.4 

15.6 

17.2 

22.0 

22.7 

28.9 

11.1 

27.3 

17.6 

26.0 

24.0 

16.7 

14.1 

22.1 

23.3 

20.1 

7.8 

11.2 

16.7 

21.6 

33.0 

21.1 

9.9 

23.6 

26.6 

17.8 

17.4 

13.5 

16.5 

12.3 

17.8 

24.9 

26.2 

8.8 

26.2 

15.7 

24.0 

14.6 

18.5 

15.4 

20.9 

49.8 

44.1 

34.3 

53.2 

56.5 

55.6 

45.6 

57.5 

56.1 

53.0 

52.6 

45.9 

67.6 

54.0 

41.2 

50.1 

59.1 

47.6 

73.7 

38.1 

52.0 

50.6 

60.2 

74.9 

31.1 

39.5 

68.1 

EU 

27.0 

24.4 

29.5 

7.2 

19.8 

18.7 

52.2 

Note: All EU-SILC estimates cover only persons living in private households. 
Data source: Eurostat, https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/main/data/database.  
Data extracted on 30 March 2024 from [ESTAT]. 

31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 9: Percentage of people with disabilities by Member State, 2021 
The data include only persons living in private households. 

2021 

In % of the same age group 

Total 

Gender 

Degree 

Age group 

Men 

Women 

Severe 

Moderate 

Total 

Total 

16+ 

16-64 

65+ 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

27.5 

24.4 

17.7 

19.1 

24.7 

24.5 

35.2 

33.4 

23.3 

28.0 

28.2 

22.7 

31.9 

21.5 

19.1 

22.2 

31.2 

25.5 

37.1 

16.7 

29.9 

23.0 

34.9 

29.4 

19.4 

21.4 

30.5 

26.1 

21.8 

15.0 

19.1 

22.9 

23.2 

31.5 

30.2 

21.8 

24.9 

25.1 

20.6 

29.3 

18.3 

18.5 

19.9 

27.9 

23.2 

32.6 

14.5 

27.6 

21.1 

30.2 

25.1 

16.8 

20.2 

27.3 

28.9 

26.8 

20.2 

19.1 

26.4 

25.9 

38.9 

36.2 

24.7 

30.8 

31.2 

24.7 

34.4 

24.3 

19.7 

24.4 

33.9 

28.0 

40.7 

19.0 

32.2 

24.6 

39.0 

33.5 

22.0 

22.6 

33.4 

7.9 

8.3 

3.4 

7.3 

7.2 

24.5 

7.0 

11.2 

9.4 

5.3 

7.2 

8.3 

8.9 

5.7 

5.2 

6.5 

5.8 

6.0 

7.8 

3.8 

4.3 

6.9 

9.6 

5.6 

4.3 

6.6 

9.4 

19.6 

16.1 

14.3 

11.9 

17.5 

0.0 

28.2 

22.3 

13.9 

22.6 

21.0 

14.5 

23.0 

15.7 

13.9 

15.7 

25.4 

19.5 

29.4 

12.9 

25.6 

16.1 

25.3 

23.8 

15.1 

14.8 

21.0 

21.8 

18.9 

10.0 

11.9 

15.7 

17.0 

31.0 

24.8 

10.4 

21.7 

22.2 

16.3 

19.8 

13.1 

15.2 

12.6 

20.8 

22.5 

25.7 

10.7 

23.8 

15.1 

25.6 

16.3 

16.7 

15.6 

21.5 

49.1 

42.7 

40.3 

50.9 

52.9 

43.5 

48.1 

59.6 

59.1 

49.0 

44.0 

40.6 

68.6 

49.6 

36.3 

47.7 

63.4 

43.7 

70.2 

38.5 

49.9 

48.0 

60.8 

73.2 

27.6 

41.2 

65.8 

EU 

25.2 

22.7 

27.5 

8.6 

16.6 

17.5 

48.5 

Note: All EU-SILC estimates cover only persons living in private households. 
‘:’ stands for missing data. 
Data source: Eurostat, https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/main/data/database.  
Data extracted on 30 March 2024 from [ESTAT]. 

32 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 10: Percentage of children with disabilities by age group, EU 2021 
Total 
Age 

Moderate 

Severe 

0-4 

5-9 

10-15 

2.0 

3.4 

4.3 

0.7 

0.9 

1.3 

Under 16 
Data source: Eurostat, https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/main/data/database.  
Data extracted on 1 April 2024 from [ESTAT]. 

3.4 

1.0 

2.7 

4.3 

5.6 

4.4 

Table 11: Percentage of persons who receive a disability benefit, aged 16-64 

2010 

2015 

2018 

2019 

2020 

2021 

2022 

2023 

4.7 

5.9 

7.0 

3.2 

7.0 

4.0 

8.0 

3.9 

5.9 

17.3 

3.1 

6.9 

3.9 

5.6 

4.2 

16.5 

8.1 

2.7 

7.2 

3.7 

6.7 

4.2 

15.9 

8.3 

2.9 

6.7 

3.7 

6.7 

3.9 

16.5 

8.0 

2.8 

6.1 

3.8 

6.9 

3.7 

16.8 

6.5 

2.6 

6.2 

3.5 

4.0 

3.3 

17.3 

7.9 

2.6 

5.9 

3.4 

4.5 

12.1 

12.8 

12.2 

13.5 

14.0 

13.8 

12.8 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

4.7 

5.0 

7.7 

3.0 

8.2 

3.8 

9.8 

8.5 

2.1 

3.7 

10.4 

3.9 

10.3 

7.5 

12.1 

4.2 

7.7 

3.7 

7.1 

3.3 

5.5 

6.8 

3.6 

4.9 

7.2 

6.8 

5.8 

2.1 

3.7 

10.1 

2.4 

7.1 

5.5 

11.4 

4.4 

10.9 

4.4 

7.3 

2.7 

5.0 

6.0 

2.9 

3.3 

6.2 

6.0 

5.3 

2.1 

4.0 

9.7 

2.4 

6.3 

5.2 

10.8 

4.5 

9.6 

3.3 

8.5 

2.4 

4.7 

6.0 

2.8 

3.2 

4.9 

5.9 

5.7 

4.9 

EU 27 
Note: Data in Slovakia for 2021 refer to 2020. 
Data source: EU-SILC UDB. 

4.5 

4.5 

2.3 

4.4 

2.2 

4.2 

2.3 

3.8 

2.3 

3.6 

2.3 

3.5 

10.7 

10.7 

10.7 

10.7 

11.1 

2.8 

5.9 

5.4 

12.4 

4.5 

10.4 

2.8 

8.6 

2.4 

4.4 

5.9 

2.7 

3.1 

4.2 

5.1 

6.1 

5.1 

5.5 

5.2 

7.0 

3.8 

4.9 

5.0 

5.0 

7.3 

4.0 

4.8 

5.2 

4.9 

7.6 

4.2 

4.9 

5.9 

4.2 

6.6 

4.3 

10.9 

10.1 

10.2 

10.1 

2.7 

8.8 

2.5 

4.6 

5.8 

3.1 

2.8 

4.1 

6.9 

7.6 

2.9 

9.0 

2.4 

4.8 

5.5 

3.0 

2.7 

4.4 

6.0 

7.6 

2.5 

9.3 

2.3 

4.5 

5.1 

3.2 

2.1 

4.0 

6.0 

6.6 

2.2 

9.9 

2.1 

5.0 

5.3 

3.2 

2.1 

4.0 

5.6 

6.7 

4.7 

5.1 

5.0 

4.8 

4.7 

33 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 12: Population of people with disabilities by Member State, aged 16+, 
2023 
The data include only persons living in private households. 
A wide definition of disability is used. The following table presents persons with severe disabilities. 
The data are indicative and comparisons between years ought to be treated with caution. 

In thousands (1 000) 

Disability 

No 

Yes 

Total 

No 

5 320 

7 001 

4 726 

600 

2 247 

2 383 

744 

160 

7 567 

9 385 

5 470 

760 

2 685 

3 552 

2 301 

290 

6 289 

2 295 

8 584 

3 143 

Men 

Yes 

16+ 

1 023 

1 055 

296 

76 

998 

Total 

No 

Yes 

Total 

Women 

3 708 

4 607 

2 597 

365 

2 635 

3 449 

2 425 

310 

1 223 

1 328 

448 

84 

3 858 

4 777 

2 873 

395 

4 141 

3 146 

1 298 

4 444 

50 437 

19 802 

70 239 

25 362 

9 004 

34 366 

25 075 

10 798 

35 873 

3 090 

1 788 

751 

361 

6 707 

2 011 

4 878 

1 113 

8 718 

1 588 

364 

3 322 

803 

153 

888 

2 391 

1 502 

518 

387 

985 

208 

2 487 

595 

4 211 

3 385 

1 122 

4 507 

28 372 

11 917 

40 289 

14 316 

5 241 

19 557 

14 056 

6 676 

20 732 

2 987 

1 603 

4 590 

1 559 

697 

2 256 

1 429 

906 

2 334 

40 096 

14 684 

54 780 

19 819 

6 362 

26 182 

20 276 

8 322 

28 599 

2 244 

6 151 

3 220 

911 

1 767 

832 

3 155 

7 919 

4 051 

1 108 

3 015 

1 601 

404 

717 

378 

1 511 

3 732 

1 979 

1 136 

3 136 

1 618 

508 

1 051 

454 

1 644 

4 187 

2 072 

40 283 

10 490 

50 772 

19 987 

4 597 

24 584 

20 296 

5 892 

26 188 

1 745 

469 

915 

396 

658 

63 

623 

63 

2 403 

532 

1 538 

459 

833 

242 

442 

215 

270 

28 

248 

28 

1 103 

270 

690 

243 

913 

227 

472 

181 

387 

35 

376 

35 

1 300 

262 

848 

216 

9 876 

4 751 

14 627 

5 097 

2 133 

7 230 

4 779 

2 619 

7 397 

23 133 

7 419 

30 552 

11 345 

3 256 

14 601 

11 788 

4 163 

15 951 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

6 004 

3 013 

9 016 

3 049 

RO 

10 978 

4 835 

15 813 

5 612 

SE 

SI 

SK 

6 629 

1 354 

3 088 

1 940 

8 569 

3 452 

373 

1 357 

1 728 

4 445 

682 

1 549 

1 209 

1 921 

842 

182 

602 

4 259 

7 533 

4 294 

864 

2 954 

5 365 

1 803 

2 915 

4 757 

8 280 

3 176 

1 099 

4 275 

2 152 

1 539 

673 

191 

754 

863 

2 293 

EU  272 860  99 093  371 953  136 531  43 412  179 943  136 329  55 680  192 009 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 13: Population of people with disabilities by Member State, aged 16+, 
2022 
The data include only persons living in private households. 
A wide definition of disability is used. The following table presents persons with severe disabilities. 
The data are indicative and comparisons between years ought to be treated with caution. 

In thousands (1 000) 

Disability 

No 

Yes 

Total 

No 

5 311 

6 895 

4 937 

603 

2 162 

2 379 

843 

143 

7 474 

9 274 

5 779 

746 

2 658 

3 502 

2 418 

294 

6 213 

2 254 

8 467 

3 129 

Men 

Yes 

16+ 

998 

1 040 

349 

66 

988 

Total 

No 

Yes 

Total 

Women 

3 656 

4 542 

2 767 

360 

2 653 

1 164 

3 817 

3 393 

1 339 

4 732 

2 518 

310 

494 

77 

3 012 

387 

4 118 

3 084 

1 266 

4 349 

48 375 

21 225 

69 600 

24 360 

9 663 

34 023 

24 015 

11 563 

35 577 

3 082 

1 741 

756 

331 

6 852 

1 962 

4 823 

1 087 

8 814 

1 605 

370 

3 383 

773 

138 

867 

2 377 

1 478 

508 

386 

969 

193 

2 446 

579 

4 250 

3 468 

1 095 

4 564 

27 690 

12 087 

39 777 

14 070 

5 257 

19 327 

13 620 

6 830 

20 450 

3 015 

1 549 

4 564 

1 580 

658 

2 238 

1 435 

891 

2 326 

40 558 

13 723 

54 282 

19 845 

6 062 

25 907 

20 713 

7 661 

28 374 

2 218 

6 040 

3 136 

987 

1 810 

841 

3 204 

7 850 

3 977 

1 088 

2 952 

1 552 

438 

747 

408 

1 525 

3 700 

1 960 

1 130 

549 

1 679 

3 088 

1 062 

4 150 

1 584 

434 

2 017 

39 054 

11 485 

50 539 

19 492 

4 965 

24 457 

19 562 

6 521 

26 083 

1 703 

364 

946 

370 

660 

145 

589 

66 

2 362 

508 

1 535 

437 

808 

191 

460 

198 

9 766 

4 668 

14 434 

5 097 

23 333 

7 428 

30 761 

11 504 

5 893 

3 032 

8 925 

RO 

11 241 

4 528 

15 769 

SE 

SI 

SK 

6 648 

1 361 

3 089 

1 842 

8 490 

361 

1 364 

1 722 

4 454 

2 968 

5 779 

3 448 

689 

1 551 

271 

69 

229 

29 

2 042 

3 207 

1 224 

1 825 

804 

173 

603 

1 079 

260 

689 

227 

894 

173 

486 

173 

389 

76 

360 

37 

1 283 

248 

846 

209 

7 139 

4 668 

2 626 

7 294 

14 711 

11 828 

4 221 

16 049 

4 192 

7 604 

4 252 

862 

2 925 

1 808 

4 734 

5 462 

2 703 

8 165 

3 200 

1 038 

4 238 

2 155 

1 538 

672 

187 

761 

860 

2 299 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

EU  269 762  99 938  369 700  135 248 

43 652  178 900  134 514  56 286  190 800 

Data source: EU-SILC 2022 release 2023, version 2 (autumn release). 

35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 14: Population of persons with disabilities by degree and Member State, 
aged 16+ 
The data include only persons living in private households. 
The data are indicative and comparisons between years ought to be treated with caution. 

2022 

2023 

In thousands (1 000) 

Persons with disabilities 

Severe 

Moderate 

Total 

Severe 

Moderate 

Total 

16+ 

16+ 

 598    

 788    

 156    

 54    

 643    

 1 562    

 2 160    

 1 586    

 2 374    

 688    

 89    

 844    

 143    

 666    

 816    

 137    

 59    

 1 581    

 2 247    

 1 567    

 2 384    

 607    

 101    

 744    

 160    

 1 609    

 2 252    

 627    

 1 674    

 2 301    

 6 821    

 14 338    

 21 158    

 6 111    

 13 697    

 19 807    

 333    

 112    

 793    

 1 408    

 1 741    

 220    

 332    

 1 163    

 1 957    

 322    

 128    

 819    

 1 468    

 1 790    

 234    

 362    

 1 194    

 2 014    

 2 228    

 9 865    

 12 092    

 2 055    

 9 871    

 11 926    

 365    

 1 177    

 1 543    

 330    

 1 267    

 1 597    

 5 265    

 8 468    

 13 733    

 5 588    

 9 094    

 14 681    

 269    

 518    

 223    

 718    

 987    

 1 287    

 1 805    

 620    

 843    

 243    

 483    

 211    

 669    

 912    

 1 283    

 1 766    

 620    

 831    

 2 780    

 8 693    

 11 472    

 2 589    

 7 870    

 10 459    

 139    

 29    

 146    

 18    

 722    

 520    

 115    

 444    

 48    

 659    

 145    

 589    

 66    

 154    

 15    

 155    

 17    

 505    

 48    

 471    

 46    

 658    

 63    

 626    

 63    

 3 940    

 4 662    

 717    

 4 037    

 4 754    

 2 030    

 5 414    

 7 444    

 2 139    

 5 286    

 7 424    

 714    

 741    

 424    

 117    

 379    

 2 321    

 3 035    

 3 785    

 4 526    

 1 418    

 1 842    

 243    

 360    

 984    

 1 363    

 685    

 696    

 420    

 117    

 382    

 2 326    

 3 011    

 4 143    

 4 839    

 1 517    

 1 937    

 256    

 973    

 373    

 1 356    

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

EU 

 26 615  

 73 191    

 99 806 

 26 781    

 72 903    

 99 683    

Note: Applying rounded percentages to total population has resulted in some marginal differences 
with previous tables. 
Data  source:  EU-SILC  2022  release  2023,  version  2  (autumn  release)  and  EU-SILC  2022  release 
2023, version 2 (autumn release). 

36 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 15: Population of people with disabilities by Member State, 2021 
The data include only persons living in private households. 
A wide definition of disability is used here (GALI). 
The data are indicative and comparisons between years ought to be treated with caution. 

In thousands (1 000) 

Disability 

No 

Yes 

Total 

No 

5 354 

2 044 

7 398 

6 948 

2 249 

9 196 

4 810 

1 042 

5 852 

596 

143 

739 

2 668 

3 519 

2 379 

288 

6 521 

2 145 

8 666 

3 244 

Men 

Yes 

16+ 

952 

987 

423 

69 

964 

Total 

No 

Yes 

Total 

Women 

3 621 

4 506 

2 802 

357 

2 686 

3 429 

2 431 

308 

1 092 

3 777 

1 262 

4 690 

619 

74 

3 050 

382 

4 207 

3 277 

1 182 

4 459 

52 091 

16 979 

69 070 

25 894 

7 822 

33 716 

26 197 

9 157 

35 353 

3 187 

1 603 

4 789 

1 635 

721 

363 

1 085 

352 

6 831 

2 087 

8 918 

3 366 

711 

153 

944 

2 346 

1 552 

505 

369 

892 

210 

2 444 

579 

4 310 

3 465 

1 143 

4 608 

28 551 

11 092 

39 643 

14 454 

4 818 

19 272 

14 097 

6 274 

20 371 

3 253 

1 289 

4 542 

1 663 

557 

2 221 

1 590 

731 

2 321 

40 648 

11 961 

52 609 

19 950 

5 208 

25 158 

20 698 

6 753 

27 451 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

2 248 

1 062 

3 310 

6 276 

1 711 

7 987 

1 126 

3 078 

471 

685 

1 597 

3 762 

1 122 

3 198 

591 

1 713 

1 027 

4 225 

3 189 

758 

3 948 

1 577 

360 

1 937 

1 613 

398 

2 011 

39 365 

11 282 

50 647 

19 611 

4 872 

24 484 

19 753 

6 410 

26 163 

1 628 

364 

975 

360 

740 

125 

576 

72 

2 368 

489 

1 551 

432 

775 

192 

470 

192 

303 

58 

228 

33 

1 078 

251 

698 

225 

853 

172 

505 

168 

437 

67 

348 

39 

1 290 

239 

853 

208 

10 036 

4 286 

14 321 

5 127 

1 955 

7 082 

4 908 

2 331 

7 239 

24 107 

7 171 

31 279 

11 793 

3 154 

14 947 

12 314 

4 018 

16 332 

5 734 

3 075 

8 809 

2 861 

RO 

11 220 

4 690 

15 910 

5 775 

SE 

SI 

SK 

6 790 

1 634 

8 424 

3 517 

1 357 

370 

1 727 

691 

3 116 

1 371 

4 486 

1 575 

1 238 

1 935 

700 

175 

594 

4 098 

7 711 

4 217 

866 

2 874 

5 444 

3 273 

665 

2 169 

1 541 

1 837 

4 711 

2 755 

8 199 

934 

195 

776 

4 207 

861 

2 317 

H
U 
IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

EU  275 526  92 716  368 241  137 703  40 438  178 141  137 823  52 278  190 100 

Data  source:  1)  Eurostat,  https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/data/database,  data  extracted  on  6  June 
2023; and 2) EU-SILC release 1 in 2023 (spring release). 

37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Part II: Equal opportunities 

2 

Adult participation in learning 

2.1  Relevance to EU policy / strategy 

Continuous education and training are regarded as essential for a high-quality labour force, 
especially  in  the  context  of  the  green  and  digital  transitions.  For  example,  continuous 
education  and  training  are  important  for  people  in  keeping  a  job  and  meeting  modern 
technology skills requirements. In addition, lifelong learning contributes to a better career, 
job promotion, gains in productivity and higher wages. 

Article 24 of the UN CRPD, which covers ‘Education’, states that, ‘States Parties recognize 
the right of persons with disabilities to education. With a view to realizing this right without 
discrimination  and  based  on  equal  opportunity,  States  Parties  shall  ensure  an  inclusive 
education system at all levels and lifelong learning’. 

On 25 September 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted a Resolution on ‘Transforming 
our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’. Goal 4 seeks to ensure access 
to  equitable  and  quality  education  through  all  stages  of  life,  as  well  as  to  increase  the 
number  of  young  people  and  adults  having  relevant  skills  for  employment.  It  seeks, 
notably, to ‘ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the 
vulnerable, including persons with disabilities’ (4.5) and to ‘build and upgrade education 
facilities  that  are  child,  disability  and  gender  sensitive  and  provide  safe,  non-violent, 
inclusive and effective learning environments for all’ (4.a). 

The European Disability Strategy17 notes that the European Skills Agenda requires national 
skills  strategies  that  should  also  cover  the  specific  needs  of  persons  with  disabilities.  It 
adds that equal access to education and labour market-oriented training at all levels has 
to be ensured. Member States are responsible for adapting education and training policies 
to  the  needs  of  persons  with  disabilities  in  a  manner  consistent  with  the  UN CRPD. 
Furthermore,  the  Strategy  reiterates  that  the  European  Council  Recommendation  on 
vocational  education  and  training  (VET)  for  sustainable  competitiveness,  social  fairness 
and  resilience  invites  Member  States  to  design  vocational  programmes  so  that  they  are 
inclusive  and  accessible  for  vulnerable  groups,  such  as  persons  with  disabilities. 
Furthermore,  it  is  recommended  that  Member  States  take  actions  to  implement  the 
relevant  policy  at  national  level,  in  collaboration  with  social  partners  and  other  relevant 
stakeholders. Additionally, they are encouraged to take the national context into account 
and establish specific national targets. 

The EPSR,18 under the broad dimension of ‘Education, training and lifelong learning’, states 
that everyone has the right to quality and inclusive education, training and lifelong learning 
in order to maintain and acquire skills that enable them to participate fully in society and 
successfully  manage  transitions  in  the  labour  market.  Furthermore,  in  the  ‘Equal 
opportunities’ field, it notes that, regardless of gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or 
belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, everyone has the right to equal treatment and 
opportunities in education. A set of indicators has been established to monitor progress in 
the application of the EPSR. 

The  Council  Resolution  on  a  new  European  agenda  for  adult  learning  2021–2030, 
concerning adult participation in learning, provided that:19 

17   European Commission (2021), Communication from the Commission – Union of Equality: Strategy for the 

Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030. 

18   European Commission, The European Pillar of Social Rights in 20 principles, 

https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/economy-works-people/jobs-growth-and-
investment/european-pillar-social-rights/european-pillar-social-rights-20-principles_en. 
19   See https://education.ec.europa.eu/education-levels/adult-learning/about-adult-learning.  

38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

- 

- 

At least 47 % of adults aged 25–64 should have participated in learning during the 
last 12 months, by 2025. 
At least 60 % of adults aged 25–64 should have participated in learning during the 
last 12 months, by 2030. 

Efforts  must  therefore  be  stepped  up  to  increase  adult  participation  in  training  and  to 
improve the levels of achievement in initial education and training.  

2.2  Assessment and analysis of main results and their evolution 

2.2.1  Definitions 

Until 2021, the adult education survey (AES) was the only source providing data for adult 
participation in learning in the last 12 months. However, as the AES takes place only every 
six  years,  variables  were  included  in  the  EU  Labour  Force  Survey  (EU-LFS)  to  collect 
biennial data (starting in 2022).20 Eurostat uses the EU Labour Force Survey (EU-LFS) for 
the  monitoring  process.  ‘Adult  learning’  covers  both  general  and  vocational  formal  and 
non-formal learning activities.21  

Eurostat  notes  that  indicators  on  ‘participation  in  education  and  training  in  the  last  12 
months’  are  considered  to  provide  a  more  appropriate  measure  of  participation  in  adult 
learning than indicators on ‘participation in education and training in the last four weeks’, 
as they present information about the share of people who were involved in education and 
training during a year. This longer period allows more activities to be captured and avoids 
seasonal effects. 

For information, the EU-SILC survey reports only persons who are ‘currently’ participating 
in a formal education programme.22 This proxy for adult participation in learning is very 
restrictive in comparison to the EU-LFS or AES surveys. 

We  must  note  that  the  two  surveys,  AES  and  LFS,  provide  different  estimations  for  a 
relatively high number of countries. For example, at EU level, for 2022, the AES shows a 
participation  rate  of  46.6 %,  compared  to  25.0 %  according  to  the  LFS.23  Following  the 
Council Resolution on a new European agenda for adult learning 2021–2030, Eurostat is in 
the  process  of  assessing  the  results  of  the  AES  and  the  LFS  and  considering  possible 
changes to the LFS methodology, or to the level of the target.  Based on this evaluation, 
the Council will decide on an adaptation of the target level. 

In the following analysis, we will focus on the LFS survey, as it includes the question on 
‘limitation  in  activities  because  of  health  problems’  (GALI)  every  two  years,  offering 
valuable data for periodic monitoring. 

20   Eurostat (2024), Information note: Participation in education and training during the last 12 months – 
differences between data available from two sources, Eurostat – Unit F.3: Labour market and lifelong 
learning, Luxembourg, 2024. See: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser-
backend/api/public/explanatory-notes/get/Info_note_TRNG_AL_20240423.pdf.  

21   European Commission (2021), The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan, available at: 

https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/economy-works-people/jobs-growth-and-
investment/european-pillar-social-rights/european-pillar-social-rights-action-plan_en. 

22   In previous reports, we used the EU-SILC survey. Furthermore, we had extended the concept by including 
those who attained the highest level of education in the previous two years (education was successfully 
completed in the last two years of the survey). 

23   See Eurostat (2024), op. cit., for an analysis of these differences.  

For LFS data, see 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/trng_lfs_17/default/table?lang=en&category=educ.educ_p
art.trng.trng_lfs_12m.trng_lfs_12m1  
and for AES data, see 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/trng_aes_100/default/table?lang=en&category=educ.educ
_part.trng.trng_aes_12m.trng_aes_12m0.  

39 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

2.2.2  Analysis by Member State 

Available LFS data cover 2022 and 2024. At the time of elaborating this report, Eurostat 
published only the participation rate in education and training (last four weeks) by level of 
disability (activity limitation) for 2024. Consequently, we will present a summary of these 
results. 

In the EU 27 in 2024, about 11.6 % of persons with disabilities aged 25–64 participated in 
education and training during the last four weeks. The equivalent rate for persons without 
disabilities was 15.1 %. The total rate was 14.2 %.  

Concerning  persons  with  disabilities,  the  lowest  rates  are  observed  in  Croatia  (2.4 %), 
Hungary (4.5 %) and Romania (4.5 %) (in ascending order), while the highest rates are 
found in Denmark (24.9 %), Finland (29.3 %) and Sweden (30.5 %). 

Figure 12: Adult participation in learning (last 4 weeks) by disability status and 
Member State, aged 25-64, 2024 

Note: The data for persons with disabilities are of low reliability in Belgium, Germany, Croatia and 
Ireland. 
Data source: 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/trng_lfs_16__custom_16431373/default/table?lan
g=en. 
Data extracted on 28 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

It is important to note that the AES survey included a question on the main reasons for 
not  participating  in  adult  learning.  Answers  to  this  question  included:  ‘Wanted  to  but 
encountered difficulties for personal reasons’; ‘Wanted to but encountered difficulties which 
were not due to personal reasons’; and ‘Did not want to’. There was no option to indicate 
‘Wanted  but  encountered  architectural  or  other  disability-related  barriers’.  This  choice 
could be included in future surveys. 

2.2.3  Disability gap in adult participation in learning 

The following figure indicates that, in the EU 27 in 2024, the absolute disability gap was 
3.5 percentage points (relative gap: 23.2 %). 

The smallest absolute gaps were observed in Lithuania, Ireland and Italy, while the largest 
gaps were found in Denmark, the Netherlands and Slovenia. 

40 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

If  we  consider  the  relative  gaps,  the  smallest  absolute  gaps  could  be  found  in  Finland 
(11.5 %),  Ireland  (17.7 %)  and  Lithuania  (21.0 %).  The  largest  gaps  were  found  in 
Czechia (55.3 %), Hungary (65.1 %) and Croatia (66.2 %). 

Figure 13: Disability gap in adult participation in learning (last 4 weeks) by 
Member State, age 25-64, 2024 
Absolute gap = % Persons without disabilities – % Persons with disabilities 

Note: Data for Bulgaria and Greece are not available. 
Data source: 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/trng_lfs_16__custom_16431373/default/table?lan
g=en. 
Data extracted on 28 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

2.2.4  Adult participation in learning by gender 

The following figure indicates that, in the EU 27 in the 25–64 age group, about 13.3 % of 
women with disabilities declared that they had participated in an education programme, 
compared to 9.6 % of men with disabilities. In the majority of Member States for which 
data are available, the rate for women with disabilities was higher than that for men with 
disabilities. 

Figure 14: Adult participation in learning (last 12 months) of persons with 
disabilities by gender and Member State, age 25-64, 2024 

Note: The data for persons with disabilities ought to be treated with caution due to low reliability in 
several Member States. 

41 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Data source: 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/trng_lfs_16__custom_16431373/default/table?lan
g=en. 
Data extracted on 28 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

2.2.5  Adult participation in learning by degree of disability 

Due to the low reliability of data for persons with severe disabilities at country level, we 
present only the overall rates for the EU 27. In the EU 27, the rate of persons aged 25–64 
who declared that they had participated in an education programme during the last 4 weeks 
decreases as the degree of disability increases. The rate was 15.1 % for persons without 
disabilities,  13.7 %  for  persons  with  moderate  disabilities  and  6.3 %  for  persons  with 
severe disabilities. 

2.2.6  Evolution of adult participation in learning by Member State 

As  noted,  in  the  EU 27  in  2024,  about  11.6 %  of  persons  with  disabilities  aged  25-64 
participated in education and training during the last  four weeks. For comparison, in the 
EU 27 in 2022, this rate was about 9.8 %. 

In  the  following  figure,  we  may  observe  an  increase  in  adult  participation  in  learning  in 
most Member States of persons with disabilities. At EU 27 level, there was an increase of 
1.8 percentage points, representing an increase of 18.4 %. 

Figure 15: Evolution of adult participation in learning (last 4 weeks) of persons 
with disabilities by Member State, aged 25-64 

Data source: 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/trng_lfs_16__custom_16431373/default/table?lan
g=en 
Data extracted on 28 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

42 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

2.3  Statistical tables 

Table 16: Adult participation in learning (last 4 weeks) by disability status and 
gender, age 25-64, 2024 

Persons 
with 
disabilities 
14.1 

Persons 
without 
disabilities 
22.0 

14.2 

5.4 

6.3 

7.7 

24.9 

18.3 

11.3 

29.3 

12.2 

2.4 

4.5 

14.9 

5.3 

7.9 

14.1 

9.9 

12.3 

20.1 

5.2 

10.4 

4.5 

30.5 

11.3 

6.6 

21.6 

2.2 

11.8 

14.1 

11.8 

33.5 

24.5 

6.3 

18.1 

33.1 

18.6 

7.1 

12.9 

18.1 

8.7 

10.0 

18.6 

16.8 

19.8 

28.8 

10.4 

17.1 

9.3 

39.0 

24.6 

13.8 

Total 

20.4 

20.3 

2.2 

11.2 

13.4 

10.0 

31.2 

23.3 

6.2 

17.2 

31.4 

17.3 

6.6 

12.3 

17.7 

8.5 

9.8 

17.7 

15.5 

19.2 

26.3 

10.0 

16.1 

8.9 

37.5 

23.1 

12.8 

Disability 
gap 
in pp. 
7.9 

Women 
with 
disabilities 
15.2 

7.4 

6.4 

7.8 

4.1 

8.6 

6.2 

6.8 

3.8 

6.4 

4.7 

8.4 

3.2 

3.4 

2.1 

4.5 

6.9 

7.5 

8.7 

5.2 

6.7 

4.8 

8.5 

13.3 

7.2 

16.3 

6.2 

6.3 

8.6 

29.0 

23.9 

12.0 

33.4 

14.4 

3.7 

4.1 

17.2 

6.1 

10.9 

15.8 

12.6 

11.2 

21.1 

6.5 

10.8 

3.6 

34.4 

13.2 

6.2 

Men with 
disabilities 

12.9 

11.4 

4.6 

6.2 

6.7 

19.5 

12.4 

10.5 

24.3 

9.1 

1.3 

4.9 

12.2 

4.6 

5.3 

11.8 

7.1 

13.1 

18.7 

4.0 

9.7 

5.5 

25.5 

9.4 

6.9 

11.6 

15.1 

14.2 

3.5 

13.3 

9.6 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

EU 

Note: The data for persons with disabilities ought to be treated with caution due to low reliability in 
several Member States. 
Data source: 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/trng_lfs_16__custom_16431373/default/table?lan
g=en. 
Data extracted on 28 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

43 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 17: Adult participation in learning (last 4 weeks) by disability status and 
gender, age 25-64, 2022 

Persons 
with 
disabilities 
12.2 

Persons 
without 
disabilities 
19.6 

8.3 

: 

5.6 

7.0 

5.4 

22.4 

14.5 

2.9 

10.8 

26.4 

11.1 

1.2 

2.9 

8.8 

5.3 

7.1 

16.7 

8.7 

11.2 

20.4 

3.5 

9.4 

2.6 

28.9 

12.0 

6.1 

12.7 

1.9 

11.0 

10.9 

9.2 

30.0 

22.7 

4.6 

16.9 

27.6 

16.6 

5.4 

8.7 

13.5 

10.1 

8.8 

23.8 

13.2 

15.1 

29.1 

8.2 

16.3 

5.7 

37.7 

23.6 

14.0 

Total 

18.1 

12.0 

1.9 

10.5 

10.5 

7.9 

27.9 

21.1 

4.5 

16.1 

26.7 

15.5 

4.9 

8.3 

12.7 

9.6 

8.5 

22.2 

12.4 

14.7 

26.7 

7.8 

15.1 

5.4 

36.2 

22.3 

12.8 

Disability 
gap 
in pp. 
7.4 

Women 
with 
disabilities 
14.3 

4.4 

: 

5.4 

3.9 

3.8 

7.6 

8.2 

1.7 

6.1 

1.2 

5.5 

4.2 

5.8 

4.7 

4.8 

1.7 

7.1 

4.5 

3.9 

8.7 

4.7 

6.9 

3.1 

8.8 

11.6 

7.9 

10.0 

: 

6.9 

6.7 

6.0 

25.4 

17.4 

: 

12.6 

30.3 

12.9 

1.2 

3.3 

9.5 

6.2 

9.0 

18.7 

12.2 

11.9 

21.9 

4.2 

8.9 

1.7 

32.9 

13.6 

7.5 

Men with 
disabilities 

10.2 

6.4 

: 

4.3 

7.2 

4.7 

18.5 

11.2 

: 

8.7 

21.7 

8.9 

1.2 

2.5 

8.0 

4.3 

5.2 

14.6 

: 

10.7 

18.5 

2.8 

10.0 

3.6 

23.5 

10.4 

4.8 

9.8 

13.3 

12.5 

3.5 

11.4 

8.1 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

EU 

Note: The data for persons with disabilities ought to be treated with caution due to low reliability in 
several Member States. 
Data source: 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/trng_lfs_16__custom_16431373/default/table?lan
g=en. 
Data extracted on 28 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

44 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 18: Adult participation in learning (last 12 months) by disability status 
and gender, age 25-64, 2022 
Persons 
with 
disabilities 
23.2 

Women 
with 
disabilities 
23.9 

Persons 
without 
disabilities 
36.6 

Disability 
gap 
in pp. 
13.4 

Men with 
disabilities 

Total 

33.8 

22.5 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

EU 

14.9 

: 

10.7 

19.4 

12.5 

39.8 

37.5 

3.0 

18.4 

40.0 

26.5 

2.7 

7.0 

16.8 

13.0 

12.9 

26.3 

15.5 

22.2 

34.3 

7.1 

19.8 

4.0 

48.0 

18.5 

26.7 

22.8 

3.0 

27.0 

24.6 

19.9 

52.8 

55.9 

5.7 

29.0 

45.7 

38.6 

9.8 

24.5 

25.1 

22.1 

20.5 

36.1 

21.8 

45.4 

49.8 

16.1 

34.4 

10.2 

61.1 

38.4 

47.2 

21.5 

2.9 

25.3 

24.0 

17.0 

49.1 

52.3 

5.6 

27.6 

43.9 

36.3 

8.9 

23.1 

23.4 

21.3 

19.5 

33.9 

20.7 

43.1 

45.4 

15.3 

31.9 

9.6 

58.7 

36.2 

44.1 

7.9 

: 

16.3 

5.2 

7.4 

13.0 

18.4 

2.7 

10.6 

5.7 

12.1 

7.1 

17.5 

8.3 

9.1 

7.6 

9.8 

6.3 

23.2 

15.5 

9.0 

14.6 

6.2 

13.1 

19.9 

20.5 

16.8 

: 

12.4 

18.2 

13.7 

43.4 

43.4 

: 

20.6 

44.8 

28.7 

3.5 

8.7 

17.3 

13.4 

16.7 

28.8 

20.8 

26.3 

34.8 

8.0 

19.1 

3.1 

52.3 

20.3 

27.3 

12.8 

: 

8.9 

20.7 

11.4 

35.0 

30.9 

: 

15.7 

34.1 

23.7 

2.0 

5.1 

16.2 

12.7 

9.4 

23.6 

9.6 

19.2 

33.7 

6.2 

20.6 

5.1 

42.3 

16.6 

26.0 

19.8 

26.7 

25.0 

6.9 

21.7 

17.7 

Note: The data for persons with disabilities ought to be treated with caution due to low reliability in 
certain Member States (BG, EL, HR, LV, SI for men and BG, EL and HR for women). 
Data source: 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/trng_lfs_24__custom_15672626/default/tabl
e?lang=en.  
Data extracted on 17 March 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

3 

Early leavers from education and training 

3.1  Relevance to EU policy / strategy 

On 25 September 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted a Resolution on ‘Transforming 
our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’. The Declaration stipulates that 
people  who  are  vulnerable  must  be  empowered.  Those  whose  needs  are  taken  into 
consideration  in  the  Agenda  include,  notably,  persons  with  disabilities.  Goal  4  aims  to 
ensure  inclusive  and  equitable  quality  education  and  to  promote  lifelong  learning 
opportunities for all. 

On  30 September  2020,  the  Commission  adopted  two  initiatives  to  strengthen  the 
contribution  of  education  and  training  to  the  EU’s  recovery  from  the  coronavirus  crisis, 
aimed  at  achieving  a  European  Education  Area  by  2025  and  resetting  education  and 
training for the digital age.24 The Communication on the European Education Area clearly 
states that ‘Education systems at all levels should comply with the UN Convention on the 
Rights of Persons with Disabilities’. 

This includes two initiatives:  

1. 

2. 

The  Communication  outlines  how  cooperation  can  further  enrich  the  quality, 
inclusiveness, and digital and green dimension of Member States’ education systems; 
and 
The  Digital  Education  Action  Plan  (2021–2027)  proposes  a  set  of  initiatives  for 
high‑quality, inclusive and accessible digital education in Europe. 

The  EU  Strategy  for  the  Rights  of  Persons  with  Disabilities  2021–2030,  in  addressing 
inclusive and accessible education, notes that more young persons with disabilities leave 
school  early  and  fewer  learners  with  disabilities  complete  a  university  degree. 25 
Furthermore, it adds that ‘monitoring the progress in Member States will rely on improved 
statistical data collection on the situation of persons with disabilities’. 

In addition, the Commission, in its guidance to Member States on recovery and resilience 
plans, notes that these plans should identify relevant indicators to monitor the reduction 
of disparities. The indicators could include, notably, education and training.26 

The revised Social Scoreboard27 presents a set of headline and secondary indicators. In the 
‘Equal opportunities’ field, ‘Early leavers from education and training’ constitutes a headline 
indicator.  

The EU-level target stipulates that the share of early leavers from education and training 
should be less than 9 % by 2030. This indicator covers the population of those aged 18–
24 with, at most, a lower secondary education level and who are not in further education 
or training. 

24   See https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_1743. 
25   European Commission (2021), Communication from the Commission – Union of Equality: Strategy for the 

Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030. 

26   European Commission (2021), Commission Staff Working Document – Guidance to Member States: 

Recovery and Resilience Plans, SWD(2021) 12 final, Part 1/2, 
https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-5538-2021-INIT/en/pdf. 

27   European Commission (2021), The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan, available at: 

https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/economy-works-people/jobs-growth-and-
investment/european-pillar-social-rights/european-pillar-social-rights-action-plan_en. 

46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

3.2  Assessment and analysis of main results and their evolution 

3.2.1   Definitions 

Eurostat28 and the Member States use the LFS survey to monitor the percentage of early 
school leavers. The LFS survey included the GALI indicator in its 2022 run and will include 
it every two years. 

The  classification  of  early  school  leavers  refers  to  ISCED  2011  levels.  It  includes  the 
following ISCED 2011 levels:29 

- 
- 
- 

less than primary education (ISCED 0); 
primary education (ISCED 1); 
lower secondary education (ISCED 2).  

As the LFS survey provides information on persons with and without disabilities every two 
years (2022, 2024, etc.), we use the EU-SILC 2023 data in the following analysis. 

3.2.2  General comments 

According to human capital theory, high educational achievements increase knowledge and 
skills. This, in turn, improves the chances of finding a job. In addition, higher educational 
levels favour higher productivity and thus higher earnings.  

Early school leavers may lack the minimum prerequisites that would enable them to meet 
market  needs  and  the  requirements  of  changing  technology  skills.  Consequently,  the 
proportion  of  early  school  leavers  is  a  good  indicator  of  expected  success  for  young 
jobseekers in the labour market.  

At EU 27 level in 2023, about 19.1 % of young persons with disabilities aged 18–24 were 
early  school  leavers,  compared  to  9.3 %  for  young  persons  without  disabilities.  The  EU 
total average rate was 10.1 %, against a target of less than 9 % for the EU in 2030. 

In  2023,  early  school  leavers  with  disabilities  aged  18–24  who  were  living  in  private 
households represented about 0.5 million persons, out of approximately 2.7 million young 
persons with disabilities aged 18–24 living in private households. These estimations aim to 
establish an order of magnitude, and comparisons between years ought to be treated with 
caution. 

Table 19: Early school leavers aged 18-24, EU, 2023 
The data give an order of magnitude and comparisons with previous years ought to be done with 
caution. 

Not early school 
leavers 

Early school 
leavers 

In millions (1 000 000) 

Persons without disabilities 

Persons with disabilities 

Total 

25.9 

2.2 

28.1 

2.6 

0.5 

3.2 

Total 

28.6 

2.7 

31.2 

28   See Eurostat https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/metadata/en/sdg_04_10_esmsip2.htm. 
29   United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), International Standard 

Classification of Education – ISCED 2011, see 
https://uis.unesco.org/sites/default/files/documents/international-standard-classification-of-education-
isced-2011-en.pdf. 

47 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Not early school 
leavers 

Early school 
leavers 
In percentages (%) 

Total 

100.0 

100.0 

9.3 

19.1 

10.1 

100.0 

Persons without disabilities 

Persons with disabilities 

Total 

90.7 

80.9 

89.9 

Note: The sample is relatively small in several countries.  
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

In nine countries, the number of observations of persons with disabilities aged 18 to 24 in 
the  sample,  for  which  the  relevant  information  was  available,  was  fewer  than  50.30  As 
outlined in previous annual reports, the confidence intervals are wide, and any conclusion 
for persons with disabilities aged 18–24 based on annual averages might lead to erroneous 
conclusions. For this reason, the following graph presents the average value  for the last 
two years.  

In the EU 27, the percentage of early school leavers was 19.2 % in 2022 and 19.1 % in 
2023,  giving  an  arithmetic  mean  (or  arithmetic  average)  for  2022–2023  of  19.2 % 
(rounded to 19 %; see following figure). Regarding the national means for the past two 
years,  the  lowest  rates  are  observed  in  Slovenia,  Greece  and  Poland,  while  the  highest 
rates are found in Italy, Romania, and Hungary (in ascending order).  

Figure 16: Share of early school leavers by disability status, aged 18-24 
The annual data for young persons with disabilities are indicative. 

Note: Detailed annual data are presented in the Statistical Annex. The arithmetic mean (or mean) is 
the sum of the two years divided by the number of years.  
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

Administrative data on school enrolment of persons with disabilities indicate that a sharp 
decrease in pupils with special educational needs takes place between the lower secondary 
education  level  and  the  upper  secondary  education  level.31  This  might  be  the  relevant 
education level for policy intervention. 

30   These Member States included Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Romania 

and Slovenia. 

31   Grammenos, S., 2024, ‘Comparability of statistical data on persons with disabilities across the EU’, 

publication for the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, Policy Department for Economic, Scientific 
and Quality of Life Policies, European Parliament, Luxembourg.  

48 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

The high rates of early school leavers among young persons with disabilities might indicate 
problems  relating to accessibility and an absence  of adapted programmes, among other 
reasons. Physical and architectural barriers might present major obstacles, in addition to 
a lack of relevant educational programmes. 

3.2.3  Disability gap in early school leaving 

The  disadvantage  of  young  persons  with  disabilities  compared  to  their  peers  without 
disabilities can be assessed by examining the difference in  the respective proportions of 
early school leavers. For 2023, we observe a disability gap of 9.8 percentage points. 

As noted, the estimates for the 18–24 age group are not statistically robust, due to a small 
sample  size  in  several  Member  States.  To  minimise  these  problems,  we  present  the 
average gap for the years 2022–2023.  

At EU 27 level in 2022–2023, the gap between persons with and without disabilities was 
about 10.2 percentage points. The gap between young persons with and without disabilities 
was small in Denmark, Slovakia and Austria, while the gap was relatively high in Cyprus, 
Lithuania and Hungary, in ascending order. 

Figure 17: Disadvantage (in early school leaving) of young persons with 
disabilities, aged 18-24, average 2022-2023 
Disability gap = Percentage of persons with disabilities – Percentage of persons without disabilities 
(see previous figure for the original data). 

Note: The average (or mean) is for 2022–2023. Disability gap: as indicated in the text, due to the 
small size of certain national samples, the standard errors (variability) of the means are relatively 
high. To attenuate this problem, we first took the arithmetic mean of 2022–2023 for persons with 
and without disabilities and then estimated the gap. 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

3.2.4   Early school leavers by gender 

The  following  table  indicates  that  at  EU 27  level  in  2023,  the  proportion  of  early  school 
leavers  among  young  women  with  disabilities  was  13.7 %,  compared  to  25.3 %  among 
young men with disabilities. 

49 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 20: Share of early school leavers by disability status and gender, aged 18-
24, EU, 2023 
Early school leavers aged 18-24, as a percentage of all persons of the same sex, age and disability 
status 

Persons with disabilities 

Persons without disabilities 

No 

74.7 

86.3 

Early school 
leavers 
25.3 

13.7 

Total 

No 

100 

100 

89.1 

92.5 

Men 

Women 

Total 

80.9 

19.1 

100 

90.7 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

3.2.5  Early school leavers by degree 

Early school 
leavers 
10.9 

7.5 

9.3 

Total 

100 

100 

100 

The degree of disability is a crucial factor. The rate of early school leavers is 36.2 % for 
young persons with severe disabilities aged 18–24, compared to 14.4 % for young persons 
with moderate disabilities and 9.3 % for persons without disabilities. 

3.2.6  Evolution by Member State 

As indicated above, the annual data for persons with disabilities are not statistically robust. 
The  problem  becomes  more  serious  if  we  compare  two  consecutive  years.  The  annual 
changes are very volatile. For this reason, we have aggregated two years and we compared 
the means. 

In the figure on the following page, we compare 2019–2020 with 2022–2023. We avoid 
including in our comparison the years influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Keeping in 
mind the above reservations, the following figure presents the evolution by Member State. 

In the EU 27, the rate of early school leavers among young persons with disabilities aged 
18–24 decreased from 21.9 % (2019–2020) to 19.2 % (2022–2023). We note a reduction 
of 2.8 percentage points at EU level.32 Similarly, 16 Member States experienced a reduction 
between  2019–2020  and  2022–2023.  Again,  these  rates  indicate  a  tendency  and  the 
magnitude is indicative. 

32   The data are rounded to the first decimal. In the figure, the numbers are rounded to the nearest one. 

50 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 18: Evolution of the share of early school leavers among persons with 
disabilities, aged 18-24, EU 
Indicative data. 

Note: See explanations in the text. The data in Germany might have been affected  by changes in 
the methodology in 2020–2021. 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

3.2.7  Evolution at the EU level 

A persistently high level of early school leavers means that these persons enter the labour 
market without  sufficient skills. This constitutes an important barrier  to their integration 
into  the  labour  market  and  their  capacity  to  adapt  to  technological  change.  This 
disadvantage is notably high for young early school levers with disabilities. 

For  young  persons  without  disabilities,  a  long-term  downward  trend  may  be  observed, 
bearing  in  mind  that  the  years  2013–2014  are  not  comparable,  due  to  a  change  in  the 
definitions used for education levels. 

The  evolution  for  persons  with  disabilities  is  more  erratic,  due  to  small  sample  sizes; 
however, one may observe a declining trend with some fluctuations. This may be due to 
sampling errors and changing definitions.  There was a discontinuity of series in 2015 in 
Germany and in 2016 in Italy (and  in 2017 in the United Kingdom). These countries have 
an  important  weighting  in  the  EU  aggregate.  In  addition,  a  change  in  methodology  was 
adopted in all EU social surveys in 2021 and the COVID-19 pandemic affected the collection 
process  in  2020  and  2021.  Furthermore,  the  survey  methodology  changed  in  2020  in 
Germany and in 2021 a new methodology was adopted for EU-SILC in all Member States. 

Keeping in mind the above reservations, we may note that, despite declining trends in 
the percentage of early school leavers for both groups, the disability gap remains stable 
and high. 

51 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 19: Evolution of the shares of early school leavers, EU, aged 18-24 
Solid lines cover EU 28 and dotted lines cover EU 27. 

Note:  Break  in  time  series  due  to  a  new  classification  since  2014.  Change  in  the  definition  of 
‘disability’  in  Germany  and  Italy  in  2015  and  2016.  In  2021,  all  EU  social  surveys  adopted  new 
rules.COVID-19 might have affected the collection process. 
Data source: EU-SILC UDB. 

3.2.8  Policy issues 

The new EU initiatives (European Education Area by 2025) stress the need to enrich the 
quality,  inclusiveness  and  digital  dimension  of  Member  States’  education  systems. 
However,  young  persons  from  disadvantaged  backgrounds  may  face  barriers  (notably, 
accessibility  of  programmes,  lack  of  technical  equipment,  low  preparatory  digital  skills) 
that  may  preclude  them  from  participating  in  these  new  educational  programmes.  This 
means that the new programmes ought to provide the necessary adaptations and technical 
aids to persons with disabilities to make them accessible to this group of young people. 

For example, if we consider persons in the EU using the internet for learning activities33 by 
level of disability (activity limitation) in 2024, we find that: 

- 
- 
- 

51.3 % of persons aged 16 to 24 with severe disabilities use the internet; 
66.8 % of persons 16 to 24 with moderate disabilities use the internet; and 
61.9 % of persons aged 16 to 24 without disabilities use the internet. 

33   Eurostat notes that it includes ‘internet use for: doing an online course (of any subject), using online 

learning material, communicating with instructors or students using educational websites/portals. Data refer 
to the last 3 months before the survey’. The data source is the EU survey on the use of Information and 
Communication Technologies (ICT) in households and by individuals. See 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/dsb_ictiu03__custom_15706116/default/table?lang=en.  

52 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

The  presence  of  disabilities  may  create  more  needs  to  interact  and  communicate  with 
instructors  and  this  might  explain  the  high  rate  of  persons  with  moderate  disabilities. 
Mobility  difficulties  could  also  push  these  persons  to  use  this  channel  for  interaction. 
However, persons with severe disabilities report a lower rate, which may be due to barriers 
or insufficient skills. 

As noted, high educational achievements increase the chances of finding a job, while early 
school  leavers  enter  the  labour  market  without  sufficient  skills.  The  following  figure 
indicates  that  persons  who  are  early  school  leavers  have  significantly  fewer  chances  of 
being employed. This holds true both for persons with and without disabilities. 

Figure 20: Employment rate by disability status and whether they are early 
school leavers (SL) or not, persons aged 20-64, EU 

Note:  The  employment  rate  refers  to  persons  employed  in  the  total  population  of  the  same  age 
group. 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

3.3  Statistical tables 

Table 21: Share of early school leavers by disability status and Member State, 
aged 18-24 
Percentage of the population aged 18–24 with ‘at most’ lower secondary education and not in further 
education or training.  
Due to the limited number of observations, estimates for persons with disabilities are indicative. 
Mean disability 
gap, 2022-2023 
Disability gap in pp. 

2022 

Total 

Total 

2023 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

No 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

12.4 

10.2 

(a) 

(13.4) 

18.4 

26.1 

10.3 

24.7 

(10.3) 

20.0 

16.8 

6.6 

5.2 

7.2 

6.1 

16.6 

16.8 

2.7 

8.0 

9.8 

5.1 

7.2 

2.9 

10.9 

3.6 

3.3 

8.8 

12.4 

6.8 

9.3 

3.0 

11.9 

6.9 

13.4 

14.9 

(12.8) 

(36.8) 

18.4 

25.8 

10.2 

14.6 

(9.7) 

19.6 

8.8 

7.0 

5.9 

7.9 

6.7 

16.2 

16.1 

3.3 

5.1 

4.4 

5.9 

12.1 

13.2 

8.7 

6.9 

3.2 

11.3 

3.8 

9.1 

8.0 

3.4 

12.1 

5.0 

6.1 

7.0 

7.6 

22.1 

11.9 

15.0 

3.3 

12.6 

7.0 

8.7 

9.1 

53 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 
SK 

21.3 

23.1 

(47.2) 

11.7 

36.3 

(26.1) 

24.4 

(22.0) 

(31.8) 

11.0 

9.5 

21.4 

6.0 

1.9 

11.0 

3.1 

15.3 

3.0 

3.8 

6.8 

7.5 

3.0 

12.4 

4.0 

16.5 

5.2 

5.8 

7.9 

11.1 

11.7 

3.1 

3.6 

5.9 

6.3 

3.9 

7.5 

24.4 

13.9 

(49.0) 

27.5 

16.9 

(25.3) 

(18.0) 

16.0 

(a) 

10.6 

10.6 

18.2 

8.8 

2.1 

12.3 

3.9 

12.3 

3.3 

1.1 

9.2 

13.4 

4.6 

2.6 

7.6 

10.2 

2.5 

13.7 

6.4 

12.5 

5.7 

1.6 

10.1 

13.7 

5.4 

3.2 

8.8 

(38.9) 

14.0 

14.6 

(26.6) 

14.2 

14.6 

10.5 

(1.9) 
14.4 

7.4 

2.1 
8.1 

8.8 

3.6 
8.4 

16.9 

(17.6) 
7.9 

5.2 

5.1 
7.4 

7.4 

5.7 
7.5 

15.5 

16.5 

36.4 

16.1 

12.8 

22.6 

18.7 

11.0 

13.7 

7.0 

6.9 

13.1 

18.7 

7.4 

6.1 
3.4 

EU 

19.2 

8.6 

10.2 

19.1 

9.3 

10.1 

10.2 

Notes: Data in ‘()’: number of observations in the sample between 20 and 49; ‘a’: fewer than 20 
observations. 
Mean disability gap 2022–2023: As indicated above, we first took the arithmetic mean of 2022–2023 
for persons with and without disabilities and then estimated the gap. 
Data source: EU-SILC UDB (different years). 

Table 22: Share of early school leavers by disability status and Member State, 
aged 18-24 
Percentage of the population aged 18–24 with ‘at most’ lower secondary education and not in further 
education or training.  
Due to the limited number of observations, estimates for persons with disabilities are indicative. 
Mean disability 
gap, 2021-2022 
Disability gap in pp. 

2021 

Total 

Total 

2022 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

No 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

19.1 

17.3 

(6.9) 

(24.6) 

9.9 

19.0 

8.9 

15.6 

(3.9) 

17.5 

19.2 

17.9 

16.4 

(15.2) 

13.5 

18.4 

(25.4) 

1.6 

7.0 

4.9 

8.2 

6.0 

18.1 

17.6 

3.5 

6.6 

4.6 

6.8 

10.2 

10.8 

6.3 

7.8 

3.6 

6.9 

9.0 

3.6 

13.6 

14.0 

3.7 

5.8 

1.7 

13.5 

2.2 

15.6 

4.4 

2.5 

6.1 

6.5 

2.4 

13.6 

3.3 

15.7 

5.9 

2.4 

12.4 

10.2 

(a) 

(13.4) 

18.4 

26.1 

10.3 

24.7 

(10.3) 

20.0 

16.8 

21.3 

23.1 

(47.2) 

11.7 

36.3 

(26.1) 

24.4 

6.6 

5.2 

7.2 

6.1 

16.6 

16.8 

2.7 

8.0 

9.8 

5.1 

7.2 

2.9 

3.3 

8.8 

12.4 

6.8 

9.3 

3.0 

10.9 

11.9 

3.6 

6.0 

1.9 

11.0 

3.1 

15.3 

3.0 

3.8 

6.9 

7.5 

3.0 

12.4 

4.0 

16.5 

5.2 

5.8 

54 

8.9 

8.7 

3.6 

15.9 

6.9 

12.6 

3.9 

12.6 

3.9 

6.5 

14.3 

13.7 

18.0 

18.9 

10.0 

11.9 

22.1 

9.9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 
SK 

10.4 

(34.3) 

7.5 

9.4 

20.0 

(39.0) 

22.4 

(2.9) 
22.2 

7.3 

17.6 

3.9 

3.5 

7.3 

11.7 

15.6 

3.8 
8.4 

7.6 

18.6 

4.4 

3.8 

8.8 

12.9 

16.4 

3.8 
9.4 

(22.0) 

(31.8) 

11.0 

9.5 

21.4 

6.8 

11.1 

3.1 

3.6 

5.9 

7.9 

11.7 

6.3 

3.9 

7.5 

(38.9) 

14.0 

14.6 

10.5 

(1.9) 
14.4 

7.4 

2.1 
8.1 

8.8 

3.6 
8.4 

9.2 

18.7 

5.7 

5.9 

14.1 

26.1 

5.0 

-0.6 
10.1 

EU 

16.4 

9.1 

9.7 

19.2 

8.6 

10.2 

8.9 

Notes: Data in ‘()’: number of observations in the sample between 20 and 49; ‘a’: fewer than 20 
observations. Data for Slovakia in 2021 refer to 2020. 
Mean disability gap 2021–2022: As indicated above, we first took the arithmetic mean of 2021–2022 
for persons with and without disabilities and then estimated the gap. 
Data source: EU-SILC UDB (different years). 

Table 23: Share of early school leavers by disability status and Member State, 
aged 18-24 
Percentage of the population aged 18–24 with ‘at most’ lower secondary education and not in further 
education or training.  
Due to the limited number of observations, estimates for persons with disabilities are indicative. 
Mean disability 
gap, 2019-2020 
Disability gap in pp. 

2019 

Total 

2020 

Total 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

No 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

15.4 

13.7 

8.1 

7.7 

9.0 

8.3 

(16.3) 

19.0 

18.9 

8.0 

(8.2) 

30.0 

18.0 

20.3 

(7.8) 

32.4 

20.3 

19.2 

18.4 

17.1 

(28.3) 

27.0 

15.9 

17.0 

16.6 

a 

15.4 

10.5 

23.2 

41.4 

(6.5) 

7.1 

7.6 

5.7 

6.4 

7.3 

2.9 

7.1 

7.7 

7.4 

8.9 

9.5 

3.0 

15.1 

15.7 

4.6 

8.0 

2.8 

11.5 

3.2 

19.9 

3.3 

11.0 

7.8 

20.0 

4.4 

4.2 

11.1 

11.3 

7.4 

8.5 

8.9 

3.7 

11.7 

5.2 

20.2 

4.6 

11.7 

8.8 

20.6 

5.9 

4.5 

12.3 

13.0 

7.3 

19.1 

21.6 

(38.2) 

(25.1) 

(1.9) 

37.8 

18.2 

26.0 

(8.2) 

24.0 

12.8 

28.0 

19.3 

(40.4) 

15.6 

19.8 

(10.2) 

12.7 

29.1 

(28.3) 

14.0 

16.2 

22.1 

28.9 

(11.1) 

8.2 

7.0 

9.6 

8.3 

17.6 

18.2 

5.4 

6.5 

9.2 

5.0 

6.2 

2.7 

6.4 

6.2 

11.1 

8.1 

8.8 

2.9 

13.9 

14.5 

7.6 

8.0 

4.2 

12.7 

2.7 

22.0 

4.4 

11.4 

9.5 

20.0 

6.3 

3.4 

9.7 

14.3 

15.3 

6.0 

6.3 

3.3 

11.3 

1.0 

22.1 

4.0 

11.3 

7.7 

19.7 

5.1 

2.6 

8.5 

13.5 

15.6 

55 

9.1 

10.3 

9.0 

10.3 

-2.0 

26.4 

12.3 

16.4 

5.2 

13.7 

11.2 

16.4 

15.8 

17.4 

19.8 

2.4 

9.4 

3.7 

15.1 

16.5 

9.9 

9.9 

12.8 

22.7 

-2.7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

SI 
SK 

5.7 
18.3 

2.0 
9.5 

2.3 
10.1 

(3.6) 
22.2 

2.0 
8.4 

2.1 
9.4 

2.6 
11.3 

EU 

21.8 

9.7 

10.6 

22.1 

10.4 

11.2 

11.9 

Notes: Data in ‘()’: number of observations in the sample between 20 and 49; ‘a’: fewer than 20 
observations. Data for Slovakia in 2021 refer to 2020. 
Mean disability gap 2019-2020: As indicated above, we first took the arithmetic mean of 2019–2020 
for persons with and without disabilities and then estimated the gap. 
Data source: EU-SILC UDB (different years). 

Table 24: Evolution of the shares of early school leavers, EU, aged 18-24 

Persons 
with 
disabilities 
23.4 

EU 28 
Persons 
without 
disabilities 
13.2 

24.0 

25.1 

23.0 

21.6 

18.9 

21.8 

21.5 

22.5 

22.0 

23.6 

19.6 

19.9 

12.7 

12.2 

12.3 

12.0 

11.0 

10.3 

9.4 

11.2 

11.7 

11.0 

9.5 

9.9 

Total 

13.9 

13.4 

13.2 

13.1 

12.7 

11.6 

11.2 

10.4 

12.2 

12.5 

12.0 

10.3 

10.7 

2006 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

2014 

2015 

2016 

2017 

2018 

2019 

2020 

2021 

2022 

2023 

Data source: EU-SILC UDB (different years). 

Persons 
with 
disabilities 

EU 27 
Persons 
without 
disabilities 

Total 

21.8 

20.3 

21.8 

22.1 

16.4 
19.2 

19.1 

9.8 

9.8 

9.7 

10.4 

9.1 
8.6 

9.3 

10.7 

10.6 

10.6 

11.2 

9.7 
10.2 

10.1 

56 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

4 

Young people neither in employment nor in education and training (NEET)  

4.1  Relevance to EU policy / strategy 

Young people neither in employment nor in education and training (NEET) are among the 
most vulnerable groups in the labour market. Over the long term, they may fail to adapt 
to new skills requirements, and they can suffer from an erosion of competence, which may, 
in turn, lead to a higher risk of labour market and social exclusion. 

The  UN  General  Assembly  Resolution  on  ‘Transforming  our  world:  the  2030  Agenda  for 
Sustainable Development’ stipulates that people who are vulnerable must be empowered. 
SDG  8  draws  particular  attention  to  creating  opportunities  for  youth  who  are  not  in 
education, employment or training, to prevent future erosion of skills and discouragement 
in seeking work.  

The ‘Young people neither in employment nor in education and training’ indicator is part of 
the  EU  Sustainable  Development  Goals  indicator  set.  Eurostat  notes  that  it  serves  to 
monitor  progress  towards  SDG  8  on  decent  work  and  economic  growth,  and  SDG  4  on 
ensuring inclusive and quality education for all. 

The Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030,34 under the heading 
‘Developing new skills for new jobs’, notes that, ‘Having the right skills and qualifications 
is a prerequisite for accessing and succeeding in the labour market. As set in the European 
Skills  Agenda,  this  requires  national  skills  strategies  that  should  also  cover  the  specific 
needs of persons with disabilities. Equal access to education and labour-market oriented 
training at all levels has to be ensured’. 

The revised Social Scoreboard35 presents a set of headline and secondary indicators. In the 
‘Equal  opportunities’  field,  ‘Young  people  neither  in  employment  nor  in  education  and 
training (NEET)’ constitutes a headline indicator.  

The EPSR Action Plan proposes to oversee a decrease in the rate of young people neither 
in  employment  nor  in  education  and  training  aged  15  to  29  to  9 %  by  2030.36  Eurostat 
uses the LFS survey to monitor achievements, but the LFS includes GALI only every two 
years (2022, 2024, etc.). 

4.2  Assessment and analysis of main results and their evolution 

4.2.1  General comments 

In  the  EU 27  in  2023,  the  rate  of  all  young  people  aged  16–29  who  were  neither  in 
employment  nor  in  education  and  training  was  13.8 %.  For  comparison,  the  LFS-based 
estimate for the 15–29 age group was 11.2 %.37 The EU-SILC survey covers persons aged 
16 to 29.  

In  the  EU 27  in  2023,  about  27.8 %  of  young  people  with  disabilities  aged  16–29  were 
neither  in  employment  nor  in  education  and  training.  This  rate  was  12.3 %  for  young 
persons without disabilities in the same age group. 

34   European Commission (2021), Communication from the Commission – Union of Equality: Strategy for the 

Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030, p. 12. 

35   European Commission (2021), The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan, available at: 

https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/economy-works-people/jobs-growth-and-
investment/european-pillar-social-rights/european-pillar-social-rights-action-plan_en. 

36 See Eurostat  

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-
explained/index.php?title=Statistics_on_young_people_neither_in_employment_nor_in_education_or_traini
ng.  

37   Data extracted on 17 March 2025 from [ESTAT]:  

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/sdg_08_20__custom_15717003/default/table?lang=en. 

57 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Among persons with disabilities, the highest rates were recorded in Slovakia, Croatia and 
Bulgaria (in ascending order), while the lowest rates were  observed in the  Netherlands, 
Denmark and Finland. 

Figure 21: Percentage of young people neither in employment nor in education 
and training (NEET) by disability status and Member State, aged 16-29, 2023 

Note: The samples for Bulgaria and Luxembourg are relatively small and the estimates are indicative.  
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

4.2.2  Disability gap in NEET rates 

In the following figure, one may note that the absolute gap (difference) between persons 
with and without disabilities was 15.5 percentage points (125.9 % was the relative gap). 
The data are rounded to the nearest unit in the following figure. 

The highest absolute gaps were recorded in Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Croatia (in ascending 
order), while the lowest absolute gaps were found in the Netherlands, Latvia, and Finland. 

Figure 22: Disability gap among young people neither in employment nor in 
education and training (NEET) by Member State, aged 16-29, 2023 
Absolute gap = % Persons without disabilities – % Persons with disabilities 
Relative  gap  =  100*(%  persons  without  disabilities  –  %  persons  with  disabilities)  /  %  persons 
without disabilities. 
Numbers: refer to absolute gaps. 

58 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Note: The samples for Bulgaria and Luxembourg are relatively small and the estimates are indicative. 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

4.2.3  NEET by gender 

The following table indicates that there is no gender gap among persons with disabilities. 
The percentage  of  young men  with disabilities  not in education,  employment or training 
(30.2 %) was higher than the percentage for young women with disabilities (25.8 %).  

Table 25: Percentage of young people neither in employment nor in education 
and training (NEET) by disability status and gender, aged 16-29, EU, 2023 

Persons with disabilities 

Persons without disabilities 

Men 

Women 

No NEET 

69.8 

74.2 

NEET 

30.2 

25.8 

Total 

No NEET 

69.8 

74.2 

89.3 

85.9 

NEET 

10.7 

14.1 

Total 

89.3 

85.9 

Total 

87.7 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

72.2 

72.2 

27.8 

12.3 

87.7 

The  sample  of  observations  concerning  young  persons  with  disabilities  aged  16–29  by 
gender was relatively small (fewer than 50 observations) in 10 Member States and did not 
enable us to study further gender issues. 

4.2.4  NEET by degree of disability 

An important lesson from our analysis concerns young persons with severe disabilities. It 
is  evident  that  the  rate  of  young  people  neither  in  employment  nor  in  education  and 
training increases sharply with the degree of disability.  

The  rates  were  12.3 %  for  young  persons  without  disabilities,  21.7 %  for  persons  with 
moderate disabilities, and 52.1 % for persons with severe disabilities. 

A policy of inclusion requires more active policies in favour of young persons with severe 
disabilities. The high rate reported here reveals a high risk of socio-economic exclusion and 
marginalisation. 

4.2.5  Evolution by Member State 

In  the  EU 27,  we  observe  a  slight  increase  in  the  percentage  of  young  people  with 
disabilities  neither  in  employment  nor  in  education  and  training  (NEET)  aged  16–29 
between 2022 (27.3 %) and 2023 (27.8 %). This represents a relative increase of 2.1 %. 

The  rate  for  young  persons  without  disabilities  aged  16–27  increased  from  12.0 %  to 
12.3 % – a relative increase of 2.8 %. 

The  annual  national  relative  changes  for  persons  with  and  without  disabilities  were  not 
correlated. This means  that special factors affect persons  with disabilities and  a general 
improvement in the labour market might have a small impact on persons with disabilities. 

59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 23: Evolution of the rate of persons with disabilities neither in 
employment nor in education and training (NEET), aged 16-29 

Note: The number of observations for persons with disabilities is lower than 100 in BG, CY, EL, HU, 
LT, LU, MT, RO and SI in 2023. 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

4.2.6  Evolution at the EU level 

In the recent years, at EU level, we observe a small decrease in the percentage of young 
persons with disabilities neither in employment nor in education and training (NEET) aged 
16-29, for persons with and without disabilities. 

Figure 24: Evolution of the rate of persons with disabilities neither in 
employment nor in education and training (NEET), aged 16-29 

Note:  The  EU-level  target  stipulates  that  the  share  of  young  persons  aged  16–29  neither  in 
employment nor in education or training should be less than 9 % by 2030. 
Data source: EU-SILC, different years. 

60 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

4.3  Statistical tables 

Table 26: Percentage of young people neither in employment nor in education 
and training (NEET) by disability status and Member State, aged 16-29, EU, 
2023 

Persons with 
disabilities 

27.0 

30.1 

52.8 

42.5 

31.9 

31.0 

18.1 

22.3 

34.4 

26.2 

19.0 

30.0 

46.2 

40.7 

40.4 

26.4 

30.3 

33.0 

23.8 

24.1 

14.5 

38.9 

22.4 

39.1 

24.9 

35.3 

42.8 

Persons 
without 
disabilities 
9.5 

11.2 

17.9 

8.4 

9.4 

15.4 

6.2 

10.1 

14.9 

13.2 

7.2 

11.9 

11.1 

11.9 

7.1 

14.0 

12.3 

8.9 

12.2 

2.8 

5.9 

9.2 

10.1 

12.9 

7.1 

7.2 

14.7 

Total 

Absolute gap 
(pp.) 

Relative gap 
(%) 

12.0 

13.1 

18.6 

9.9 

11.1 

16.7 

9.3 

11.7 

15.4 

14.6 

10.2 

13.7 

12.6 

13.1 

10.6 

14.6 

13.8 

9.7 

13.8 

3.9 

7.2 

11.6 

11.6 

13.9 

10.4 

8.7 

16.9 

17.5 

18.9 

34.9 

34.1 

22.5 

15.7 

11.9 

12.2 

19.6 

13.0 

11.8 

18.1 

35.1 

28.8 

33.3 

12.4 

18.0 

24.1 

11.6 

21.3 

8.6 

29.7 

12.3 

26.2 

17.8 

28.1 

28.1 

184.6 

168.7 

194.7 

406.6 

239.3 

101.7 

190.2 

120.2 

131.7 

98.7 

164.9 

152.0 

317.1 

241.8 

471.8 

88.7 

147.0 

271.2 

95.2 

756.6 

144.4 

323.9 

121.9 

202.8 

250.4 

390.7 

191.2 

27.8 

12.3 

13.8 

15.5 

125.9 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

EU 

Note: The sample is smaller than 50 observations. 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

Table 27: Percentage of young people neither in employment nor in education 
and training (NEET) by disability status and Member State, aged 16-29, EU, 
2022 

Persons with 
disabilities 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

20.2 

27.2 

(51.9) 

43.4 

32.6 

Persons 
without 
disabilities 
7.6 

8.6 

22.3 

9.7 

9.9 

Total 

Absolute gap 
(pp.) 

Relative gap 
(%) 

12.6 

18.6 

29.6 

33.6 

22.6 

166.1 

216.4 

133.1 

345.1 

227.8 

9.0 

10.5 

22.9 

11.3 

11.6 

61 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

31.2 

15.5 

20.9 

40.0 

22.7 

24.1 

29.3 

48.0 

39.7 

35.1 

33.0 

32.4 

9.4 

34.3 

(32.9) 

16.5 

40.2 

22.0 

46.3 

25.8 

27.1 

31.8 

14.0 

7.9 

8.6 

16.8 

13.5 

7.3 

11.6 

10.1 

14.1 

5.0 

16.2 

10.9 

5.7 

9.5 

2.8 

3.4 

9.8 

8.0 

13.4 

7.3 

6.3 

13.0 

15.7 

10.0 

9.8 

17.6 

14.6 

11.0 

13.1 

12.0 

15.2 

8.6 

17.0 

12.8 

6.2 

11.8 

3.9 

5.5 

11.7 

9.7 

14.5 

10.7 

7.8 

14.1 

17.2 

7.5 

12.3 

23.1 

9.2 

16.8 

17.7 

37.8 

25.7 

30.2 

16.8 

21.5 

3.7 

24.8 

30.1 

13.2 

30.3 

13.9 

32.9 

18.5 

20.7 

18.8 

123.5 

95.2 

143.9 

137.5 

68.2 

231.2 

152.2 

372.9 

182.7 

605.6 

103.5 

197.2 

64.2 

262.3 

1 070.1 

390.5 

309.0 

173.6 

245.1 

253.4 

327.0 

144.1 

27.3 

12.0 

13.4 

15.3 

127.5 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

EU 

Note: The sample is smaller than 50 observations. 
Data source: EU-SILC release 1 in 2023 (spring release). 

Table  28:  Percentage  of  young  people  neither  in  employment  nor  in  education 
and training (NEET) by disability status and Member State, aged 16-29, EU, 2021 

Persons with 
disabilities 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

21.5 

29.7 

41.9 

35.7 

31.9 

28.1 

20.0 

21.0 

42.4 

23.9 

32.7 

33.6 

37.5 

43.8 

41.4 

31.9 

36.6 

Persons 
without 
disabilities 
9.6 

9.7 

22.8 

10.0 

11.6 

12.7 

8.2 

12.0 

19.4 

15.5 

10.0 

12.6 

13.1 

16.8 

13.3 

18.7 

10.4 

Total 

Absolute gap 
(pp.) 

Relative gap 
(%) 

11.9 

20.1 

19.1 

25.7 

20.3 

15.5 

11.8 

9.0 

23.0 

8.4 

22.8 

21.0 

24.4 

27.0 

28.1 

13.2 

26.2 

123.9 

207.6 

83.8 

256.5 

175.0 

122.0 

143.7 

75.6 

118.4 

54.4 

228.6 

166.6 

186.5 

160.6 

212.1 

70.5 

251.2 

11.0 

11.3 

23.6 

11.5 

12.9 

13.7 

10.9 

13.3 

20.1 

16.4 

13.5 

14.1 

14.5 

18.0 

16.0 

19.3 

12.8 

62 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

EU 

17.1 

24.6 

28.0 

16.2 

45.9 

23.1 

48.8 

23.0 

16.7 

38.5 

29.0 

6.3 

10.7 

6.5 

3.6 

9.3 

9.8 

14.7 

9.0 

8.0 

13.1 

13.2 

7.7 

12.3 

7.7 

5.5 

11.7 

11.5 

16.2 

10.9 

8.6 

14.7 

14.5 

10.7 

13.9 

21.6 

12.6 

36.6 

13.3 

34.1 

14.0 

8.7 

25.4 

15.8 

169.9 

129.5 

333.1 

353.8 

392.0 

134.9 

231.8 

155.5 

108.4 

194.1 

120.2 

Note: Data for Slovakia refer to 2020. 
Data source: EU-SILC release 1 in 2023 (spring release). 

Table  29:  Percentage  of  young  people  neither  in  employment  nor  in  education 
and training (NEET) by disability status and Member State, aged 16-29, EU, 2020 

Persons with 
disabilities 

25.2 

28.0 

33.2 

38.0 

29.1 

25.0 

18.0 

29.4 

46.8 

38.1 

21.5 

34.0 

40.5 

39.7 

42.8 

31.8 

35.1 

16.8 

28.6 

22.5 

19.1 

42.4 

30.0 

38.4 

24.9 

20.6 

38.5 

30.7 

Persons 
without 
disabilities 
10.0 

10.3 

25.4 

13.3 

16.2 

12.0 

8.6 

10.7 

22.4 

21.5 

11.8 

12.9 

16.9 

14.0 

9.8 

22.9 

13.7 

10.8 

13.7 

7.2 

4.3 

10.9 

11.3 

16.0 

7.6 

6.4 

13.1 

14.9 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

EU 

Total 

Absolute gap 
(pp.) 

Relative gap 
(%) 

12.0 

11.8 

25.6 

14.7 

17.2 

12.9 

10.7 

13.3 

23.2 

22.6 

14.1 

14.6 

18.2 

15.3 

13.1 

23.3 

15.9 

11.5 

15.0 

7.9 

6.3 

13.1 

13.2 

17.2 

8.9 

7.4 

14.7 

16.1 

15.2 

17.7 

7.8 

24.7 

12.9 

13.0 

9.4 

18.7 

24.4 

16.7 

9.7 

21.1 

23.6 

25.7 

33.0 

8.9 

21.4 

6.0 

15.0 

15.4 

14.8 

31.5 

18.6 

22.4 

17.3 

14.1 

25.4 

150.9 

172.4 

30.8 

186.2 

79.4 

108.3 

110.3 

174.4 

108.8 

77.7 

82.6 

163.7 

139.6 

183.8 

337.0 

39.1 

156.7 

55.6 

109.4 

214.8 

345.8 

288.6 

164.3 

139.7 

229.4 

219.4 

194.1 

15.8 

106.6 

Data source: EU-SILC UDB release 1 in 2022, rev. 1. 

63 

 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

5 

Tertiary education 

5.1  Relevance to EU policy / strategy 

Article 24 of the UN CRPD, which covers ‘Education’, notes that ‘States Parties recognize 
the right of persons with disabilities to education. With a view to realizing this right without 
discrimination  and  on  the  basis  of  equal  opportunity,  States  Parties  shall  ensure  an 
inclusive education system at all levels and lifelong learning’. 

On 25 September 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted a Resolution on ‘Transforming 
our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’. The Declaration stipulates that 
people who are vulnerable must be empowered. The Agenda notably includes the needs of 
persons with disabilities. Goal 4 aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education 
and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. 

On  30  September  2020,  the  Commission  adopted  two  initiatives  to  strengthen  the 
contribution  of  education  and  training  to  the  EU’s  recovery  from  the  coronavirus  crisis. 
They  aim  at  achieving  a  European  Education  Area  by  2025  and  resetting  education  and 
training for the digital age.38 The Communication on the European Education Area clearly 
states that ‘Education systems at all levels should comply with the UN Convention on the 
Rights of Persons with Disabilities’. 

The Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030, in addressing inclusive 
and  accessible  education,  notes  that  more  young  persons  with  disabilities  leave  school 
early and fewer learners with disabilities complete a university degree.39 Furthermore, it 
adds that ‘monitoring the progress in Member States will rely on improved statistical data 
collection on the situation of persons with disabilities’. 

In addition, the Commission, in its guidance to Member States on recovery and resilience 
plans, notes that these plans should identify relevant indicators to monitor the reduction 
of disparities. The indicators could include, notably, education and training.40 

The revised Social Scoreboard41 presents a set of headline and secondary indicators. In the 
‘Equal opportunities’ field, ‘Tertiary educational attainment’ among the 30–34 age group 
constitutes a secondary indicator. 

Finally,  the  Council  Resolution  on  a  strategic  framework  for  European  cooperation  in 
education  and  training  towards  the  European  Education  Area  and  beyond  (2021–2030) 
defines a target for educational attainment in 2030. It states that the share of 25- to 34-
year-olds with tertiary educational attainment should be at least 45 % by 2030. This should 
not be confused with the 40 % target, which applies to persons aged 30–34. 

To maintain a comparison with previous years, we present  first the situation of persons 
aged 30–34 and later on analyse the situation of persons aged 25–34 as defined by the 
Council Resolution. 

38   See: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_1743. 
39   European Commission (2021), Communication from the Commission – Union of Equality: Strategy for the 

Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030, https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-
/publication/692a886f-7cfc-11eb-9ac9-01aa75ed71a1/language-en. 

40   European Commission, (2021), Commission Staff Working Document – Guidance to Member States: 

Recovery and Resilience Plans, SWD(2021) 12 final, Part 1/2, 
https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-5538-2021-INIT/en/pdf. 

41   European Commission (2021), The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan, available at: 

https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/economy-works-people/jobs-growth-and-
investment/european-pillar-social-rights/european-pillar-social-rights-action-plan_en. 

64 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

5.2  Assessment and analysis of main results and their evolution 

5.2.1  General comments 

The  EU  considers  that  education  plays  a  significant  role  in  this  important  strategy  in 
fostering  both  societal  and  economic  progress  across  the  EU.  It  notes  that  education  is 
crucial for young people’s transition from education into the labour market and for their 
successful  integration  into  society.  Higher  educational  attainment  levels  increase 
employability and reduce poverty in the context of a knowledge-based economy. 

This indicator presents a specific problem for persons with disabilities. In several Member 
States, the number of observations in the EU-SILC survey covering persons with disabilities 
aged  30–34  was  small.  In  fact,  the  sample  comprised  fewer  than  50  persons  in  nine 
Member  States  in  2023.42  To  solve  this  problem,  in  the  analysis  by  Member  State,  we 
present the average for the last two years. The EU annual estimate is still robust. 

In  the  EU 27  in  2022–2023,  the  share  of  persons  with  disabilities  aged  30–34  who  had 
completed tertiary or equivalent education was 36.4 %. This share was 47.3 % for persons 
without disabilities, while the rate for all persons aged 30–34 was 46.0 %.43  

The lowest rates for persons with disabilities were recorded in Bulgaria, Romania and Italy 
(in  ascending  order).  The  same  results  were  found  in  previous  years.  In  contrast,  the 
highest  levels  of  achievement  for  persons  with  disabilities  were  observed  in  Spain,  the 
Netherlands and Denmark.  

Figure 25: Percentage of persons who have completed a tertiary or equivalent 
education by Member State and disability status, aged 30-34 
Share of the population who have completed tertiary or equivalent education of the same age and 
disability status. 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

42   These countries were Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Romania and 

Slovenia. 

43   This rate covers only persons for whom we have information on disability status. 

65 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

5.2.2  Disability gap in tertiary education 

The  disadvantage  faced  by  people  with  disabilities  can  be  assessed  using  various 
approaches. One method consists of measuring the difference between the percentage of 
people with and without disabilities who have completed tertiary education.  

The  annual  estimates  for  the  EU 27  are  robust,  but  this  is  not  the  case  for  the  annual 
estimates for several Member States. As noted, the sample size of persons with disabilities 
aged  30–34  is  relatively  small  in  nine  Member  States.  Consequently,  for  country 
comparisons, we prefer to use the mean of two consecutive years. 

During 2022–2023, at EU 27 level, the tertiary education gap between persons with and 
without  disabilities  aged  30–34  was  10.9  percentage  points.  This  represents  a  relative 
difference of 23.1 %.  

The average absolute education gap is high in most of the Member States.  

Figure 26: Disability gap in tertiary education or equivalent by Member State, 
age 30-34, average 2022-2023 
Absolute gap = % Persons without disabilities – % Persons with disabilities 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

5.2.3  Tertiary education by gender 

In the following, we present the annual data for 2023, since the EU aggregate is statistically 
robust. 

Concerning gender in the EU in 2023, about 41.7 % of women with disabilities aged 30–
34  had  completed  tertiary  or  equivalent  education,  compared  to  32.1 %  of  men  with 
disabilities in the same age group. 

Table 30: Percentage of persons who have completed tertiary or equivalent 
education by disability status, aged 30-34, EU, 2023 
Persons  who  have  completed  tertiary  or  equivalent  education  aged  30–34,  as  a  percentage of  all 
persons of the same sex, age and disability status. 

Persons with disabilities 

Persons without disabilities 

Less 

67.9 

58.3 

With 
tertiary 
education 
32.1 

41.7 

Total 

Less 

100 

100 

56.3 

49.4 

With 
tertiary 
education 
43.7 

50.6 

Total 

100 

100 

Men 

Women 

66 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Total 

37.0 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

63.0 

52.9 

100 

47.1 

100 

5.2.4  Evolution by Member State 

As  noted  earlier,  annual  national  data  for  persons  with  disabilities  lack  statistical 
robustness, and the issue is further exacerbated when comparing consecutive years, due 
to high volatility in  annual changes.  To address this, we aggregate data over two years 
and use the average. 

In the following figure, we compare the average of 2019–2020 with the average of 2022–
2023. In the EU 27, the rate of persons with disabilities aged 30–34 who have completed 
a tertiary or equivalent education increased from 33.4 % (2019–2020) to 36.4 % (2022–
2023). We observe an increase in 17 Member States. 

Figure 27: Evolution of the share who have completed  tertiary or equivalent 
education among persons with disabilities, aged 30-34, EU 
Indicative data. 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

5.2.5  Evolution at the EU level 

A  continuous  long-term  improvement  can  be  observed  in  the  situation  of  persons  with 
disabilities.  At  first  glance,  it  appears  that  the  trend  reversed  between  2017  and  2018. 
However, the number of observations in the sample, notably for persons with disabilities 
aged 30–34, is relatively small. The change between 2017 and 2018 was not significant at 
the 95 % level. 

The gap has remained stable during the past few years, at around 11 percentage points. 

67 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 28: Evolution of the share of persons who have completed tertiary or 
equivalent education by disability status, EU, aged 30-34 
Share of the population of the same age group and disability status. 
Solid lines cover EU 28 and dotted lines cover EU 27. 

Note: Change of classification in 2014. In 2015, there was a change of definitions in Germany, leading 
to a nominal downward movement.  
Data source: EU-SILC UDB (different years). 

5.3  European Education Area indicator 

5.3.1  General comments by Member State 

As  noted,  the  Council  Resolution  on  a  strategic  framework  for  European  cooperation  in 
education  and  training  towards  the  European  Education  Area  and  beyond  (2021–2030) 
defines a target for educational attainment in 2030. It provides that the share of 25–34-
year-olds with tertiary educational attainment should be at least 45 % by 2030. 

We  noted  several  times  that  indicators  covering  persons  with  disabilities  aged  30-34 
present statistical problems relating to small national samples. The extension to the 25–
34 age group increases the statistical robustness of the indicators. 

In the EU 27 in 2023, the rate of persons with disabilities aged 25–34 who had completed 
tertiary  or  equivalent  education  was  36.0 %.  The  equivalent  rate  for  persons  without 
disabilities was 45.8 %. 

The following figure presents the rates for persons with disabilities, distinguishing between 
persons  aged  30–34  and  25–34.  The  national  rates  are  strongly  correlated  (R²=0.81). 
However, we note significant differences for several Member States. These differences may 
be the result of different age groups, sampling errors or different policies. 

Whatever the age group considered, we may note that there are major differences across 
Member States. This indicates that a certain number of Member States could achieve better 
results for persons with disabilities through an exchange of national good practices. 

68 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 29: Share who have completed tertiary or equivalent education among 
persons with disabilities, EU, 2023 
Indicative data. 

Note: 1. Concerning the 25–34 age group, the sample of persons with disabilities comprises fewer 
than 50 observations in Bulgaria and a break in time series. Data for Malta present a discontinuity 
with  previous  years.  2.  Concerning  the  30–34  age  group,  the  sample  comprised  fewer  than  50 
observations in nine Member States (BG less than 20 observations and hence not reported, EL, HU, 
IE, LT, LU, MT, RO and SI). 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

5.3.2  Disability gap 

In  2023,  at  EU 27  level,  the  tertiary  education  gap  between  persons  with  and  without 
disabilities aged 25–34 was 9.8 percentage points (10.1 for 30-34). 

In the following figure, we may note that the gap is significant in several Member States, 
whatever age group we retain. 

As noted, the data are indicative, notably for the 30–34 age group. Despite this reservation, 
the two national series (30–34 and 25–34 age groups) are strongly correlated (R²=0.88). 
This can be visualised in the following figure. Large differences can be observed in a limited 
number of Member States, keeping in mind that the age groups are different and a small 
difference is to be expected. 

Given the similarities between the two age groups, the conclusions drawn above are valid 
here, too. A certain number of Member States could achieve better results for persons with 
disabilities through an exchange of national good practices. 

69 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 30: Disability gap in tertiary education or equivalent by Member State, 
2023 
Absolute gap = % Persons without disabilities – % Persons with disabilities 

Note: See previous figure. 
Data source: EU-SILC UDB (different years). 

5.3.3  Evolution at the EU level 

Keeping in mind that the national samples are small for persons with disabilities in the age 
groups considered, the following figure presents the evolution at EU level. 

In the EU 27, the rate of persons who have completed tertiary or equivalent education by 
disability  status,  aged  25–34,  increased  from  33.0 %  in  2021  to  36.0 %  in  2023.  The 
disability gap decreased from 12.0 percentage points to 9.8 percentage points. 

Figure 31: Evolution of the share who have completed tertiary or equivalent 
education among persons with disabilities, aged 25-34, EU 

Data source: EU-SILC UDB (different years). 

70 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

5.4  Statistical tables 

Table 31: Percentage of persons who have completed tertiary or equivalent 
education by Member State and disability status, aged 30-34 
Share of the population of the same age group and disability status. 
Due to the limited number of observations, estimates for persons with disabilities are indicative. The 
indicator for the EU target refers to ISCED 2011 level 5-8 (data from 2014 onwards).  

2022 

2023 

Disability 

Disability 

Mean 
disability 
gap 
2022-2023 
Gap in pp. 

AT 
BE 
BG 
CY 
CZ 
DE 
DK 
EE 
EL 
ES 
FI 
FR 
HR 
HU 
IE 
IT 
LT 
LU 
LV 
MT 
NL 
PL 
PT 
RO 
SE 
SI 
SK 

Yes 

40.4 
39.4 
(27.8) 
(35.4) 
24.8 
28.6 
58.8 
47.6 
(29.3) 
48.5 
42.6 
36.0 
(24.4) 
(16.3) 
(26.3) 
16.2 
(24.6) 
54.9 
36.9 
(17.9) 
47.7 
35.0 
23.6 
(17.4) 
34.9 
(44.5) 
25.4 

No 

51.0 
59.8 
30.3 
60.1 
38.9 
46.9 
68.6 
48.8 
44.7 
56.1 
55.8 
53.3 
38.2 
36.6 
60.3 
31.9 
59.0 
56.4 
51.3 
39.1 
73.8 
53.4 
41.3 
24.3 
49.6 
55.6 
34.4 

Total 

Yes 

49.6 
57.3 
30.2 
58.2 
37.6 
44.8 
65.9 
48.6 
44.0 
54.9 
53.0 
51.3 
37.1 
35.6 
57.1 
30.7 
55.3 
56.1 
49.5 
38.2 
69.4 
51.9 
38.4 
23.9 
47.1 
54.6 
33.4 

32.8 
45.7 
a 
38.1 
32.2 
28.0 
56.3 
37.2 
(34.2) 
49.4 
44.2 
37.9 
31.7 
(35.3) 
(40.8) 
16.1 
(51.0) 
(26.2) 
47.3 
(57.3) 
63.5 
33.3 
33.5 
(12.6) 
28.7 
(26.2) 
23.9 

No 

54.9 
61.7 
32.8 
66.9 
40.0 
42.4 
74.4 
49.6 
44.1 
57.7 
54.1 
53.6 
43.5 
38.8 
63.3 
30.7 
58.9 
55.5 
52.2 
46.7 
70.7 
54.8 
38.0 
26.1 
51.4 
55.0 
34.7 

Total 

52.0 
59.9 
32.4 
64.3 
39.3 
40.8 
69.5 
48.1 
43.6 
56.2 
52.0 
51.6 
42.6 
38.7 
60.1 
29.6 
58.3 
53.7 
51.3 
47.0 
69.6 
53.3 
37.3 
25.3 
47.2 
52.9 
33.5 

16.4 
18.2 
17.7 
26.8 
10.9 
16.3 
14.0 
6.8 
12.7 
7.9 
11.6 
16.5 
12.8 
11.9 
28.2 
15.2 
21.1 
15.4 
9.7 
5.3 
16.6 
20.0 
11.1 
10.2 
18.7 
20.0 
9.9 

EU 

46.1 

35.7 

47.4 

37.0 
Note: Data in ‘()’: between 20 and 49 observations; ‘a’: fewer than 20 observations. Data for Malta 
in 2023 present a break in time series. 
Mean disability gap 2022–2023: as indicated above, we first took the arithmetic mean of 2022–2023 
for persons with and without disabilities and then estimated the gap.  
Data source: EU-SILC UDB, different years. 

47.1 

46.0 

10.9 

71 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 32: Percentage of persons who have completed tertiary or equivalent 
education by Member State and disability status, aged 30-34 
Share of the population of the same age group and disability status. 
Due to the limited number of observations, estimates for persons with disabilities are indicative. The 
indicator for the EU target refers to ISCED 2011 level 5-8 (data from 2014 onwards).  

2021 

2022 

Disability 

Disability 

Mean 
disability 
gap 
2021-2022 
Gap in pp. 

AT 
BE 
BG 
CY 
CZ 
DE 
DK 
EE 
EL 
ES 
FI 
FR 
HR 
HU 
IE 
IT 
LT 
LU 
LV 
MT 
NL 
PL 
PT 
RO 
SE 
SI 
SK 

EU 

Yes 

36.3 
33.4 
(65.7) 
(32.8) 
20.1 
26.7 
52.7 
42.4 
(28.7) 
39.9 
38.8 
30.9 
34.6 
(27.1) 
(29.6) 
26.9 
59.2 
57.4 
43.0 
(37.9) 
49.4 
29.1 
24.7 
23.3 
37.3 
(39.5) 
32.2 

No 

54.1 
59.3 
29.6 
59.1 
41.2 
41.8 
64.9 
47.8 
45.1 
52.8 
55.3 
51.5 
41.3 
39.1 
63.6 
29.3 
58.7 
62.7 
54.4 
37.9 
66.1 
51.0 
38.8 
25.2 
49.6 
54.7 
35.7 

Total 

Yes 

51.4 
56.3 
31.0 
56.8 
39.4 
40.5 
61.9 
46.8 
44.4 
50.9 
52.4 
49.5 
40.8 
38.6 
59.4 
29.1 
58.7 
61.6 
52.7 
37.9 
63.6 
49.4 
36.4 
25.0 
47.8 
53.1 
35.2 

40.4 
39.4 
(27.8) 
(35.4) 
24.8 
28.6 
58.8 
47.6 
(29.3) 
48.5 
42.6 
36.0 
(24.4) 
(16.3) 
(26.3) 
16.2 
(24.6) 
54.9 
36.9 
(17.9) 
47.7 
35.0 
23.6 
(17.4) 
34.9 
(44.5) 
25.4 

No 

51.0 
59.8 
30.3 
60.1 
38.9 
46.9 
68.6 
48.8 
44.7 
56.1 
55.8 
53.3 
38.2 
36.6 
60.3 
31.9 
59.0 
56.4 
51.3 
39.1 
73.8 
53.4 
41.3 
24.3 
49.6 
55.6 
34.4 

Total 

49.6 
57.3 
30.2 
58.2 
37.6 
44.8 
65.9 
48.6 
44.0 
54.9 
53.0 
51.3 
37.1 
35.6 
57.1 
30.7 
55.3 
56.1 
49.5 
38.2 
69.4 
51.9 
38.4 
23.9 
47.1 
54.6 
33.4 

10.7 
20.4 
2.5 
24.7 
14.0 
18.3 
9.8 
1.2 
15.5 
7.6 
13.2 
17.4 
13.8 
20.3 
34.0 
15.7 
34.4 
1.5 
14.4 
21.3 
26.0 
18.4 
17.8 
6.9 
14.7 
11.1 
8.9 

34.3 

45.7 

44.5 

35.7 

47.4 

46.1 

11.7 

Note: Data in ‘()’: between 20 and 49 observations; ‘a’: fewer than 20 observations. 
Mean disability gap 2020–2021: as indicated above, we first took the arithmetic mean of 2020–2021 
for persons with and without disabilities and then estimated the gap. Data for Slovakia for 2021 refer 
to 2020. 
Data source: EU-SILC UDB, different years. 

72 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 33: Percentage of persons who have completed tertiary or equivalent 
education by Member State and disability status, aged 30-34 
Share of the population of the same age group and disability status. 
Due to the limited number of observations, estimates for persons with disabilities are indicative. The 
indicator for the EU target refers to ISCED 2011 levels 5-8 (data from 2014 onwards).  

2020 

2021 

Disability 

Disability 

Mean 
disability 
gap 
2020-2021 
Gap in pp. 

AT 
BE 
BG 
CY 
CZ 
DE 
DK 
EE 
EL 
ES 
FI 
FR 
HR 
HU 
IE 
IT 
LT 
LU 
LV 
MT 
NL 
PL 
PT 
RO 
SE 
SI 
SK 

EU 

Yes 

39.1 
31.7 
(17.3) 
31.4 
29.2 
26.8 
49.7 
32.3 
24.3 
42.7 
45.9 
37.5 
19.2 
(17.0) 
(47.5) 
16.8 
55.6 
(41.9) 
30.7 
(42.0) 
44.9 
30.5 
28.4 
(23.4) 
(21.9) 
(27.1) 
32.2 

No 

52.9 
57.4 
30.2 
55.2 
43.0 
44.0 
64.0 
47.6 
44.3 
50.1 
53.1 
52.8 
38.7 
40.7 
69.6 
27.9 
59.9 
54.8 
51.4 
34.8 
63.6 
51.5 
37.4 
27.0 
50.9 
45.7 
35.7 

Total 

Yes 

50.4 
53.9 
29.9 
52.9 
41.6 
42.5 
60.4 
45.2 
43.3 
49.2 
51.2 
51.1 
37.2 
39.2 
67.6 
27.0 
59.3 
53.9 
48.7 
35.1 
60.5 
49.8 
36.2 
26.9 
49.2 
44.1 
35.2 

36.3 
33.4 
(65.7) 
(32.8) 
20.1 
26.7 
52.7 
42.4 
(28.7) 
39.9 
38.8 
30.9 
34.6 
(27.1) 
(29.6) 
26.9 
59.2 
57.4 
43.0 
(37.9) 
49.4 
29.1 
24.7 
23.3 
37.3 
(39.5) 
32.2 

No 

54.1 
59.3 
29.6 
59.1 
41.2 
41.8 
64.9 
47.8 
45.1 
52.8 
55.3 
51.5 
41.3 
39.1 
63.6 
29.3 
58.7 
62.7 
54.4 
37.9 
66.1 
51.0 
38.8 
25.2 
49.6 
54.7 
35.7 

Total 

51.4 
56.3 
31.0 
56.8 
39.4 
40.5 
61.9 
46.8 
44.4 
50.9 
52.4 
49.5 
40.8 
38.6 
59.4 
29.1 
58.7 
61.6 
52.7 
37.9 
63.6 
49.4 
36.4 
25.0 
47.8 
53.1 
35.2 

15.8 
25.8 
-11.7 
25.1 
17.4 
16.1 
13.3 
10.3 
18.3 
10.2 
11.9 
17.9 
13.1 
17.9 
28.0 
6.8 
1.9 
9.1 
16.1 
-3.6 
17.7 
21.4 
11.6 
2.7 
20.7 
16.9 
3.5 

34.3 

45.5 

44.4 

34.3 

45.7 

44.5 

11.3 

Note: Data in ‘()’: between 20 and 49 observations; ‘a’: fewer than 20 observations. 
Mean disability gap 2020–2021: as indicated above, we first took the arithmetic mean of 2020–2021 
for persons with and without disabilities and then estimated the gap. Data for Slovakia for 2021 refer 
to 2020. 
Data source: EU-SILC UDB, different years. 

73 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 34: Percentage of persons who have completed tertiary or equivalent 
education by Member State and disability status, aged 30-34 
Share of the population of the same age group and disability status. 
Due to the limited number of observations, estimates for persons with disabilities are indicative. The 
indicator for the EU target refers to ISCED 2011 levels 5-8 (data from 2014 onwards).  

2018 

2019 

Disability 

Disability 

Mean 
disability 
gap 
2018-2019 
Gap in pp. 

AT 
BE 
BG 
CY 
CZ 
DE 
DK 
EE 
EL 
ES 
FI 
FR 
HR 
HU 
IE 
IT 
LT 
LU 
LV 
MT 
NL 
PL 
PT 
RO 
SE 
SI 
SK 

EU 

Yes 

42.1 
35.3 
(7.6) 
43.1 
35.7 
17.0 
(45.5) 
43.4 
33.8 
31.7 
42.4 
28.9 
17.3 
23.1 
(39.9) 
23.8 
(46.9) 
35.9 
42.9 
a 
49.2 
32.2 
30.6 
18.0 
(27.0) 
38.9 
29.7 

No 

49.0 
52.0 
33.4 
59.3 
41.2 
44.2 
52.5 
49.3 
44.2 
47.1 
48.1 
50.3 
31.8 
33.7 
61.7 
28.1 
64.9 
53.5 
49.2 
34.0 
64.0 
49.9 
35.1 
28.8 
54.9 
43.3 
35.5 

Total 

Yes 

47.6 
49.8 
32.6 
57.9 
40.7 
41.2 
51.4 
48.0 
43.8 
45.9 
46.6 
47.6 
30.5 
33.1 
60.4 
27.8 
63.2 
51.0 
47.9 
33.4 
61.1 
48.5 
34.4 
28.1 
52.6 
42.6 
34.9 

34.7 
30.4 
(6.4) 
42.7 
27.1 
25.1 
49.5 
44.0 
20.2 
36.1 
40.1 
42.5 
28.7 
33.7 
(30.4) 
16.6 
54.1 
46.8 
32.1 
(40.2) 
41.7 
33.1 
24.0 
22.6 
(21.8) 
34.4 
34.6 

No 

51.2 
55.8 
32.5 
56.1 
39.2 
43.9 
58.5 
44.9 
45.7 
46.3 
53.0 
48.4 
33.6 
37.2 
69.8 
27.0 
61.5 
57.8 
47.3 
34.1 
62.2 
49.9 
37.0 
28.5 
51.6 
45.9 
34.7 

Total 

47.3 
52.5 
31.5 
55.0 
38.0 
42.2 
56.6 
44.7 
44.6 
45.5 
49.9 
47.6 
33.2 
37.0 
67.8 
26.3 
60.2 
56.7 
45.3 
34.4 
59.1 
48.5 
35.2 
28.1 
49.3 
44.1 
34.7 

11.7 
21.0 
25.9 
14.8 
8.9 
23.0 
8.0 
3.4 
18.0 
12.8 
9.3 
13.6 
9.8 
7.1 
30.5 
7.3 
12.7 
14.3 
10.7 
5.7 
17.6 
17.3 
8.8 
8.4 
28.9 
7.9 
3.0 

29.4 

43.8 

42.3 

32.5 

43.6 

42.5 

12.8 

Note: Data in ‘()’: between 20 and 49 observations; ‘a’: fewer than 20 observations. 
Mean disability gap 2018–2019: as indicated above, we first took the arithmetic mean of 2018–2019 
for persons with and without disabilities and then estimated the gap. 
Data source: EU-SILC UDB, different years. 

74 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 35: Percentage of persons who have completed tertiary or equivalent 
education by Member State and disability status, aged 25-34 
Share of the population of the same age group and disability status. 
Due to the limited number of observations, estimates for persons with disabilities are indicative. The 
indicator for the EU target refers to ISCED 2011 levels 5-8 (data from 2014 onwards).  
2023 

Disability gap 
2023 
Gap in pp. 

20.8 
18.8 
(27.3) 
27.2 
6.2 
14.3 
18.5 
5.8 
12.5 
11.6 
9.3 
13.2 
16.7 
12.0 
19.0 
14.6 
5.7 
24.4 
4.6 
10.2 
10.2 
17.2 
6.5 
14.2 
13.9 
19.0 
13.0 

9.8 

Yes 

33.1 
41.0 
… 
40.5 
29.8 
26.0 
49.6 
44.0 
29.9 
45.3 
41.7 
40.6 
24.6 
22.5 
40.6 
18.2 
53.5 
34.6 
47.0 
37.1 
58.7 
32.5 
35.5 
10.3 
35.1 
32.5 
25.0 

Disability 

No 

53.9 
59.8 
29.5 
67.7 
36.0 
40.3 
68.1 
49.8 
42.4 
56.8 
50.9 
53.8 
41.3 
34.5 
59.6 
32.8 
59.2 
58.9 
51.6 
47.3 
68.9 
49.7 
41.9 
24.5 
49.0 
51.4 
38.0 

Total 

51.0 
57.6 
29.1 
65.7 
35.4 
38.9 
63.0 
49.1 
41.8 
54.9 
48.6 
52.1 
40.2 
34.0 
57.1 
31.7 
58.8 
57.6 
50.8 
46.8 
67.2 
48.3 
41.0 
23.7 
46.4 
50.1 
36.7 

36.0 

45.8 

44.7 

AT 
BE 
BG 
CY 
CZ 
DE 
DK 
EE 
EL 
ES 
FI 
FR 
HR 
HU 
IE 
IT 
LT 
LU 
LV 
MT 
NL 
PL 
PT 
RO 
SE 
SI 
SK 

EU 

Note: Data for Bulgaria present a break in time series. 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

75 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 36: Percentage of persons who have completed tertiary or equivalent 
education by Member State and disability status, aged 25-34 
Share of the population of the same age group and disability status. 
Due to the limited number of observations, estimates for persons with disabilities are indicative. The 
indicator for the EU target refers to ISCED 2011 levels 5-8 (data from 2014 onwards).  
2022 

Disability gap 
2022 
Gap in pp. 

AT 
BE 
BG 
CY 
CZ 
DE 
DK 
EE 
EL 
ES 
FI 
FR 
HR 
HU 
IE 
IT 
LT 
LU 
LV 
MT 
NL 
PL 
PT 
RO 
SE 
SI 
SK 

EU 

Yes 

35.8 
37.9 
(31.5) 
32.9 
23.7 
29.3 
58.9 
42.6 
30.5 
46.3 
35.6 
33.5 
19.4 
10.4 
35.1 
23.7 
34.8 
52.9 
41.4 
(11.9) 
49.5 
34.7 
26.7 
13.3 
33.3 
57.2 
28.4 

35.7 

Disability 

No 

47.7 
58.8 
29.9 
61.7 
36.4 
43.5 
69.1 
49.1 
43.1 
55.9 
51.2 
53.6 
38.1 
32.3 
57.5 
33.5 
60.3 
53.8 
48.9 
41.5 
69.2 
48.1 
46.1 
24.7 
46.8 
52.0 
36.5 

Total 

46.2 
56.4 
30.0 
59.9 
35.4 
41.9 
66.1 
48.3 
42.5 
54.4 
47.7 
51.3 
36.8 
31.2 
54.9 
32.9 
57.7 
53.7 
48.0 
40.3 
66.0 
47.0 
43.1 
24.1 
44.4 
52.4 
35.8 

12.0 
21.0 
-1.5 
28.8 
12.7 
14.2 
10.2 
6.4 
12.6 
9.6 
15.6 
20.0 
18.7 
22.0 
22.4 
9.9 
25.5 
0.9 
7.5 
29.6 
19.7 
13.4 
19.4 
11.4 
13.6 
-5.3 
8.1 

46.3 

45.1 

10.6 

Data source: EU-SILC 2022 release 2023, version 2 (autumn release). 

76 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 37: Percentage of persons who have completed tertiary or equivalent 
education by Member State and disability status, aged 25-34 
Share of the population of the same age group and disability status. 
Due to the limited number of observations, estimates for persons with disabilities are indicative. The 
indicator for the EU target refers to ISCED 2011 levels 5-8 (data from 2014 onwards).  
2021 

Disability gap 
2021 
Gap in pp. 

13.3 
22.7 
-12.7 
28.9 
19.0 
17.5 
11.1 
7.9 
17.3 
14.7 
19.1 
21.7 
11.1 
13.7 
33.3 
3.4 
-5.8 
2.9 
12.0 
14.4 
18.6 
21.3 
17.1 
4.5 
14.0 
5.7 
5.4 

12.0 

Yes 

36.9 
35.0 
44.3 
30.0 
18.7 
22.3 
54.0 
41.3 
27.4 
40.0 
31.8 
30.3 
29.4 
19.9 
31.2 
26.7 
61.8 
55.3 
37.5 
24.1 
45.0 
26.4 
26.5 
21.0 
30.6 
46.8 
30.8 

Disability 

No 

50.2 
57.6 
31.6 
58.8 
37.7 
39.8 
65.1 
49.3 
44.7 
54.7 
50.9 
51.9 
40.6 
33.5 
64.4 
30.1 
56.0 
58.2 
49.4 
38.5 
63.6 
47.7 
43.6 
25.5 
44.6 
52.4 
36.2 

Total 

48.2 
55.4 
32.1 
56.7 
36.2 
38.4 
62.4 
47.9 
44.0 
52.7 
47.9 
49.9 
39.7 
32.9 
60.8 
29.8 
56.7 
57.7 
47.7 
37.8 
60.6 
46.1 
40.9 
25.2 
42.4 
51.9 
35.7 

33.0 

45.0 

43.8 

AT 
BE 
BG 
CY 
CZ 
DE 
DK 
EE 
EL 
ES 
FI 
FR 
HR 
HU 
IE 
IT 
LT 
LU 
LV 
MT 
NL 
PL 
PT 
RO 
SE 
SI 
SK 

EU 

Data source: EU-SILC release 2023, version 1 (spring release). 

77 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 38: Evolution of the share of persons who have completed tertiary or 
equivalent education by disability status, aged 30-34 

EU 28 

Persons with 
disabilities 

24.5 

23.4 

20.4 

21.6 

22.8 

27.1 

27.8 

28.5 

29.7 

29.4 

30.3 

32.4 

31.7 

Persons 
without 
disabilities 
33.7 

31.9 

33.1 

35.4 

37.0 

36.9 

39.3 

41.1 

42.6 

43.0 

43.5 

42.5 

44.9 

2006 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

2014 

2015 

2016 

2017 

2018 

2019 

2020 

2021 

2022 

2023 

EU Target 
2020: 40 % 
2030: > 
40 % 
40 

EU 27 

Persons with 
disabilities 

Persons 
without 
disabilities 

40 

40 

40 

40 

40 

40 

40 

40 

40 

40 

40 

40 

40 

40 

>40 

>40 

>40 

31.7 

29.4 

32.5 

34.3 

34.3 
35.7 

37.0 

41.8 

43.8 

43.6 

45.5 

45.7 
47.4 

47.1 

Data source : EU-SILC UDB. 

Table 39: Evolution of the share of persons who have completed tertiary or 
equivalent education by disability status, aged 25-34 

EU 27 

Persons with disabilities 
33.0 

Persons without disabilities 
45.0 

EU Target 

2030: 45 % 

35.7 

36.0 

46.3 

45.8 

2021 

2022 

2023 

Data source : EU-SILC UDB. 

78 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

6 

Disability pay gap 

6.1  Relevance to EU policy / strategy 

The  Commission  notes  that  equal  pay  for  equal  work  is  one  of  the  European  Union’s 
founding principles, embedded in the Treaties since 1957.44 Article 157 of the Treaty on 
the Functioning of the European Union provides that each Member State shall ensure that 
the principle is applied. Directive 2006/54/EC enshrines the principle of equal pay.  

The Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021–203045 notes that the EU has 
put  in  place  a  comprehensive  body  of  EU  anti-discrimination  legislation  to  ensure  equal 
treatment  regardless  of  sex,  sexual  orientation,  racial  or  ethnic  origin,  age,  religion  or 
belief. The Employment Equality Directive provides for specific measures to ensure equal 
treatment of persons with disabilities. 

In the past, EU policy has notably focused on closing the gender pay gap, and this is one 
of the objectives of the EPSR. In the following, we aim to transpose the principle of equal 
pay in the domain of disability. 

In  the  following  analysis,  we  propose  the  development  of  an  indicator  to  capture  the 
disability pay gap. The aim is to estimate the pay gap between persons with and without 
disabilities and the basis for comparison is persons without disabilities (men and women).  

The methodology applied to the gender statistical indicator may be used as a basis for the 
proposed indicator. The gender pay gap, which is part of the EU Sustainable Development 
Goals  (SDG)  indicator  set,  is  used  to  monitor  progress  towards  gender  equality.  This 
indicator  is  embedded  in  the  European  Commission’s  Priorities  under  the  headings  ‘An 
economy that works for people’ and ‘A new push for European democracy’. 

The proposed indicator here ought to measure the disability pay gap in unadjusted form 
(persons with disabilities versus persons without disabilities). It is unadjusted because it 
does not consider differences in education, skills, and other socio-economic factors. 

6.2  Assessment and analysis of main results and their evolution 

6.2.1  Interpreting the EU-SILC data and the SES survey 

To  estimate  the  gender  pay  gap,  Eurostat  uses  the  methodology  of  the  Structure  of 
Earnings Survey (SES), which is carried out every four years. The survey provides EU-wide 
harmonised structural data on gross earnings, hours paid, etc. However, this survey did 
not provide information on disability.  
The  SES  refers  to  enterprises  with  at  least  ten  employees  operating  in  all  areas  of  the 
economy  except  public  administration,  as  defined  in  the  statistical  classification  of 
economic  activities  in  the  European  Community  (NACE).  The  latest  available  data  cover 
2022.46  

The following analysis draws on information collected by the EU-SILC survey to estimate 
the  disability  pay  gap  (see  methodology  in  the  Annex).  The  EU-SILC  data  provides 
information on gross employee income during the past 12 months, the number of months 
that people have spent at work as employees during the same period, and the number of 
hours  usually  worked  per  week  at  the  time  of  interview.  In  summary,  gross  employee 

44   European Commission (2021), Union of Equality Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021–

2030; Brussels, 2021 – COM(2021) 101 final. 

45   European Commission (2021), Communication from the Commission – Union of Equality: Strategy for the 
Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030, p. 17 (Racial Equality Directive (2000/43/EC); Employment 
Equality Directive (2000/78/EC); Equal Treatment Directive (2006/54/EC).  

46   Eurostat, Structure of Earnings Survey, 

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/earn_ses_hourly/default/table?lang=en&category=labour.
earn.earn_ses_main. 

79 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

income is taken and adjusted for the number of months and the number of hours in order 
to increase comparability across countries. 

Given the data limitations, the proposed indicator is a proxy for the disability pay gap. It 
follows  a  methodology  like  the  one  used  by  Eurostat  to  develop  its  gender  pay  gap 
indicator.  The  data  includes  only  employees  currently  working  in  enterprises  with  10  or 
more employees, excluding those in the public sector. The data covers a broad age range 
of 15 to 74 years. Eurostat does not impose any age restriction in relation to the gender 
pay gap. 

The indicator measures the difference between average gross earnings of paid employees 
with disabilities and those of paid employees without disabilities, as a percentage of the 
latter (representing the relative earnings advantage of that group). 

To assess the robustness of the indicator, the mean national hourly wage for all persons, 
provided by the method as outlined above, is compared with the one derived from the SES 
survey,  provided  by  Eurostat.  The  following  figure  indicates  a  very  high  correlation  of 
national  estimates  (R²=0.96,  n=26).  Comparable  results  were  observed  in  previous 
reports. 

The  SES  2022  and  EU-SILC  2023  surveys  provide  similar  estimates  for  the  mean  gross 
hourly employee income. The SES provides a mean of EUR 17.7 and the EU-SILC a mean 
of EUR 19.4.  

Consequently, we consider that our estimate of the mean gross hourly employee income 
is  statistically  robust  and  can  be  used  for  the  comparison  of  persons  with  and  without 
disabilities. 

Although the SES survey covers 2022 and the EU-SILC microdata 2023, we must note that 
EU-SILC data are based on gross employee income during the past 12 months and thus 
these data overlap with 2022. 

Figure 32: Mean gross hourly employee income, 26 Member States 
All  employees,  aged  15–74,  working in  firms  with  10  or  more  employees,  without  restrictions  for 
hours worked (public administration excluded). Each point represents a country. 

Data  source:  EU-SILC  2023  release  2024,  version  1  (autumn  release)  and  SES  2022, 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/earn_ses22_12__custom_15773265/default/table
?lang=en. Data extracted on 18 March 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

Furthermore,  Eurostat  presents  a  gender  pay  gap  in  unadjusted  form  of  13.2 %  in  the 
EU 27 in 2022. This includes all employees working in firms with 10 or more employees, 
without restrictions for age and hours worked. Applying the same methodology to the EU-

80 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

SILC 2023 data, we find a close gender pay gap (14.7 %). Despite this similarity, there 
are significant differences between the national estimates of the two surveys for a certain 
number of Member States. 

6.2.2  General comments 

In  the  following  analysis,  we  use  EU-SILC  2023  data.  As  noted,  the  EU-SILC  microdata 
covering 2023  refer to  the last 12 months preceding the interview and consequently go 
into 2022, which is the SES 2022 survey year. 

Concerning the disability  pay gap in the EU 27, for comparability  reasons with Eurostat, 
we focus on employed persons aged 15/16–75 working in firms with 10 or more employees, 
excluding those in public administration.  

As highlighted in previous EDE reports, the disability pay gap is strongly influenced by an 
age  composition  effect.  Disability  prevalence  increases  with  age  and,  consequently, 
persons with disabilities are  over-represented among older workers.  On the other hand, 
wages increase significantly with age. This implies that even if the wages of persons with 
disabilities are lower than those of persons without disabilities, at each age, the average 
wage for all persons with disabilities might be higher relative to  that of persons without 
disabilities.  Consequently,  the  crude  rate  might  be  misleading,  since  it  compares  two 
populations with very different age structures. 

To  avoid  the  above  caveat,  we  present  below  the  disability  pay  gap  by  age  group. 
Furthermore, we focus on the ratio of gross hourly wage to the national average.47 At EU 
level  in  2023,  for  all  age  groups,  this  ratio,  multiplied  by  100,  is  97  for  persons  with 
disabilities  and  107  for  persons  without  disabilities.  It  represents  a  gap  of  about  10 % 
(9.6 %).48  

In  the  figure  on  the  following  page,  we  may  note  that  the  gap  increases  with  age.  It 
increases from 5 % (63–58) for the 15 to 24 age group, and to 20 % (120–100) for the 
55 to 64 age group. It decreases afterwards. 

47   The national average (m) is based on persons aged less than 75 years. It is a not weighted national 

average, unlike all other estimations in this report. 

48   The ratio for a person with disabilities and for a specific country can be noted as 100x(D/m), where D is 
gross hourly employee income of the person and m is the national mean. Similarly, the ratio for persons 
without disabilities is 100x(ND/m). Consequently, the difference in the ratios (100xND/m-100xD/m) can be 
written as 100x(ND-D)/m, which is the gap in per cent. This gap is relative to the mean and not relative to 
persons without disabilities. 

81 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 33: Ratio (x100) of gross hourly employee income to national average by 
disability status and age group, EU 2023 
All  employees  without  restrictions  for  hours  worked  and  companies  with  10+  employees  (public 
administration excluded). 

Note: For each person, the pay ratio is the ratio of gross hourly employee income to  the national 
average, multiplied by 100. The national average of the denominator includes all persons aged below 
75 years.  
Data source: EU-SILC UDB 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

We  have  used  age-adjusted  data  to  estimate  the  disability  pay  gap,  but  the  results  are 
very sensitive to methods used, notably the age group width. 

6.2.3  Disability pay gap by Member State 

The following figure presents the situation by Member State. We may note that there is no 
disability pay gap in Luxembourg (negative), France and Belgium. The highest gaps were 
observed in Malta (22 % but the sample is small), Croatia (22 %) and Hungary (25 %). 

Figure 34: Ratio (x100) of gross hourly employee income to national average by 
disability status and Member State, EU 2023 
All employees aged 15–74 without restrictions for hours worked and companies with 10+ employees 
(public administration excluded). 

Note: The data cover companies with 10 employees or more excluding public authorities.  
Data source: EU-SILC UDB 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

82 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

6.2.4  Disability pay gap by economic sector 

An interesting question is whether the disability pay gap varies by economic activity (NACE 
rev.  2).49  In  the  figure  on  the  following  page,  we  find  the  highest  gap  in  finance  and 
insurance in 2023.  

Figure 35: Disability gap in the ratio of gross hourly employee income to 
national average by economic activity, aged 16-74, EU 
Disability pay gap: Difference between the ratio (x100) of persons without disabilities and persons 
with disabilities. 

Note:  For construction the rate is negative,  but the two estimations are  not statistically different. 
See the statistical annex for a detailed description of economic sectors (NACE nomenclature). 
Data source: EU-SILC UDB 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

6.2.5  Disability pay gap by gender 

As before, our analysis  includes  employees working in companies with 10  employees  or 
more, aged 15–75, not working in public administration and without restriction concerning 
hours worked. Since we are comparing men and women with disabilities, we do not need 
to  use  age-adjusted  data.  The  age  structures  differ  between  persons  with  and  without 
disabilities, but gender age structures are close inside each group. 

In the EU 27 in 2023, the gender pay gap among persons with disabilities was 12.5 %. In 
fact,  the  hourly  wage  rate  was  20.3  euros  for  men  with  disabilities  and  17.8  euros  for 
women  with  disabilities.  The  difference  between  the  pay  of  women  with  disabilities  and 
men with disabilities is expressed as a percentage of the latter.  

The equivalent gender pay gap among persons without disabilities was 15.0 %. The hourly 
wage rate was 20.7 euros for men without disabilities and 17.6 euros for women without 
disabilities. These are crude rates. 

If we consider ratios to the overall national means, we obtain 103 for men with disabilities 
and 91 for women with disabilities, providing a difference of 12.3 %. 

49   Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community (Rev. 2.1 NACE), see 

https://showvoc.op.europa.eu/#/datasets/ESTAT_Statistical_Classification_of_Economic_Activities_in_the_E
uropean_Community_Rev._2.1._%28NACE_2.1%29/data.   

83 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Similarly, if we consider the ratios to the overall national means, we obtain 113 for men 
without disabilities and 98 for women without disabilities, providing a difference of 15.0 %. 
The gap is measured as a deviation from the national mean. These are crude rates. 

6.2.6  Disability pay gap by degree of disability 

The degree of disability plays a key role. To take into account the different age structures 
of  the  three  groups,  we  have  used  a  10-year  age  group  standardisation  based  on  2019 
data. 

In  the  EU 27  in  2023,  the  disability  pay  gap  for  persons  with  moderate  disabilities  was 
12.8 % (7.3 % in 2019), and for persons with severe disabilities it was 14.9 % (18.2 % in 
2019). The data are indicative because they are very sensitive to the method used for the 
age standardisation. 

The national samples of persons with severe disabilities are relatively small (10 countries 
with fewer than 50 observations) and do not enable us to undertake an analysis by Member 
State. 

6.2.7  Evolution of disability pay gap 

In the following, we make abstraction of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022. In fact, the data 
of this period have been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic and do not reflect exactly 
the evolution of the labour market. 

Furthermore, we compare age-adjusted data because the age structures of persons with 
and without disabilities are different on two levels. First at a given year and secondly over 
time. We use the 2019 age structure as the base for standardisation. 

In the EU in 2023, the age-adjusted disability pay gap was 12.8 %. In fact, the respective 
age-adjusted  rates  for  persons  with  and  without  disabilities  were  respectively 
EUR 16.5  and EUR 18.9. For comparison, the age-adjusted disability pay gap was 8.7 % 
in 2019 (EUR 14.6 and EUR 16.0).  

The above data are very sensitive to alternative age adjustment methods. For this reason, 
we  present  below  the  evolution  of  disability  pay  gaps  based  on  ratios  that  are  not  age-
adjusted. 

The disability pay gaps in 2023 and 2019 were 9.6 % and 9.5 % respectively. Globally, we 
may conclude that the gaps between 2019 (all firms) and 2023 are similar.  

6.2.8  Factors affecting disability pay gap 

In the previous analysis, we compare the earnings of persons with and without disabilities. 
But  these  two  groups  may  differ  in  several  characteristics,  and  this  might  bias  the 
comparison.  For  this  reason,  we  tried  to  eliminate  any  bias  related  to  different  age 
structures by using age-adjusted estimates. 

A disability pay gap may result from different endowments. For example, a group might 
have, on average, lower education levels, and consequently lower wages. Of course, this 
does not  explain why  one group has lower  educational attainments than another. Some 
might argue that this is due to (indirect) discrimination. For example, a lack of educational 
accommodations  or  accessibility  barriers  might  push  persons  with  disabilities  out  of  the 
school system. 

Another source of discrimination might arise if persons with similar characteristics receive 
different  amounts  of  labour  earnings.  To  identify  such  situations,  we  have  run  an 
econometric analysis. The goal is to isolate the impact of disability status while keeping all 
other characteristics constant. 

84 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

For this purpose, we have run regressions using a Mincer earnings equation (see Statistical 
Annex).  This  is  a  single-equation  model  that  explains  wage  as  a  function  of  education, 
experience and other relevant factors.50  

First,  we  ran  different  specifications  of  the  Mincer  equation  with  ordinary  least  squares 
(OLS).  The  dependent  variable  was  (logarithm/ln  of)  gross  hourly  employee  income  in 
2023.  We  focused  on  all  employees  aged  15–74  without  restrictions  concerning  hours 
worked and companies with 10 or more employees (public administration excluded). This 
enabled us to obtain comparable results with the previous analysis. We have retained, as 
explanatory  variables,  gender,  age  (for  personal  ability),  education,  work  experience, 
occupational  qualifications,51  and  dummies  for  country  specificities.  The  independent 
variables explain 52 % to 60 % of the variances in the dependent variable (see Statistical 
Annex).  

Considering persons with similar characteristics, the presence of a moderate disability is 
associated with a decrease of 5 % to 6 % in hourly earnings compared to persons without 
disabilities. This means that, on average, the two groups are identical except for disability 
status. 

Similarly, the presence of a severe disability is associated with a decrease of 9 % to 11 % 
in  hourly  earnings  compared  to  persons  without  disabilities.  Again,  on  average,  the  two 
groups are identical except for disability status. 

All other variables have the expected signs.  

In a second stage, we ran Heckman regression models with selection.52 This method takes 
into  account  a  potential  bias  in  the  previous  OLS  estimation.  In  fact,  persons  who  are 
offered low wages (lower than their reservation rate)  are less likely to accept work, and 
thus the sample of observed wages is biased upwards. 

The corrected regressions indicate that, when we move from a primary education level to 
an upper secondary education level, the increase in hourly earnings is 11 % for persons 
with disabilities and 17 % for persons without disabilities. The return to schooling differs 
depending on disability status, while controlling for the influence of other variables in the 
model. 

Similarly, a person with disabilities with tertiary or equivalent education will increase his 
earnings  by  27 %  compared  to  a  person  with  similar  characteristics  but  with  primary 
education.  This  rate  is  34 %  for  persons  without  disabilities.  Again,  the  return  differs 
depending  on  disability  status,  keeping  all  other  factors  fixed.  Alternative  specifications 
provide comparable results (see statistical annex). 

The  above  results  indicate  that  additional  schooling  has  a  lower  return  for  persons  with 
disabilities  compared  with  persons  without  disabilities  but  with  otherwise  similar 
characteristics.  This  gap  can  be  interpreted  as  direct  discrimination,  as  it  cannot  be 
explained by other factors such as age, gender or experience, which are otherwise similar. 
This might lead to under-investment in education by persons with disabilities. 

The  rate  of  return  to  an  additional  year  of  experience  for  persons  without  disabilities  is 
twice the rate of return of persons with disabilities, keeping all other characteristics under 

50   For a review of Mincer earnings equation, see: Lemieux, T., 2003, ‘The Mincer equation thirty years after: 

Schooling, Experience, and Earnings’; University of California, Berkeley, Working paper no 62. Available at:  
https://eml.berkeley.edu/~cle/wp/wp62.pdf. 
For a critical review accessible to non-specialists, see: Patrinos, H., A., 2016, ’Estimating the return to 
schooling using the Mincer equation, IZA World of Labor. Available at: 
https://wol.iza.org/uploads/articles/278/pdfs/estimating-return-to-schooling-using-mincer-equation.pdf. 

51   International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO). Occupation refers to the kind of work 

performed in a job. See https://ilostat.ilo.org/methods/concepts-and-definitions/classification-occupation/.  

52   See STATA: Heckman selection models, https://www.stata.com/manuals/rheckman.pdf.  

85 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

control. This again can be interpreted as discrimination, since all other characteristics are 
the same. 

Concerning  gender,  we  observe  a  gender  gap  of  14 %  in  the  group  of  persons  with 
disabilities. On average, women with disabilities earn 14 % less than male workers with 
disabilities having similar characteristics. The gender gap is 17 % in the group of persons 
without disabilities. 

Finally, there is no difference between persons with and without disabilities if we consider 
the rate of return by occupation (type of job performed: manager, professional, technician, 
clerical,  service,  agricultural,  craft,  plant  operators  and  elementary).  This  suggests  that 
discrimination could be addressed more effectively at occupational level. The presence of 
trade unions at company level might be an explanation, but this requires further analysis. 

6.3  Statistical tables 

Table 40: Hourly gross employee income, in EUR, 2023 
The data are not age-adjusted. 
Hourly earnings: ((Total gross wage / (Hours worked per week x Months worked))/4.3. 
Employees aged 15–74 (public administration excluded). Companies employing 10+.  

Persons without 
disabilities 

Persons with 
disabilities 

Total 

EU-SILC 2023 

24.9 
28.4 
5.5 
15.5 
10.4 
27.1 
38.6 
11.9 
9.4 
16.4 
26.8 
21.4 
8.7 
6.9 
18.1 
11.0 
42.9 
10.0 
15.1 
30.5 
7.8 
11.1 
7.2 
22.5 
13.7 
6.0 

23.5 
28.3 
4.7 
13.5 
9.0 
23.8 
36.3 
10.1 
9.2 
14.8 
24.3 
22.4 
7.0 
5.3 
16.4 
9.4 
43.3 
8.4 
12.5 
27.5 
7.3 
10.3 
6.6 
19.4 
11.7 
5.7 

24.6 
28.4 
5.4 
15.3 
10.2 
26.6 
38.0 
11.6 
9.4 
16.0 
26.3 
21.5 
8.6 
6.8 
17.9 
10.8 
42.9 
9.6 
15.0 
29.9 
7.7 
10.9 
7.1 
22.0 
13.4 
6.0 

Mean hourly 
earnings 
SES 2022 
20.0 
27.0 
5.6 
13.0 
9.6 
22.3 
32.6 
10.8 
9.3 
13.6 
22.3 
19.9 
8.2 
7.3 
16.4 
10.9 
31.3 
9.1 
12.1 
21.4 
8.6 
8.7 
7.5 
21.6 
12.6 
9.1 

19.3 

19.4 

19.4 

17.7 

AT 
BE 
BG 
CY 
CZ 
DE 
DK 
EE 
EL 
ES 
FI 
FR 
HR 
HU 
IT 
LT 
LU 
LV 
MT 
NL 
PL 
PT 
RO 
SE 
SI 
SK 

EU 
(26) 

Note: Eurostat indicator focuses on companies employing 10+. EU-SILC UDB does not provide the 
size of enterprises for Ireland. 
Mean  hourly  earnings:  total,  gross  earnings  in  industry,  construction,  and  services  (except  public 
administration,  defence,  compulsory  social  security),  in  firms  employing  ten  employees  or  more, 
EUR, 2022. Source: SES 2022.  
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release) and 
SES 2022, 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/earn_ses22_12__custom_15773265/default/table
?lang=en. Data extracted on 18 March 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

86 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 41: Hourly gross employee income, in EUR, 2019 
The data are not age-adjusted. 
Hourly earnings: ((Total gross wage / (Hours worked per week x Months worked))/4.3. 
Employees aged 15–74 (public administration excluded). Companies employing 10+.  

Persons without 
disabilities 

Persons with 
disabilities 

Total 

Mean hourly 
earnings 

AT 
BE 
BG 
CY 
CZ 
DE 
DK 
EE 
EL 
ES 
FI 
FR 
HR 
HU 
IE 
IT 
LT 
LU 
LV 
NL 
PL 
PT 
RO 
SE 
SI 
SK 

EU 
(26) 

21.3 
23.8 
3.7 
13.0 
7.5 
19.8 
30.4 
8.1 
9.3 
13.0 
23.0 
18.1 
6.7 
4.7 
26.7 
15.8 
5.6 
32.5 
7.4 
25.5 
5.8 
8.5 
4.6 
20.4 
11.1 
5.7 

EU-SILC 2019 

20.1 
22.6 
2.9 
11.8 
6.1 
17.8 
30.6 
7.5 
9.3 
12.2 
22.2 
16.5 
5.7 
4.2 
23.5 
16.3 
5.1 
29.3 
6.2 
23.9 
5.2 
7.6 
4.4 
16.0 
8.9 
5.3 

15.6 

15.3 

21.1 
23.6 
3.7 
12.9 
7.3 
19.5 
30.5 
8.0 
9.3 
13.0 
22.8 
17.9 
6.6 
4.6 
26.5 
15.8 
5.6 
32.0 
7.1 
25.3 
5.8 
8.3 
4.6 
20.1 
10.7 
5.6 

15.6 

SES 2018 
17.4 
20.2 
3.3 
11.3 
7.1 
19.7 
29.5 
7.5 
8.7 
12.2 
20.1 
18.1 
6.4 
5.5 
22.9 
15.6 
5.3 
25.1 
6.3 
18.3 
6.3 
7.7 
5.1 
20.2 
9.6 
6.7 

15.4 

Mean  hourly  earnings:  total,  gross  earnings  in  industry,  construction  and  services  (except  public 
administration,  defence,  compulsory  social  security),  in  firms  employing  ten  employees  or  more, 
EUR, 2018. Source: SES 2018 ,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/metadata/en/earn_ses2018_esms.htm.  
Data source: EU-SILC UDB 2019, release 1 2021.  
Data extracted on 26 May 2022 from [ESTAT] for SES. 

Table 42: Hourly gross employee income, in EUR, 2023 
The data are age-adjusted (10-year age groups, 2019). 
Employees aged 15–74 (public administration excluded). Age-adjusted. Companies 10+. 

AT 

BE 
BG 
CY 
CZ 
DE 
DK 
EE 
EL 
ES 
FI 

Persons with 
disabilities 
33.3 
(22.8) 
27.8 
4.3 
12.8 
9.4 
22.0 
35.8 
9.8 
8.2 
14.4 
23.5 

Persons without 
disabilities 
28.4 
(26.3) 
31.7 
6.1 
17.6 
10.0 
27.8 
38.8 
11.3 
10.7 
17.6 
29.8 

87 

All 

29.2 
(25.9) 
30.5 
6.1 
16.9 
9.9 
26.7 
37.8 
11.2 
10.3 
16.8 
28.1 

Relative gap in % 

-17.4 
(13.3) 
12.2 
30.6 
27.3 
5.4 
20.9 
7.9 
13.6 
23.3 
18.4 
21.1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

FR 
HR 
HU 
IT 
LT 
LU 
LV 
MT 
NL 
PL 
PT 
RO 
SE 
SI 
SK 

EU (26) 

19.5 
7.1 
5.8 
16.6 
9.6 
40.6 
7.8 
15.1 
26.1 
7.3 
10.5 
6.0 
19.6 
11.8 
5.7 

16.5 

23.0 
8.6 
7.2 
17.7 
10.3 
44.9 
9.0 
16.3 
31.2 
7.8 
12.3 
6.9 
22.5 
15.1 
5.7 

18.9 

22.2 
8.5 
6.9 
17.8 
10.2 
44.7 
8.4 
16.2 
29.6 
7.7 
12.1 
6.8 
22.1 
14.4 
5.7 

18.6 

15.3 
17.9 
18.9 
6.5 
6.8 
9.6 
13.7 
7.2 
16.2 
6.8 
15.2 
13.4 
12.6 
21.7 
0.1 

12.8 

Relative  gap:  100*(Persons  without  disabilities-Persons  with  disabilities)  /  (Persons  without 
disabilities) 
Note: The data are very sensitive to the age standardisation method. The estimates for persons with 
disabilities in Belgium and Luxembourg are associated with a relatively high standard error. The data 
in brackets for Austria are the results with a five-year age adjustment. Data on company size missing 
for Ireland. 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

Table 43: Hourly gross employee income, in EUR, 2019 
The data are age-adjusted (10-year age groups 2019). 
Employees aged 15–74 (public administration excluded). Age-adjusted. Companies 10+. 

AT 
BE 
BG 
CY 
CZ 
DE 
DK 
EE 
EL 
ES 
FI 
FR 
HR 
HU 
IE 
IT 
LT 
LU 
LV 
NL 
PL 
PT 
RO 
SE 
SI 
SK 

Persons with 
disabilities 
19.6 
21.1 
3.0 
9.5 
6.1 
17.3 
32.9 
7.6 
9.7 
10.3 
20.8 
16.3 
6.3 
4.9 
22.2 
15.8 
5.1 
27.3 
6.2 
24.4 
4.7 
8.0 
4.6 
14.9 
11.5 
5.7 

Persons without 
disabilities 
24.6 
29.2 
3.5 
13.2 
7.5 
19.6 
(31.3) 
7.6 
9.7 
13.0 
24.5 
22.4 
7.5 
4.5 
26.3 
15.5 
5.8 
38.7 
7.0 
27.6 
6.0 
9.6 
4.6 
20.7 
(11.1) 
5.6 

All 

24.0 
28.7 
3.5 
12.5 
7.2 
19.3 
31.9 
7.5 
9.7 
12.9 
23.3 
21.3 
7.0 
4.5 
26.0 
15.3 
5.7 
38.1 
6.7 
26.8 
5.7 
9.2 
4.6 
20.3 
11.7 
5.6 

Relative gap in 
% 
20.2 
27.9 
15.4 
27.6 
18.7 
11.8 
-5.1 
-0.3 
0.4 
20.7 
14.8 
27.5 
16.2 
-9.7 
15.6 
-1.6 
12.9 
29.5 
10.9 
11.7 
22.3 
16.5 
-0.5 
27.9 
-3.1 
-1.6 

EU (26) 

14.6 

16.0 

15.6 

8.7 

Relative  gap:  100*(Persons  without  disabilities-Persons  with  disabilities)  /  (Persons  without 
disabilities) 
Note: The data are very sensitive to the age standardisation method. The standard errors for DK and 
Slovenia are relatively high. 

88 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Data source: EU-SILC UDB 2019, release 1 2021.  

Table 44: Ratio of hourly gross employee income to national average, 2023 
The data are not age-adjusted. 
Employees aged 15–74 (public administration excluded). Companies employing 10+.  

Persons 
with 
disabilities 

Persons 
without 
disabilities 
EU-SILC 2019 

93.9 
93.1 
84.5 
91.2 
84.0 
86.6 
101.4 
98.2 
113.5 
97.7 
90.6 
95.6 
94.1 
93.5 
87.1 
111.7 
94.4 
91.8 
96.7 
- 
91.1 
88.4 
95.9 
95.2 
75.4 
85.5 
96.6 

99.4 
100.3 
110.3 
105.6 
104.2 
98.5 
101.5 
107.2 
111.0 
105.5 
97.6 
106.2 
110.4 
107.0 
99.0 
106.9 
104.4 
102.2 
114.9 
- 
96.7 
101.7 
106.8 
101.5 
99.5 
106.3 
103.2 

Gap 

5.5 
7.2 
25.8 
14.4 
20.2 
11.9 
0.0 
8.9 
-2.5 
7.8 
7.0 
10.7 
16.3 
13.4 
11.9 
-4.8 
10.0 
10.4 
18.2 
- 
5.5 
13.3 
10.9 
6.3 
24.1 
20.8 
6.6 

Persons 
with 
disabilities 

Persons 
without 
disabilities 
EU-SILC 2023 
101.7 
102.3 
110.6 
114.7 
109.7 
109.4 
104.0 
111.2 
105.4 
108.6 
93.3 
105.3 
111.2 
112.1 
- 
107.8 
104.4 
98.6 
113.4 
101.9 
101.9 
103.4 
116.6 
107.5 
97.0 
97.6 
101.8 

95.5 
102.2 
96.4 
93.6 
92.6 
94.8 
98.6 
93.8 
103.8 
98.0 
84.1 
105.1 
88.7 
87.3 
- 
97.4 
92.0 
102.6 
93.1 
80.0 
88.8 
97.8 
109.1 
97.7 
83.6 
82.1 
95.9 

Gap 

6.1 
0.1 
14.2 
21.2 
17.1 
14.7 
5.5 
17.5 
1.6 
10.6 
9.1 
0.1 
22.5 
24.8 
- 
10.4 
12.4 
-4.0 
20.3 
21.8 
13.0 
5.6 
7.4 
9.8 
13.4 
15.5 
5.8 

93.3 

102.7 

9.5 

97.1 

106.7 

9.6 

AT 
BE 
BG 
CY 
CZ 
DE 
DK 
EE 
EL 
ES 
FI 
FR 
HR 
HU 
IE 
IT 
LT 
LU 
LV 
MT 
NL 
PL 
PT 
RO 
SE 
SI 
SK 

EU 

Note: the national average is not weighted. All other data are weighted. 
Data source: EU-SILC UDB 

Statistical Classification of Economic Activities (NACE Rev. 2) 

A 
B 
C 
D 
E 

F 
G 
H 
I 
J 
K 
L 
M 
N 
O 
P 
Q 
R 

Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing 
Mining and Quarrying 
Manufacturing 
Electricity, Gas, Steam and Air Conditioning Supply 
Water Supply, Sewerage, Waste Management and Remediation 
Activities 
Construction 
Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles 
Transportation and Storage 
Accommodation and Food Service Activities 
Information and Communication 
Financial and Insurance Activities 
Real Estate Activities 
Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities 
Administrative and Support Service Activities 
Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security 
Education 
Human Health and Social Work Activities 
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation 

89 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

S 
T 
U 

Other Service Activities 
Activities of Households as Employers;  
Activities of Extraterritorial Organisations and Bodies 

Source: 
https://showvoc.op.europa.eu/#/datasets/ESTAT_Statistical_Classification_of_Economic_Activities
_in_the_European_Community_Rev._2.1._%28NACE_2.1%29/data.  

Table 45: Regressions with pooled data  
Dependent variable: (logarithm/ln of) hourly gross earnings, EU 27, 2023 
All coefficient estimates are significant at 1 % level. 
Sample: Employees aged 15–74 (public administration excluded). Companies employing 10+.  

OLS 
Not weighted 

OLS 
Weighted 

Heckman 
(two-step) 

OLS 
Weighted 

Heckman 
(two-step) 

Men (base=0) 

Women (=1) 

Age 

Age² 

Experience 

Experience² 

Ed Primary Base) 

Ed Upper Secondary 

Ed Tertiary 

Elementary (Base) 

Manager 

Professional 

Technician 

Clerical 

Service 

Agricultural 

Craft 

Plant Operators 

No disabilities (Base) 

Moderate disabilities 

Severe disabilities 

Constant 

Dummies for Countries 

-0.16 

0.02 

-0.16 

0.03 

-0.17 

0.02 

-0.0002 

-0.0003 

-0.0002 

-0.15 

-0.16 

- 

- 

- 

- 

0.02 

0.02 

0.01 

0.03 

0.03 

-0.0002 

-0.0002 

-0.0002 

-0.0004 

-0.0004 

0.17 

0.35 

0.63 

0.51 

0.35 

0.25 

0.09 

-0.07 

0.14 

0.15 

-0.06 

-0.11 
1.85 

0.17 

0.36 

0.58 

0.47 

0.31 

0.22 

0.05 

-0.06 

0.12 

0.13 

-0.06 

-0.10 
1.64 

0.15 

0.33 

0.62 

0.49 

0.33 

0.23 

0.09 

-0.06 

0.13 

0.14 

-0.05 

-0.09 
1.87 

0.17 

0.37 

0.58 

0.46 

0.30 

0.21 

0.05 

-0.07 

0.11 

0.13 

-0.05 

-0.10 
2.22 

0.16 

0.35 

0.63 

0.50 

0.34 

0.24 

0.09 

-0.07 

0.13 

0.15 

-0.05 

-0.11 
2.25 

R² 

Χ² 

Sample 

0.60 

0.56 

197 627 

197 627 

Not reported 

Selection 
equation 
- 

253 609 

211 477 
(196 323) 

0.52 

197 627 

Selection 
equation 
- 

259 266 

211 477 
(196 323) 

(two-step) 

selection  model 

OLS: Ordinary Least Squares 
Heckman 
(two-step):  Heckman 
https://www.stata.com/manuals/rheckman.pdf.  
Sample: In parenthesis, uncensored observations. 
Selection  equation:  The  dependent  variable  is  employment  –  unemployment.  The  independent 
variables used  are:  gender, age (for  personal  ability related to age),  education,  work  experience, 
occupational  qualifications,  health  status  (five  levels),  family  situation  (married,  never  married, 
separated, widowed and divorced), household size and dummies for countries. Gender, occupations 
and family situation are expressed as binary values (0/1). Alternative dependent variables have been 
used such as employment – not employment, including all relevant population. The results are similar 
to those presented above. 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

run  with  STATA.  See: 

Interpretation of regression results:   
A typical Mincer equation can be written as follows:  

90 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

ln(Wage) = α + β₀(Years of Education) + γ₀(Years of Experience) + δ(Other variables) + 
ε;  
where α = Constant term and ε = Error term.  
If β₀ = 0.05, this means that an additional year of education is associated on average with 
a wage increase of 5 %. In our case, we use education levels. In this case, we compare 
each level to a baseline level which  here is primary education. The education coefficient 
(x100) therefore measures the percentage increase in labour earnings when we pass from 
the  baseline  education  level  to  a  secondary  or  tertiary  education  level,  and  similarly  for 
occupations. 

Table 46: Returns by disability group  
Dependent variable:(logarithm/ln of) hourly gross earnings, EU 27, 2023 
All coefficient estimates are significant at 1 % level (unless otherwise indicated) 
Sample: Employees aged 15–74 (public administration excluded). Companies employing 10+.  
The selection equation is: 
Employed-Not employed 
Population 

The selection equation is: 
Employed-Unemployed 
Labour force concept 

Persons 
with 
disabilities 

Persons 
without 
disabilities 

Persons 
with 
disabilities 

Persons 
without 
disabilities 

Men (base=0) 

Women (=1) 

Age 

Age² 

Experience 

Experience² 

Ed Primary Base) 

Ed Upper Secondary 

Ed Tertiary 

Elementary (Base) 

Manager 

Professional 

Technician 

Clerical 

Service 

Agricultural 

Craft 

Plant Operators 

Constant 
Dummies for 
Countries 
Selection equation 
ρ (rho) 

σ (sigma) 

Χ² 

Sample 

dx/dy (average) 

Age 

Experience 

Other variables 

-0.14 

0.02 

-0.0001 

0.007 

-0.0001 

0.11 

0.27 

0.61 

0.49 

0.32 

0.24 

0.07 

**-0.05 

0.12 

0.12 
2.17 

-0.59 

0.56 

31 765 

33 758 
(29 137) 

0.015 

0.007 

-0.17 

0.03 

-0.0002 

0.014 

-0.0002 

0.17 

0.34 

0.62 

0.49 

0.33 

0.23 

0.09 

-0.06 

0.13 

0.15 
1.81 

-0.36 

0.52 

219 933 

177 687 
(167 186) 

0.025 

0.014 

-0.13 

*-0.01 

0.0002 

0.007 

-0.0001 

0.11 

0.26 

0.63 

0.51 

0.33 

0.26 

0.08 

**-0.01 

0.14 

0.14 
2.62 

-0.40 

0.56 

34 747 

55 190 
(29 137) 

-0.008 

0.007 

-0.16 

0.01 

-0.0001 

0.013 

-0.0002 

0.16 

0.34 

0.63 

0.50 

0.34 

0.23 

0.10 

-0.04 

0.14 

0.16 
2.04 

-0.28 

0.52 

244 796 

210 275 
(167 186) 

0.014 

0.013 

Not reported 

As above 

(two-step) 

run  with  STATA.  See: 

OLS: Ordinary Least Squares 
Heckman 
(two-step):  Heckman 
https://www.stata.com/manuals/rheckman.pdf.  
Sample: In parenthesis, uncensored observations. 

selection  model 

91 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Selection equation: There are two cases. In the first case, the dependent variable is employment – 
unemployment. In the second case, the dependent variable is employment  – not employment. In 
both  cases,  the  independent  variables  are:  gender,  age  (for  personal  ability  related  to  age), 
education, work experience, occupational qualifications, health status (five levels), family situation 
(married,  never  married,  separated,  widowed  and  divorced),  household  size  and  dummies  for 
countries. Gender, occupations and family situation are expressed as binary values (0/1). Alternative 
specifications  with  independent  variables  have  been  used  but  the  results  are  similar  to  those 
presented above. 
*: Significant at 5 % level. 
**: Not significant at 5 % level. 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

92 

 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

III: Fair working conditions 

7 

Employment rate 

7.1  Relevance to EU policy / strategy 

Article  27 of  the  UN CRPD,  which  covers  ‘Work  and  employment’,  states  notably  that 
‘States Parties recognize the right of persons with disabilities to work, on an equal basis 
with others; this includes the right to the opportunity to gain a living by work freely chosen 
or accepted in a labour market and work environment that is open, inclusive and accessible 
to persons with disabilities’. 

On 25 September 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted a Resolution on ‘Transforming 
our  world:  the  2030  Agenda  for  Sustainable  Development’.  Goal  8  recognises  the 
importance of sustained economic growth and high levels of economic productivity for the 
creation  of  well-paid  quality  jobs  and  more  efficient  production.  It  calls  for  providing 
opportunities  for  full  employment  and  decent  work  for  all.  Decent  employment  for  all, 
including women, persons with disabilities, youth, older people and migrants, is crucial for 
improving the wellbeing of society as a whole. 

The  EPSR,  under  the  ‘Equal  opportunities’  heading,  provides  that,  regardless  of  gender, 
racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, everyone has 
the right to equal treatment and opportunities regarding, notably, employment and social 
protection. 

The European Commission, in its Communication concerning the Strategy for the Rights of 
Persons  with  Disabilities  2021–2030,  notes  that  participation  in  employment  is  the  best 
way to ensure economic autonomy and social inclusion. It adds that monitoring progress 
in Member States will rely on improved statistical data collection on the situation of persons 
with disabilities. The Commission called on Member States to establish, by 2024, targets 
for increasing the employment rate of persons with disabilities and reducing employment 
rate gaps between persons with and without disabilities. 

The  European  Commission  set  out  strategic  guidance  for  the  implementation  of  the 
Recovery and Resilience Facility in its 2021 Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy (ASGS). 
Commission recommendations53 provide, notably, that Member States should outline the 
most important national challenges in terms of gender equality and equal opportunities for 
all, regardless of gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual 
orientation.  The  Commission  notes  that  everyone  has  the  right  to  equal  treatment  and 
opportunities regarding employment, social protection, education, and access to goods and 
services available to the public (principle 3 of the EPSR). 

7.2  Assessment and analysis of main results and their evolution 

7.2.1   Methodological issues 

The GALI indicator is included in the LFS survey every two years (in even years such as 
2022, 2024, etc.), while the EU-SILC survey collects GALI data annually. Consequently, in 
the following, we use the EU-SILC 2023 survey. 

Eurostat uses the ILO definition of employment and the LFS survey in order to monitor the 
EU 2030 employment target. According to that definition, employed persons are persons 
aged 15 years and over who, during the reference week, performed work, even for just 
one  hour  a  week.  The  EU-SILC  UDB  microdata  does  not  enable  us  to  elaborate  this 
indicator.  

53   European Commission (2021), Commission Staff Working Document – Guidance to Member States: 

Recovery and Resilience Plans, SWD(2021) 12 final, Part 1/2, 
https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-5538-2021-INIT/en/pdf. 

93 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Both  the  EU-SILC  and  the  LFS  survey  include  a  question  on  self-declared  current  main 
activity status (from 2021 operation onwards (PL032)). It distinguishes between: 

1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 
6. 
7. 
8. 

employed; 
unemployed; 
retired; 
unable to work due to long-standing health problems; 
student, pupil; 
fulfilling domestic tasks; 
compulsory military or civilian service; and 
other. 

It is important to note that individuals who worked just one hour during the reference week 
may  consider  themselves  unemployed  but  are  classified  as  employed  under  the  ILO 
definition.  As  a  result,  the  ILO  employment  rate  tends  to  be  higher  than  self-declared 
employment status. For this analysis, we use self-declared status. 

7.2.2  General comments 

The  following  analysis  discusses  the  EU-SILC  estimates  for  persons  with  and  without 
disabilities.  

In the EU 27 in 2023, about 54.6 % of persons with disabilities aged 20–64 were employed, 
compared to 76.6 % of persons without disabilities. The employment rate for all persons 
aged 20–64 was 72.4 %. The EU 2030 employment target is 78.0 %. 

At EU 27 level, about 26.4 million persons with disabilities (aged 20–64 and living in private 
households) were employed, out of 48.3 million persons with disabilities in the same age 
group. 

Table 47: Employment by disability status, aged 20-64, EU, 2023 

  Not employed 

Employed 

Millions (1 000 000) 

Persons without disabilities 

Persons with disabilities 

Total 

48.0 

21.9 

69.9 

Persons without disabilities 

Persons with disabilities 

Total 

Percentages (%) 

23.4 

45.4 

27.6 

157.3 

26.4 

183.7 

76.6 

54.6 

72.4 

Total 

205.3 

48.3 

253.6 

100 

100 

100.0 

Note: The data might present marginal differences from other tables due to rounding errors. 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

According to EU-SILC estimates, the employment rate of people with disabilities was very 
low  in  Croatia,  Bulgaria,  and  Greece,  in  ascending  order  of  employment  rate.  On  the 
contrary, the rate was relatively high in Estonia, Portugal and Latvia. 

Countries  with  similar  employment  rates  for  persons  without  disabilities  often  show 
significant and persistent differences in employment rates for persons with disabilities. This 
means that there is potential for increasing the employment rate of people with disabilities 
in countries with lower employment rates for persons with disabilities. 

94 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

In  the  EU 27  in  2023,  the  employment  rate  of  people  with  disabilities  was  about  22.0 
percentage points lower than the rate for people without disabilities. The relative difference 
was 28.7 %.54 The disability employment gap will be analysed below. The above gap relies 
on  self-assessed  economic  status.  The  employment  gap  below  relies  on  a  different 
definition. 

Figure 36: Employment rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-64, 
2023 
The employment rate is calculated by dividing the number of persons aged 20 to 64 in employment 
by the total population of the same age group. 

Note: Data for Luxembourg present a break in comparison to previous years. 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

7.2.3  Employment by gender  

In  the  EU 27,  about  51.8 %  of  women  with  disabilities  aged  20–64  were  employed, 
compared to 57.9 % of men with disabilities in the same age group. 

The  gender  gap,  defined  as  the  difference  in  employment  rates  between  men  with 
disabilities and women with disabilities, is 6.1 percentage points. 

54   Relative difference = 100*(% Persons without disabilities – % Persons with disabilities) / (% Persons 

without disabilities). 

95 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 37: Employment rate by disability and gender, aged 20-64, EU, 2023 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

The following figure shows that the largest gender gaps among persons with disabilities 
are in Romania (19.2 percentage points), Italy (21.6 percentage points), and Malta (22.4 
percentage points). 

In several Member States, the gender gap is extremely small or is reversed. 

Figure 38: Employment rate for persons with disabilities by gender and Member 
State, aged 20-64, 2023 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

7.2.4  Employment by degree  

Concerning the degree of disability, the employment rates for persons aged 20–64 in the 
EU  were  31.6 %  for  persons  with  severe  disabilities,  61.8 %  for  persons  with  moderate 
disabilities and 76.6 % for persons without disabilities. 

The countries with the highest employment rates for persons with severe disabilities were 
France (42.4 %), Slovenia (43.2 %) and Portugal (50.9 %). 

96 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 39: Employment rate by degree of disability and Member State, aged 20-
64, 2023 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

7.2.5  Evolution of employment in the Member States 

Both  persons  with  and  without  disabilities  experienced  an  increase  in  their  employment 
rates  between  2022  and  2023.  In  the  EU 27,  the  employment  rate  of  persons  with 
disabilities aged 20–64 increased by 0.3 percentage points between 2022 and 2023. For 
comparison, the respective employment rate increase for persons without disabilities was 
0.4 percentage points. 

Figure 40: Employment rate of persons with disabilities, aged 20-64 

Note: Data for Luxembourg and, to a lesser extent, for Bulgaria present a break in time series and 
ought to be treated with caution. 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

97 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

7.2.6  Evolution of employment at the EU level 

Since 2010, there has been a steady, gradual increase in the employment rate of persons 
with disabilities at EU level. The decline from 2014 to 2015 was the result of changes in 
the  German  questionnaire  concerning  disability  and  the  ensuing  breakdown  of  the 
statistical series. This correction ought to give a flat or slightly increasing employment rate 
for persons with disabilities between 2014 and 2016. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the employment rate decreased  in 2020. However, the 
reduction in hours worked and active policies to preserve jobs mitigated this decrease.55 
In addition, the SURE loan scheme56 helped to dampen the slowdown. 

In  2021,  the  question  on  self-assessed  economic  status  was  slightly  revised  (see 
metadata), which may have influenced the responses. Furthermore, the employment rate 
in Germany decreased sharply in 2020 and recovered gradually to find its 2019 level. This 
change at national level might have been influenced by the change in methodology in this 
Member State. Given the important weighting of Germany in the EU aggregate, this has 
magnified any improvement in the EU employment rate of persons with disabilities. 

Figure 41: Evolution of the employment rate of people with and without 
disabilities, aged 20-64 
Solid lines cover the EU 28 and dotted lines cover the EU 27. 

Data source: EU-SILC UDB (different years). 

The absolute disability employment gap (in percentage points) and the relative gap (as a 
percent) show a long tendency to decrease. 

7.3  Employment trends by disability degree 

The previous figure indicates a long-term increase in the employment rate of persons with 
disabilities. The question is whether this improvement has benefited persons with moderate 
and with severe disabilities. 

55   Anderton, R., Botelho, V., Consolo, A., Dias da Silva, A., Foroni, C., Mohr M. and Vivian, L, The impact of 

the COVID-19 pandemic on the euro area labour market, ECB Economic Bulletin, 8/2020, 
https://www.ecb.europa.eu/pub/economic-
bulletin/articles/2021/html/ecb.ebart202008_02~bc749d90e7.en.html.  

56   The SURE programme provides financial support in the form of loans granted on favourable terms from the 
EU to Member States to finance national short-time work schemes, and other similar measures to preserve 
employment and support incomes. See: European Commission press release, ‘Report confirms SURE's 
success in protecting jobs and incomes’, Brussels, 22 March 2021, 
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_1209. 

98 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

The following figure indicates that the improvement in employment concerns persons with 
moderate disabilities. The employment rate of persons with severe disabilities was stable 
between 2015 and 2023. The data are adjusted for changing age structures. 

Past measures in favour of the employment rate of persons with disabilities mainly benefit 
persons with moderate disabilities. This indicates that current policies need to be adapted 
to consider the specific needs of persons with severe disabilities. 

Figure 42: Evolution of the employment rate by degree of disability, age 20-64, 
EU 27 

Note: The estimations are  age-adjusted.  For the  age standardisation,  we have  used the  five-year 
age distribution of 2019 population. Due to age adjustment, the rates might be different from crude 
rates presented in the statistical tables. 
Data source: EU-SILC UDB (different years). 

7.4  Number of hours worked per week by disability degree 

The EU-SILC survey presents the number of hours a person usually works per week in their 
main  job  (PL060)  and  other  jobs  (PL100).  In  the  following,  we  add  all  hours  worked  in 
different jobs. 

In the following figure, we may note that in 2023 in the EU, nearly 49 % of workers without 
disabilities  usually  worked  between  40  and  less  than  45  hours  per  week.  This  rate  was 
41 % for persons with moderate disabilities and 32 % with severe disabilities. 

For completeness, we have created a supplementary category: persons receiving disability 
benefits and declaring  a severe disability. In this group, nearly 19 % of workers usually 
worked  between  40  and  less  than  45  hours  per  week.  This  group  presents  another 
characteristic. The proportion of persons who usually worked between 15 hours and less 
than  25  was  much  higher  compared  to  other  groups.  This  group  is  closer  to  traditional 
representations of persons with disabilities. Since they receive a disability benefit, we may 
conclude that they have a ‘recognised’ disability. 

We note that the share of workers who usually work less than 25 hours per week is about 
7 %  among  persons  without  disabilities,  and  about  38 %  among  persons  who  declare  a 
severe disability and receive a disability benefit. 

99 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 43: Distribution of usual weekly hours, workers aged 20-64, EU 27, 2023 
The distribution is by bands of 5 hours. The total for each group is equal to 100. 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

The  EU-SILC  2023  three-year  rolling  module  on  labour  market  and  housing  presents 
information  on  the  main  reason  for  working  fewer  than  30  hours  (PL120).  Among  the 
different reasons, ‘Personal illness or disability’, is an important variable for our analysis. 

The following table indicates that 60.2 % of workers with severe disabilities working fewer 
than 30 hours for all jobs declare that personal illness or disability is the main reason. We 
can restrict the sample to persons with severe disabilities receiving a disability benefit. This 
means that we focus on persons with severe disabilities having a recognised disability. In 
this case, about  87.6 % of persons with severe disabilities receiving a disability benefit 
declare personal illness or disability to be the main reason for working less than 30 hours. 

This  information  indicates  that  policies  aiming  to  provide  employment  for  persons  with 
severe disabilities  ought to focus  on part-time  jobs.  However, this does not  exclude the 
possibility of working fewer than 30 hours due to a lack of reasonable accommodations. 

Table 48: Main reason for working less than 30 hours, workers aged 20-64, EU 
2023 

Persons 
without 
disabilities 

Persons 
with 
moderate 
disabilities 

Persons 
with severe 
disabilities 

Persons 
with 
severe 
disabilities 
receiving a 
disability 
benefit 

4.5 

1.9 

2.2 

25.1 

1.5 

60.2 

0.0 

87.6 

22.5 

17.5 

11.6 

2.7 

100 

1 Undergoing education or 

training 

2 Personal illness or 

disability 

3 Wants to work more 

hours but cannot find a 
job(s) or work of more 
hours 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

4 Does not want to work 

more hours 

5 Number of hours in all 

job(s) are considered as a 
full-time job 

6 Housework, looking after 
children or other persons 

7 Other reasons 

16.8 

16.5 

14.0 

24.3 

15.9 

6.8 

17.2 

14.9 

6.7 

3.8 

8.4 

7.8 

1.6 

1.1 

2.8 

4.1 

Total 

100 

100 

100 

100 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

7.5  Job satisfaction 

The EU-SILC 2023 three-year rolling module on the labour market and housing presents 
job  satisfaction  (PW100).  Eurostat  notes  that  the  variable  refers  to  the  respondent’s 
opinion and feelings about the degree of satisfaction with their job. Respondents are asked 
to rate their satisfaction on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates ‘not at all satisfied’ and 
10 indicates ‘completely satisfied’. 

Concerning  persons  aged  20  to  64,  in  the  EU  27  in  2023,  the  average  score  is  7.5  for 
persons without disabilities, about 6.8 for persons with moderate disabilities and 6.3 for 
persons with severe disabilities. 

In the following figure, we present job satisfaction by disability status in the EU 27 in 2023. 
About 25 % of persons with disabilities declare a job satisfaction score of less than 6 over 
10. This share is 12 % for persons without disabilities. 

Figure 44: Distribution of job satisfaction scores, workers aged 20-64, EU 27, 
2023 
The total distribution for each group is equal to 100. 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

The analysis by Member State indicates that persons with disabilities attribute a lower job 
satisfaction  score  compared  to  persons  without  disabilities  in  all  countries,  except  in 
Ireland. The widest absolute gaps can be found in France (difference: 0.9), Croatia (0.9) 
and Germany (1.1). 

101 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 45: Average national job satisfaction scores by disability status, workers 
aged 20-64, EU 27, 2023 
The score varies from 0 to 10. 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

7.6  Statistical tables 

Table 49: Employment rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-64, 
2023 
The employment rate was calculated by dividing the number of persons aged 20 to 64 in employment 
by the total population of the same age group. The data were not seasonally adjusted. 

Disability 

Women 

Men 

Degree 

Disability 

Disability 

Yes 

No 

Total  Yes 

No 

Yes 

No 

Severe  Moderate 

AT 

BE 

51.1 

77.8 

71.2 

51.3 

70.9 

50.9 

84.4 

45.9 

78.4 

71.6 

46.7 

75.0 

44.8 

81.6 

24.6 

24.2 

BG  38.1 

79.5 

76.7 

41.7 

75.6 

34.7 

83.3 

9.1 

CY 

CZ 

53.4 

78.9 

75.5 

47.9 

74.3 

59.1 

83.9 

58.9 

83.6 

79.2 

55.0 

75.8 

63.5 

91.3 

DE 

52.4 

74.7 

70.2 

50.0 

69.0 

55.0 

80.3 

DK  58.9 

82.1 

74.4 

55.6 

79.3 

62.9 

84.7 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

62.3 

84.0 

78.7 

66.4 

81.1 

58.1 

86.8 

42.7 

68.6 

66.0 

37.8 

57.8 

48.1 

79.6 

57.9 

72.6 

69.1 

54.3 

67.2 

62.0 

77.9 

59.8 

80.4 

74.4 

60.8 

78.8 

58.5 

81.8 

FR 

56.0 

78.6 

73.8 

54.7 

74.9 

57.8 

82.2 

HR  35.2 

75.8 

69.0 

35.6 

70.5 

34.9 

81.3 

HU  51.8 

82.1 

78.0 

47.9 

76.3 

56.1 

87.8 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

44.1 

81.4 

75.3 

43.6 

75.1 

44.7 

87.7 

56.2 

70.8 

69.3 

44.9 

61.0 

66.5 

80.7 

47.7 

82.0 

76.0 

48.9 

79.9 

46.4 

84.3 

47.8 

74.8 

72.1 

44.9 

71.4 

51.6 

77.9 

64.6 

82.4 

77.0 

66.4 

78.9 

62.4 

86.1 

MT  59.2 

84.7 

82.7 

48.1 

76.5 

70.6 

91.4 

30.1 

30.0 

25.2 

36.4 

35.1 

33.5 

39.8 

33.0 

42.4 

15.8 

23.8 

18.8 

26.7 

17.6 

35.5 

34.0 

39.1 

60.9 

56.7 

44.1 

63.2 

68.6 

62.3 

64.7 

73.3 

48.9 

61.0 

64.6 

63.2 

41.0 

61.4 

51.9 

64.0 

55.2 

51.5 

70.7 

65.1 

Target 
2030 

16 June 
2022 
79.9 

80.0 

79.0 

80.0 

82.2 

83.0 

80.0 

81.3 

71.1 

76.0 

80.0 

78.0 

75.0 

85.0 

78.2 

73.0 

80.7 

77.6 

80.0 

84.6 

102 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

NL 

61.4 

84.9 

78.6 

59.0 

82.7 

64.3 

86.9 

PL 

PT 

46.6 

80.9 

75.6 

43.1 

73.6 

50.6 

89.0 

64.4 

80.8 

77.0 

66.1 

79.4 

62.2 

82.3 

29.0 

23.9 

50.9 

RO  49.3 

76.9 

72.5 

41.4 

66.5 

60.6 

86.7 

5.9 

SE 

SI 

57.7 

83.0 

78.0 

53.5 

79.9 

63.1 

85.6 

59.1 

78.9 

75.6 

61.7 

76.7 

56.8 

80.8 

SK 

61.2 

82.7 

78.1 

59.3 

77.4 

63.2 

87.7 

32.3 

43.2 

32.4 

67.5 

54.4 

67.7 

54.3 

64.1 

64.9 

69.3 

82.5 

78.3 

80.0 

74.7 

82.0 

79.5 

76.5 

EU  54.6  76.6  72.4  51.8  70.6  57.9  82.6 

31.6 

61.8 

78.0 

Target:  The  2030  EU  headline  targets  on  employment,  skills  and  poverty  reduction  have  been 
welcomed by EU leaders in Porto and at the June 2021 European Council meeting. State of play on 
the national targets for 2030 as of 16 June 2022.  
See: https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=89&furtherNews=yes&newsId=10299. 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

Table 50: Employment rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-64, 
2022 
The employment rate was calculated by dividing the number of persons aged 20 to 64 in employment 
by the total population of the same age group. The data were not seasonally adjusted. 

Disability 

Women 

Men 

Degree 

Disability 

Disability 

Yes 

No 

Total  Yes 

No 

Yes 

No 

Severe  Moderate 

AT 

BE 

53.2 

77.6 

71.8 

52.1 

69.1 

54.3 

86.0 

44.0 

79.0 

71.6 

44.3 

75.5 

43.6 

82.3 

BG  44.5 

77.4 

74.8 

45.6 

73.0 

43.5 

81.8 

CY 

CZ 

50.6 

77.7 

74.6 

46.0 

72.6 

55.4 

83.1 

58.9 

83.1 

78.9 

54.6 

75.4 

63.9 

90.5 

DE 

54.3 

77.5 

72.4 

52.5 

71.9 

56.3 

82.6 

DK  60.0 

81.0 

73.9 

54.4 

78.4 

67.0 

83.4 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

58.9 

85.0 

79.3 

63.1 

82.3 

54.8 

87.7 

40.0 

66.8 

64.1 

34.8 

56.2 

45.5 

77.5 

57.8 

72.2 

68.7 

54.1 

66.7 

62.0 

77.5 

59.4 

77.5 

72.6 

59.3 

75.3 

59.6 

79.3 

FR 

54.0 

76.0 

71.8 

52.8 

72.3 

55.4 

79.7 

HR  36.1 

74.1 

67.3 

36.0 

68.5 

36.2 

79.8 

HU  45.8 

79.6 

74.9 

38.6 

72.7 

54.0 

86.5 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

43.2 

80.4 

74.1 

41.3 

73.9 

45.2 

87.1 

54.4 

69.6 

67.7 

47.2 

58.9 

61.8 

80.3 

47.7 

84.0 

77.2 

49.2 

81.2 

46.0 

86.9 

66.2 

76.0 

73.6 

64.4 

68.8 

68.2 

82.6 

60.0 

83.1 

76.8 

61.0 

79.3 

58.7 

87.1 

MT  53.5 

82.7 

80.2 

41.1 

72.7 

67.1 

91.3 

NL 

60.6 

85.0 

78.4 

55.1 

83.4 

67.4 

86.5 

PL 

PT 

49.1 

80.1 

75.2 

43.4 

72.1 

55.6 

88.6 

65.0 

79.7 

76.1 

65.0 

76.9 

65.0 

82.5 

29.5 

19.8 

17.0 

32.1 

35.5 

27.4 

37.3 

36.7 

26.9 

37.5 

28.0 

37.6 

18.9 

18.6 

10.8 

27.9 

15.6 

46.4 

26.3 

41.9 

22.0 

26.4 

46.1 

RO  46.8 

77.2 

72.6 

36.9 

67.3 

59.4 

86.4 

3.9 

SE 

SI 

54.5 

82.7 

77.5 

53.8 

78.0 

55.5 

86.9 

56.6 

78.0 

74.6 

54.4 

74.9 

58.8 

80.8 

33.1 

49.8 

103 

60.6 

54.9 

49.7 

58.8 

66.9 

64.9 

65.8 

68.4 

49.3 

61.4 

66.6 

63.1 

40.9 

55.6 

52.9 

61.6 

54.6 

71.4 

67.2 

57.3 

67.2 

56.5 

69.2 

52.4 

60.1 

59.3 

Target 
2030 

16 June 
2022 
79.9 

80.0 

79.0 

80.0 

82.2 

83.0 

80.0 

81.3 

71.1 

76.0 

80.0 

78.0 

75.0 

85.0 

78.2 

73.0 

80.7 

77.6 

80.0 

84.6 

82.5 

78.3 

80.0 

74.7 

82.0 

79.5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

SK 

58.4 

82.1 

77.0 

55.2 

75.9 

61.8 

88.0 

34.1 

65.5 

76.5 

EU  54.3  76.3  72.1  51.0  69.9  58.1  82.5 

30.7 

61.7 

78.0 

Target:  The  2030  EU  headline  targets  on  employment,  skills  and  poverty  reduction  have  been 
welcomed by EU leaders in Porto and at the June 2021 European Council meeting. State of play on 
the national targets for 2030 as of 16 June 2022.  
See: https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=89&furtherNews=yes&newsId=10299. 
Data source: EU-SILC 2022 release 2023, version 2 (autumn release). 

Table 51: Employment rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-64, 
2021 
The employment rate was calculated by dividing the number of persons aged 20 to 64 in employment 
by the total population of the same age group. The data were not seasonally adjusted. 

Disability 

Women 

Men 

Degree 

Disability 

Disability 

Yes 

No 

Total 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

No 

Severe  Moderate 

AT 

BE 

50.7 

75.9 

70.2 

48.3 

68.1 

53.1 

83.5 

41.6 

78.1 

70.9 

41.3 

74.9 

41.8 

81.1 

BG 

51.2 

76.5 

73.9 

52.6 

71.5 

49.7 

81.3 

CY 

CZ 

48.6 

77.8 

74.2 

44.2 

72.8 

52.8 

83.2 

53.9 

81.5 

77.0 

46.6 

73.5 

61.7 

89.4 

22.5 

20.7 

25.1 

32.8 

27.9 

DE 

(47.7)  (76.6)  (71.5)  (45.8)  (71.6)  (49.6)  (81.5) 

: 

DK 

54.2 

78.7 

70.9 

52.7 

74.7 

56.2 

82.2 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

61.1 

82.1 

76.7 

63.3 

78.4 

58.7 

85.6 

38.1 

63.2 

60.5 

32.7 

52.5 

43.7 

74.1 

53.5 

70.4 

66.7 

50.2 

64.2 

57.4 

76.4 

53.9 

75.5 

70.6 

54.4 

72.8 

53.4 

77.8 

FR 

49.4 

74.3 

70.0 

48.5 

70.9 

50.5 

77.6 

HR 

40.9 

70.5 

64.5 

38.5 

63.6 

43.2 

77.3 

HU 

48.3 

78.1 

74.0 

47.0 

70.8 

49.7 

85.5 

30.7 

38.8 

25.3 

37.3 

29.0 

32.5 

20.2 

21.7 

34.7 

74.6 

68.3 

32.5 

67.9 

36.8 

81.5 

8.2 

54.4 

68.5 

66.7 

46.0 

57.4 

63.0 

79.4 

56.3 

80.8 

75.5 

57.6 

78.7 

55.0 

82.9 

59.1 

75.6 

71.9 

55.9 

70.2 

62.9 

80.4 

62.4 

81.0 

76.0 

64.0 

77.3 

60.5 

85.0 

MT 

48.8 

79.5 

76.2 

39.8 

69.5 

57.8 

88.2 

NL 

55.7 

84.1 

77.1 

52.3 

81.6 

59.6 

86.4 

PL 

PT 

43.8 

79.6 

74.2 

39.9 

71.8 

48.0 

88.0 

63.0 

78.7 

74.5 

61.6 

75.6 

64.7 

81.8 

30.2 

25.2 

42.5 

27.3 

36.2 

20.3 

21.8 

47.9 

RO 

45.3 

76.7 

71.5 

34.6 

65.5 

58.3 

87.1 

4.9 

SE 

SI 

56.9 

79.2 

75.4 

58.3 

75.0 

55.3 

83.0 

53.2 

76.9 

73.1 

57.2 

73.7 

49.3 

79.9 

SK 

56.7 

81.3 

75.7 

53.0 

75.7 

60.7 

86.6 

28.3 

37.9 

30.0 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

59.6 

52.4 

56.4 

56.5 

63.7 

: 

60.2 

69.4 

47.4 

56.6 

60.3 

58.1 

46.7 

57.2 

44.8 

61.5 

61.2 

64.4 

68.5 

52.5 

61.1 

52.5 

67.2 

51.8 

64.5 

59.0 

66.0 

Target 
2030 

16 
June 
2022 
79.9 

80.0 

79.0 

80.0 

82.2 

83.0 

80.0 

81.3 

71.1 

76.0 

80.0 

78.0 

75.0 

85.0 

78.2 

73.0 

80.7 

77.6 

80.0 

84.6 

82.5 

78.3 

80.0 

74.7 

82.0 

79.5 

76.5 

EU  50.9 

74.8 

70.6 

47.8 

68.3 

54.5 

81.2 

28.7 

58.2 

78.0 

Note:  Data  for  Germany  covering  labour  issues  are  indicative  due  to  a  high  non-response  rate. 
Furthermore, they do not distinguish moderate and severe disabilities. Data for Slovakia are missing 
and are completed using 2020 data. 

104 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Target:  The  2030  EU  headline  targets  on  employment,  skills  and  poverty  reduction  have  been 
welcomed by EU leaders in Porto and at the June 2021 European Council meeting. State of play on 
the national targets for 2030 as of 16 June 2022.  
See: https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=89&furtherNews=yes&newsId=10299. 
Data source: EU-SILC release 1 in 2023 (spring release). 

Table 52: Employment rate by disability status and Member State, age 20-64, 
2020 
The employment rate was calculated by dividing the number of persons aged 20 to 64 in employment 
by the total population of the same age group. The data were not seasonally adjusted. 

Disability 

Women 

Men 

Degree 

Disability 

Disability 

Yes 

No  Total 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

No  Severe  Moderate 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

53.9 

76.0 

70.2  49.9 

68.4 

57.7 

83.7 

41.6 

77.5 

70.2  41.1 

74.1 

42.2 

80.9 

43.6 

76.0 

73.2  43.7 

70.6 

43.5 

81.2 

52.3 

76.8 

73.1  45.4 

70.5 

59.0 

83.5 

55.5 

82.3 

77.1  51.6 

75.3 

61.8 

92.1 

45.2 

77.9 

72.1  42.3 

73.8 

48.1 

81.9 

59.5 

79.9 

73.6  53.7 

76.7 

66.4 

82.8 

61.0 

83.9 

78.4  63.1 

80.0 

58.8 

87.9 

33.9 

62.2 

59.3  28.3 

50.8 

39.6 

73.9 

46.4 

67.9 

64.2  43.8 

61.8 

49.5 

73.8 

59.6 

79.3 

73.2  60.6 

77.6 

58.5 

80.6 

50.8 

75.5 

70.8  49.8 

72.2 

51.9 

78.8 

36.9 

69.4 

62.7  35.8 

62.2 

38.0 

76.7 

47.8 

78.8 

74.1  47.2 

71.9 

48.6 

85.7 

34.8 

76.3 

69.5  33.1 

70.0 

36.7 

82.6 

49.9 

66.3 

64.3  41.3 

56.5 

59.0 

76.1 

57.5 

81.1 

75.7  57.1 

78.7 

57.9 

83.6 

51.7 

72.4 

67.9  49.6 

66.4 

54.5 

78.0 

62.2 

78.4 

73.7  64.0 

74.3 

59.9 

82.8 

MT 

46.1 

79.1 

76.2  35.4 

68.6 

57.2 

88.2 

NL 

PL 

PT 

59.5 

84.1 

78.3  56.2 

80.0 

63.7 

87.8 

44.8 

77.3 

72.0  43.4 

69.1 

46.4 

86.3 

58.7 

76.9 

72.8  57.8 

73.4 

59.8 

80.5 

RO 

46.8 

75.7 

71.2  40.2 

64.0 

55.3 

86.5 

SE 

SI 

SK 

53.9 

82.1 

79.1  53.5 

79.2 

54.4 

84.7 

53.3 

76.5 

72.7  54.6 

73.4 

52.1 

79.4 

56.7 

81.3 

75.7  53.0 

75.7 

60.7 

86.6 

25.9 

18.0 

17.2 

30.0 

29.8 

23.6 

35.1 

45.4 

25.7 

35.4 

30.8 

35.6 

20.9 

24.1 

15.5 

28.7 

21.9 

34.8 

30.5 

32.9 

24.8 

24.7 

46.3 

11.0 

39.0 

40.9 

30.0 

62.4 

53.1 

48.6 

60.1 

63.2 

59.5 

65.5 

67.0 

39.7 

48.7 

64.8 

58.7 

42.0 

56.0 

41.9 

56.0 

63.5 

58.5 

68.7 

49.4 

66.0 

51.8 

62.0 

54.7 

61.0 

58.9 

66.0 

Target 
2030 

16 June 
2022 
79.9 

80.0 

79.0 

80.0 

82.2 

83.0 

80.0 

81.3 

71.1 

76.0 

80.0 

78.0 

75.0 

85.0 

78.2 

73.0 

80.7 

77.6 

80.0 

84.6 

82.5 

78.3 

80.0 

74.7 

82.0 

79.5 

76.5 

EU 

49.7  74.1 

69.9  47.0  67.8  52.9  80.4 

29.2 

56.8 

78 

Note: Data for Germany are indicative. 
Data source: EU-SILC UDB release 1 in 2022, rev.1 (November 2022).  

105 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 53: Employment rate by disability status and Member State, age 20-64, 
2019 
The employment rate was calculated by dividing the number of persons aged 20 to 64 in employment 
by the total population of the same age group. The data were not seasonally adjusted. 

Disability 

Women 

Men 

Degree 

Disability 

Disability 

Yes 

No 

Total  Yes 

No 

Yes 

No 

Severe  Moderate 

AT 

BE 

54.6 

77.5 

71.1 

49.7 

70.0 

59.5 

85.0 

44.1 

77.3 

69.9 

42.1 

73.8 

46.2 

80.7 

26.3 

15.9 

BG 

40.2 

76.6 

73.4 

41.2 

72.5 

39.2 

80.7 

(14.7) 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

52.4 

77.4 

73.3 

48.2 

71.9 

56.6 

83.3 

55.2 

81.2 

76.2 

53.4 

73.2 

57.9 

91.8 

53.3 

82.2 

76.9 

51.1 

78.0 

55.7 

86.5 

DK 

60.1 

78.9 

73.6 

57.7 

76.6 

62.9 

81.2 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

64.9 

85.9 

80.2 

65.6 

82.4 

64.1 

89.3 

32.6 

62.8 

59.6 

28.9 

51.7 

36.7 

74.3 

39.0 

69.8 

66.1 

37.3 

63.3 

40.7 

76.3 

56.9 

77.8 

71.4 

60.1 

76.2 

53.2 

79.2 

56.9 

75.1 

71.7 

56.9 

71.2 

56.9 

79.2 

HR 

37.0 

71.0 

63.2 

35.8 

64.9 

38.2 

77.0 

HU 

50.2 

79.3 

74.4 

47.8 

73.2 

52.9 

85.3 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

32.6 

76.5 

70.6 

26.5 

71.5 

38.8 

81.7 

51.6 

68.6 

66.7 

43.7 

57.9 

59.8 

79.4 

53.9 

79.8 

74.2 

55.1 

77.8 

52.5 

82.0 

51.5 

73.1 

68.4 

48.6 

67.9 

55.1 

78.2 

60.8 

79.0 

73.7 

62.0 

74.2 

59.5 

84.2 

26.2 

27.2 

29.0 

38.4 

47.1 

21.3 

21.3 

33.2 

43.4 

22.5 

20.8 

17.7 

24.8 

18.2 

35.0 

35.9 

MT 

47.1 

75.8 

73.5 

34.4 

64.3 

60.2 

86.2 

(45.6) 

NL 

PL 

PT 

56.3 

83.1 

76.5 

53.6 

79.0 

59.7 

86.8 

43.3 

75.8 

70.4 

41.7 

67.9 

45.1 

85.0 

59.8 

79.1 

74.6 

58.3 

76.0 

62.1 

82.1 

22.9 

24.4 

42.0 

RO 

46.3 

74.3 

69.9 

38.3 

62.2 

56.9 

85.5 

(12.4) 

SE 

SI 

58.4 

82.4 

79.8 

58.7 

78.9 

58.1 

85.5 

55.0 

76.0 

71.4 

54.9 

72.8 

55.1 

78.9 

SK 

56.3 

79.4 

74.1 

53.1 

73.4 

60.1 

85.0 

44.6 

45.6 

30.1 

62.6 

58.4 

45.4 

60.8 

64.1 

64.3 

65.4 

71.8 

40.9 

42.7 

62.1 

63.6 

42.1 

60.5 

38.9 

58.4 

60.1 

58.2 

65.2 

47.5 

63.0 

50.3 

63.9 

54.3 

64.1 

58.6 

64.6 

EU  51.3  75.6  71.5  49.0  69.3  53.9  82.0 

29.8 

58.8 

Note: Data in parenthesis are indicative. 
Data source: EU-SILC UDB 2019, release 1 2021. 

Target 

EU 2020 

(77-78) 77 

73.2 

76 

(75-77) 75 

75 

77 

80 

76 

70 

74 

78 

75 

62.9 

75 

(69-71) 69 

(67-69) 67 

72.8 

73 

73 

70 

80 

71 

75 

70 

80 

75 

72 

75 

Table 54: Evolution of the employment rate of people with and without 
disabilities, EU, aged 20-64 

EU 28 

Persons 
with 
disabilities 
46.3 

Persons 
without 
disabilities 
71.6 

46.1 

46.4 

46.1 

46.0 

71.6 

73.9 

72.5 

72.0 

2006 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

All 
(28) 

Persons with 
disabilities 

EU 27 

Persons 
without 
disabilities 

All 
(27) 

66.8 

67.6 

68.7 

67.6 

67.2 

106 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

46.9 

47.9 

48.5 

48.7 

47.4 

48.1 

50.6 

52.0 

72.0 

71.5 

71.4 

72.5 

73.1 

73.9 

74.8 

76.2 

67.2 

67.0 

66.8 

67.7 

68.3 

69.3 

70.5 

71.8 

2011 

2012 

2013 

2014 

2015 

2016 

2017 

2018 

2019 

2020 

2021 

2022 

2023 

Data source: EU-SILC UDB.  

50.2 

50.8 

51.3 

49.7 

50.9 

54.3 

54.6 

73.6 

75.0 

75.6 

74.1 

74.8 

76.3 

76.6 

69.5 

70.7 

71.5 

69.9 

70.6 

72.1 

72.4 

107 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

8 

Unemployment rate 

8.1  Relevance to EU policy / strategy 

Unemployment may lead to poverty and social exclusion. The European Commission, in its 
Communication concerning the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021–
2030, notes that participation in employment is the best way to ensure economic autonomy 
and  social  inclusion.  It  adds  that  monitoring  progress  in  Member  States  will  rely  on 
improved statistical data collection on the situation of persons with disabilities. 

The UN Convention, in Article 27, which addresses ‘Work and employment’, stresses the 
promotion  of  ‘employment  opportunities  and  career  advancement  for  persons  with 
disabilities in the labour market as well as assistance in finding, obtaining, maintaining and 
returning to employment’. 

On 25 September 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted a Resolution on ‘Transforming 
our  world:  the  2030  Agenda  for  Sustainable  Development’.  Goal  8  recognises  the 
importance of sustained economic growth and high levels of economic productivity for the 
creation  of  well-paid  quality  jobs  and  more  efficient  production.  It  calls  for  providing 
opportunities  for  full  employment  and  decent  work  for  all.  Decent  employment  for  all, 
including women, persons with disabilities, youth, older people and migrants, is crucial for 
improving the wellbeing of society as a whole. 

The EPSR, under ‘Equal opportunities’ provides that, regardless of gender, racial or ethnic 
origin,  religion  or  belief,  disability,  age  or  sexual  orientation,  everyone  has  the  right  to 
equal treatment and opportunities regarding, notably, employment and social protection. 

8.2  Assessment and analysis of main results and their evolution 

8.2.1  Definitions of unemployment 

Eurostat uses the results of the Labour Force Survey (LFS) to monitor the unemployment 
rate in the EU. According to this approach, unemployed persons are persons who were not 
employed during the reference week, had actively sought work during the past four weeks 
and were available to begin working immediately or within two weeks.  

The EU-SILC does not include the same questions as the LFS. However, the EU-SILC and 
the  LFS  both  report  the  self-defined  economic  status.  In  the  following,  we  will  use  this 
answer to estimate unemployment rates. 

The ILO definition excludes individuals not actively seeking work from the labour market. 
Such individuals are classified as voluntarily economically inactive. 

For the above reason, by excluding from the analysis a considerable number of long-term 
unemployed persons, the ILO definition presents lower levels of unemployment rates. In 
previous  reports,  we  noted  that  among  these  unemployed  are,  notably,  persons  with 
disabilities. An extended period of unemployment might generate discouragement and lead 
people  to  stop  actively  searching  for  a  job;  consequently,  they  are  not  considered  as 
unemployed.  Long-term  unemployment  will  be  examined  in  more  detail  in  the 
corresponding section of this report. 

8.2.2  General comments 

In the following section, we analyse the results of the EU-SILC survey based on self-defined 
current economic status.  

In the EU 27 in 2023, the unemployment rate for persons with disabilities aged 20–64 was 
15.2 %, in comparison to 7.2 % of persons without disabilities in the same age group. The 
total unemployment rate was 8.4 %. 

108 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

In the EU 27, about 4.7 million persons with disabilities (aged 20–64) were unemployed, 
out of 31.0 million economically active persons with disabilities. 

Table 55: Unemployment rate by disability status, aged 20-64, EU 27, 2023 

Employed 

Unemployed 

Total 

Persons without disabilities 

Persons with disabilities 

 157.0  

 26.3  

 12.2  

 4.7  

 169.1  

 31.0  

In millions (1 000 000) 

Total 

 183.4    

 16.9    

 200.2    

In percentage (%) 

Persons without disabilities 

Persons with disabilities 

Total 

92.8 

84.9 

91.6 

7.2 

15.2 

8.4 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

The unemployment rate for persons with disabilities was significantly higher than the rate 
for persons without disabilities in all Member States. However, the national unemployment 
rates for persons with disabilities are correlated with the national unemployment rates of 
persons  without  disabilities  (R²=0.58).  This  means  that  national  characteristics  of  the 
labour  market  affect  both  persons  with  and  without  disabilities.  However,  there  are  still 
significant differences across Member States.  

There are notably high unemployment rates for persons with disabilities in Lithuania, Spain 
and Croatia (in ascending order). Comparable results were found in previous year. 

Figure 46: Unemployment rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-
64, 2023 
The unemployment rate represents unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force. 
The numbers present the unemployment rate of persons with disabilities. 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

109 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

8.2.3  Unemployment disability gap 

At  EU 27  level,  there  was  an  unemployment  disability  gap  of  8.0  percentage  points. 
However, this gap varied sharply across Member States. 

Given  the  relatively  small  number  of  observations  for  persons  with  disabilities,  and  to 
increase the reliability  of the  estimates,  we took the average gap  for the last two  years 
(2022–2023).  

We may note that the mean gap was relatively high in Lithuania, Austria and Croatia (in 
ascending order) while on the other hand, the mean gap was relatively low in Romania, 
Italy and Malta. 

Figure 47: Disadvantage of persons with disabilities concerning unemployment, 
aged 20-64, average 2022-2023, expressed in percentage points (pp.) 
Disadvantage = (unemployment rate of persons with disabilities) – (unemployment rate of persons 
without disabilities). 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

8.2.4  Unemployment rate by gender 

In  the  EU 27,  about  15.3 %  of  women  with  disabilities  aged  20–64  were  unemployed, 
compared  to  15.0 %  of  men  with  disabilities.  The  respective  rates  for  persons  without 
disabilities  were  7.8 %  (women)  and  6.7 %  (men).  However,  these  data  are  indicative, 
and slight differences ought to be treated with caution. 

Note the high unemployment rates of women with disabilities in Greece, Croatia and Spain 
(in ascending order). Comparable results were found in previous years. 

110 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 48: Unemployment rate of persons with disabilities by gender,  and 
Member State, aged 20-64, 2023 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

8.2.5  Unemployment rate by age group 

The  analysis  of  the  unemployment  rate  by  age  group  indicates  the  traditional  path  for 
persons with and without disabilities. The two shapes have been similar and stable these 
last two years.  

Due to small samples for persons with disabilities in the age group 16–24, the rates for 
this group ought to be treated with caution. 

Figure 49: Unemployment rate by disability status and age group, EU 27, 2023 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

For persons with disabilities, there are no significant differences between 2022 and 2023. 

Table 56: Unemployment rate by age group, EU 27 

Persons / Age 
group 

With disabilities 

Without disabilities 

With disabilities 

Without disabilities 

16-24 

25-34 

35-44 

45-54 

55-64 

16-64 

28.0 

16.6 

33.2 

19.4 

16.4 

8.9 

16.6 

9.0 

In %, 2023 
14.7 

13.0 

6.1 

5.3 

In %, 2022 
13.9 

12.8 

6.5 

5.6 

15.9 

6.7 

16.0 

7.2 

15.3 

7.4 

15.2 

7.8 

111 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

With disabilities 

Without disabilities 

33.8 

22.8 

18.4 

11.0 

In %, 2021 

16.4 

7.9 

16.7 

6.7 

18.6 

8.4 

18.0 

9.3 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

8.2.6  Unemployment rate by degree 

The unemployment rate increases in line with the degree of disability. The unemployment 
rate  for  persons  with  moderate  disabilities  aged  20-64  was  about  13.2 %,  compared  to 
25.8 % for persons with severe disabilities in the EU.  

Figure 50: Unemployment rate by degree of disability, aged 20-64, 2023 
The numbers present the unemployment rate of persons with severe disabilities. 

Note: For persons with severe disabilities, data for Bulgaria and Romania are not reliable due to an 
extremely small sample. Data for Ireland are based on a small sample and ought to be treated with 
caution. 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

8.2.7  Evolution at national level 

We observe an overall decrease in the unemployment rate for persons with disabilities in 
15 Member States, though in several cases the change is relatively small. In addition, the 
increase in the unemployment rate of persons with disabilities is relatively small in several 
Member States. Globally, at EU level, the change is marginal. 

In  summary,  between  2022  and  2023,  16  Member  States  experienced  a  change  of  less 
than one percentage point, which may not be considered statistically significant. 

112 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 51: Persons with disabilities, evolution of the unemployment rate by 
Member State, aged 20-64  
The changes are indicative. The unemployment rate represents unemployed persons as a percentage 
of the labour force. 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

8.2.8  Evolution at the EU level 

At EU 27 level, there has been a continuous decrease in the total unemployment rate since 
2013. Persons with disabilities have experienced a decrease in unemployment since 2015, 
although persons with severe disabilities experienced a more fluctuating rate. 

The  COVID-19  pandemic  has  reversed  this  trend.  However,  the  increase  in  the  total 
unemployment rate was relatively small, notably thanks to active policies to preserve jobs 
(e.g. the SURE scheme) and a reduction in hours worked during the pandemic. 

The  following  figure  shows  that  the  unemployment  rate  for  all  groups,  particularly  for 
persons  with  disabilities  aged  20–64  in  the  EU-27,  remained  stable  between  2022  and 
2023. 

Figure 52: Evolution of the unemployment rate for persons by disability status, 
aged 20-64, EU 
Solid lines cover the EU 28 and dotted lines cover the EU 27. 
The numbers present the unemployment rate of persons with severe disabilities. 

Note:  Changes between 2020,  2021  and  2022  are  indicative  due to  COVID-19  pandemic  and  the 
change in survey methodology in 2021. 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

113 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

8.3  Youth unemployment rate 

8.3.1  Introduction 

Youth unemployment is higher than general unemployment. This has led the EU to develop 
new policy instruments in favour of young people. 

All  EU  countries  committed  to  implement  the  reinforced  Youth  Guarantee  in  a  Council 
Recommendation of October 2020.57 The reinforced Youth Guarantee is a commitment by 
all  Member  States  to  ensure  that  all  young  people  under  the  age  of  30  receive  a  good 
quality  offer  of  employment,  continued  education,  and  an  apprenticeship  or  traineeship 
within a period of four months of becoming unemployed or leaving education. 

The  ‘Youth  unemployment  rate’  indicator  figures  among  the  secondary  indicators  in  the 
‘Fair working conditions’ field. It is part of the revised Social Scoreboard, which is aimed 
at monitoring the achievements of the EPSR Action Plan. 

It is interesting, therefore, to analyse the situation of youth with disabilities, and to assess 
whether  they  share  the  main  conditions  with  young  persons  without  disabilities,  and 
whether any gap between the two groups has increased or decreased over time. 

8.3.2  Youth unemployment rate 

In  the  EU 27  in  2023,  about  28.0 %  of  persons  with  disabilities  aged  16-24  were 
unemployed,  compared  to  16.6 %  of  persons  without  disabilities.  The  gap  was  11.4 
percentage points. The overall rate for youth unemployment was 17.5 %.  

The  relatively  small  sample  size  of  persons  with  disabilities  in  this  age  group  limits  the 
possibility of conducting further analysis. The sample of persons with disabilities aged 16–
24 in the EU 27 comprises only 3 391 observations. About 1 077 participate in the labour 
force.  Furthermore,  due  to  small  national  sample  sizes  (fewer  than  50  persons  with 
disabilities) and high non-response rate in certain countries, the data used here cover the 
EU 27 in 2023 and are merely indicative. 

In the figure on the following page, one may note that the unemployment rate of young 
persons with and without disabilities decreased significantly between 2022 and 2023 in the 
EU. 

In addition, the disability gap decreased from 14 percentage points to 11 percentage points 
between 2022 and 2023 in the EU. 

57   See https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1079&langId=en. 

114 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 53: Evolution of the unemployment rate for people with disabilities aged 
16-24 
Solid lines cover the EU 28 and dotted lines cover the EU 27. 
The numbers present the disability gap in percentage points (pp.). 

Note: Data for 2020 and 2021 for persons with disabilities are indicative. 
Data source: EU-SILC UDB. 

8.4  Long-term unemployment 

8.4.1  Introduction 

Long-term unemployment may have important negative impacts on unemployed persons, 
and long-lasting negative implications for the employability of job seekers. Long spells of 
unemployment can render certain skills obsolete and can increase the mismatch between 
a  person’s  current  skills  and  the  new  skills  required  by  technological  developments.  In 
addition,  this  can  push  unemployed  persons  to  leave  the  labour  force  rather  than 
continuing to search for a job.  

The  Commission  notes58  that  almost  half  of  unemployed  persons  are  still  long-term 
unemployed:  that  is,  unemployed  for  more  than  12  months.  It  considers  long-term 
unemployment  to  be  one  of  the  causes  of  persistent  poverty.  To  fight  long-term 
unemployment,  the  Commission  put  forward  a  proposal  for  a  recommendation  on  the 
integration of the long-term unemployed in the labour market, which was adopted by the 
Council in 2016. In April 2019, the Commission adopted a report on the implementation of 
a Council recommendation. The Council recommendation puts forward three key steps: 1. 
Encouraging  the  registration  of  long-term  unemployed  persons  with  an  employment 
service; 2. Providing each person registered as long-term unemployed with an individual 
in-depth assessment to identify their needs and potential, at 18 months of unemployment 
at the very latest; and 3. Offering a job integration agreement to all those registered as 
long-term unemployed, at 18 months at the very latest. 

Following  the  modifications  brought  into  the  EU-SILC  2021  survey,  the  EU-SILC  reports 
the duration of the most recent unemployment spell (PL271). The question covers persons 
aged 16 to 74. According to Eurostat (2021), the variable should capture the duration of a 
respondent’s most recent spell of unemployment during the last five years from the date 
of  the  interview.  If  the  person  is  currently  unemployed,  then  the  most  recent 
unemployment spell refers to the current one. 

The proposed question by Eurostat (2021) is: ‘Have you been unemployed during last 60 
months?’  (PL271_Q1);  if  ‘Yes’,  the  following  question  is:  ‘Considering  the  most  recent 

58   See https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1205&langId=en. 

115 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

unemployment spell, how many consecutive months have you been unemployed in the 60 
months preceding the date of the interview?’ (PL271_Q2). 

In the following, we consider only persons who declare  that they are unemployed at the 
time of the interview. This definition relies on self-defined economic status and might not 
correspond to the ILO definition of unemployment. In addition, for comparability reasons 
with previous rates and other tables, we focus on persons aged 20 to 64. 

8.4.2  Long-term unemployment rate by Member State 

The  long-term  unemployment  rate  used  here  expresses  the  number  of  long-term 
unemployed persons aged 20–64 as a percentage of the active population of the same age. 
This is not the share of long-term unemployed as a percentage of all unemployed. 

The long-term unemployment rate is a headline indicator in the  ‘Fair working conditions’ 
field of the EPSR Scoreboard. 

In the EU 27 in 2023,  about 6.9 % of  economically  active persons with disabilities aged 
20–64 were long-term unemployed, compared to 3.4 % of persons without disabilities. The 
total rate for EU was 4.0 %. 

The long-term unemployment rate of persons with disabilities was notably high in Spain, 
Greece and Croatia, in ascending order. The rates are close to zero in Denmark, Estonia 
and Romania. Comparable results were found last year. 

Figure 54: Long-term unemployment rate by disability status and Member State, 
aged 20-64, 2023 
The  long-term  unemployment  rate  used  here  expresses  the  number  of  long-term  unemployed 
persons  (for  12  months  and  more),  aged  20–64,  as  a  percentage  of  the  active  population  of  the 
same age. 
The numbers present the long-term unemployment rate of persons with disabilities. 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

8.4.3  Disability long-term unemployment gap 

In the EU 27, we observe a disability gap of about 3.5 percentage points. 

The highest gaps are observed in Spain, Slovenia and Croatia (in ascending order).  

116 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 55: Disability long-term unemployment gap by Member State, aged 20-
64, 2023 
Gap = % Persons with disabilities – % Persons without disabilities 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

8.4.4  Long-term unemployment rate by gender 

In the EU 27 in 2023, about 7.3 % of women with disabilities aged 20–64 were long-term 
unemployed. The equivalent rate for men with disabilities was 6.5 %.  

In the case of persons without disabilities, the rates are 3.8 % for women and 3.1 % for 
men. 

Small samples prevent the elaboration of robust estimates by gender in several Member 
States. 

Table 57: Unemployment rate by duration, gender and disability status, aged 
20-64, EU 26, 2022 
The rates refer to persons participating in the labour force, same sex, age and disability status. 

Employed 

Unemployed 
Less than 12 months 

Unemployed 
12 months or more 

Total 

Men 

Women 

Total 

Men 

Women 

Total 

Persons with disabilities 

85.0 

84.7 

84.9 

8.5 

8.0 

8.3 

Persons without disabilities 

93.3 

92.2 

92.8 

3.6 

4.0 

3.8 

6.5 

7.3 

6.9 

3.1 

3.8 

3.4 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

8.4.5  Long-term unemployment rate by degree of disability 

The long-term unemployment rate increases with the degree of disability. It was 3.4 % for 
persons without disabilities, 6.2 % for persons with moderate disabilities and 10.8 % for 
persons with severe disabilities. 

117 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

As noted, the data refer to self-declared economic status and might not correspond to ILO 
definitions of employment and unemployment. 

Table 58: Unemployment rate by duration and degree of disability, aged 20-64, 
EU, 2023 
The rates refer to persons participating in the labour force, same disability degree and age group. 
Total 

Employed 

Unemployed 
Less than 12 months 

Unemployed 
12 months or more 

No disability 

Moderate 

Severe 

Total 

92.8 

86.8 

74.3 

91.6 

3.8 

7.0 

14.9 

4.5 

3.4 

6.2 

10.8 

4.0 

100 

100 

100 

100 

Data source: EU-SILC 2022 release 2023, version 2 (autumn release). 

8.4.1  Evolution at the EU level 

Globally,  we  may  observe  an  improvement  in  the  situation  of  persons  with  moderate 
disabilities and of persons without disabilities.  The percentage  of long-term unemployed 
decreased between 2021 and 2023. On the contrary, the situation of persons with severe 
disabilities deteriorated or was stable between 2021 and 2023. 

In  fact,  the  long-term  unemployment  rate  of  persons  with  severe  disabilities  increased 
between 2021 and 2022, from 9.5 % to 11.5 %, and decreased slightly to 10.8 % in 2023. 

Figure 56: Unemployment rate by duration and degree of disability, aged 20-64, 
EU 
The rates refer to persons participating in the labour force, same disability degree and age group. 

Data source: EU-SILC (different years) 

118 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

8.5  Statistical tables 

Table 59: Unemployment rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-
64, 2023 
The unemployment rate represents unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force. The 
labour force is the total number of people employed and unemployed. The data are not seasonally 
adjusted. 

Disability 

Women 

Men 

Degree 

Disability 

Disability 

Disability 
gap in pp. 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

Yes 

No 

Total  Yes 

AT 

BE 

16.5 

9.9 

BG 

17.0 

CY 

CZ 

14.8 

12.8 

DE 

14.9 

DK 

11.6 

12.0 

4.4 

5.4 

9.8 

6.0 

3.2 

4.6 

3.4 

5.1 

6.8 

6.0 

14.1 

8.7 

10.1 

14.9 

6.9 

4.6 

6.3 

5.7 

6.5 

15.3 

15.0 

13.2 

10.3 

9.2 

No 

4.6 

5.2 

9.8 

6.5 

3.7 

4.4 

3.6 

4.7 

Yes 

19.0 

11.3 

19.4 

14.5 

10.4 

16.4 

13.0 

15.1 

No 

4.3 

5.5 

9.8 

5.5 

2.8 

4.6 

3.2 

5.4 

19.8  14.3 

14.7 

22.9  19.0  17.0  10.5 

22.8  14.3 

16.2 

25.4  16.4  19.9  12.6 

15.0 

17.9 

5.7 

9.1 

8.0 

14.1 

10.6 

18.9 

4.3 

9.7 

16.2 

16.5 

HR 

24.3  10.1 

11.5 

24.4  11.4  24.1 

HU  13.5 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

9.4 

9.8 

21.5 

11.2 

12.3 

2.8 

8.5 

9.3 

15.0 

RO 

1.4 

SE 

SI 

15.1 

17.9 

SK 

10.3 

4.9 

5.0 

8.7 

9.3 

3.8 

7.2 

2.2 

2.7 

4.3 

8.6 

1.1 

4.9 

6.1 

6.9 

5.7 

5.4 

8.8 

13.0 

8.5 

9.9 

10.8 

18.7 

4.3 

8.6 

2.2 

4.0 

4.8 

10.3 

10.0 

3.5 

5.9 

10.1 

10.0 

13.2 

1.1 

6.5 

7.8 

7.4 

0.1 

15.0 

15.3 

9.5 

4.8 

5.8 

9.1 

9.3 

3.5 

6.9 

2.5 

3.7 

5.0 

8.8 

0.4 

4.5 

7.1 

8.0 

14.0 

10.4 

9.8 

24.2 

12.2 

15.3 

2.3 

11.2 

8.5 

17.6 

2.6 

15.1 

20.3 

11.0 

6.8 

8.5 

8.9 

4.9 

4.3 

8.5 

9.2 

4.0 

7.5 

1.9 

1.7 

3.6 

8.4 

1.6 

5.1 

5.2 

5.9 

Severe  Moderate 

38.8 

12.7 

34.6 

21.3 

29.2 

36.5 

24.4 

20.0 

22.2 

29.5 

30.7 

21.8 

31.7 

17.1 

4.9 

16.9 

33.7 

14.8 

20.4 

6.9 

11.0 

13.0 

21.8 

3.9 

29.7 

22.1 

20.3 

11.8 

9.2 

16.1 

13.4 

9.7 

10.4 

9.4 

10.3 

18.7 

21.9 

13.2 

16.4 

23.3 

13.0 

9.9 

9.0 

20.3 

10.4 

11.5 

2.0 

8.3 

8.7 

13.7 

1.4 

12.8 

16.8 

8.7 

12.1 

4.5 

7.2 

8.9 

9.6 

10.3 

8.2 

7.0 

5.5 

8.4 

9.4 

8.8 

14.2 

8.6 

4.4 

1.1 

12.2 

7.4 

5.1 

0.6 

5.9 

5.0 

6.4 

0.3 

10.2 

11.8 

3.4 

EU  15.2  7.2 

8.4 

15.3  7.8  15.0  6.7 

25.8 

13.2 

8.0 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

119 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 60: Unemployment rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-
64, 2022 
The unemployment rate represents  unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force. The 
labour force is the total number of people employed and unemployed. The data are not seasonally 
adjusted. 

Disability 

Women 

Men 

Degree 

Disability 
gap in pp. 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

Disability 

Disability 

Yes 

No 

Total  Yes 

AT 

BE 

19.3 

12.9 

4.8 

4.9 

7.7 

6.0 

18.1 

10.8 

No 

5.6 

5.0 

Yes 

20.5 

15.4 

No 

4.1 

4.8 

BG 

15.3  11.4 

11.6 

15.6  11.6  15.0  11.2 

CY 

CZ 

16.1 

11.9 

DE 

14.6 

DK 

11.7 

11.8 

7.1 

3.2 

3.2 

4.0 

4.5 

7.9 

4.4 

5.3 

6.2 

5.8 

17.0 

13.3 

12.0 

12.3 

9.7 

7.8 

3.5 

3.0 

4.0 

3.6 

15.4 

10.5 

17.0 

11.0 

14.2 

6.4 

2.9 

3.4 

3.9 

5.3 

22.9  15.6 

16.1 

24.2  20.1  21.8  11.9 

20.9  14.1 

15.6 

23.5  15.9  18.1  12.6 

15.7 

17.5 

6.5 

9.5 

8.7 

14.9 

10.7 

16.7 

5.1 

9.3 

16.7 

18.4 

7.6 

9.6 

HR 

25.3  11.1 

12.7 

24.2  12.0  26.3  10.4 

HU  17.2 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

9.4 

13.2 

21.6 

4.2 

12.1 

6.1 

8.2 

9.6 

14.7 

RO 

2.2 

SE 

SI 

15.7 

19.3 

SK 

10.0 

5.5 

4.6 

9.8 

8.4 

2.9 

6.2 

1.8 

2.6 

4.5 

9.1 

1.5 

4.8 

7.0 

6.2 

6.6 

5.1 

21.6 

11.4 

5.4 

5.3 

13.2 

7.6 

10.2 

12.1  12.1  14.1 

10.1 

20.8 

3.2 

7.6 

2.0 

3.8 

5.1 

5.0 

10.7 

7.3 

6.1 

11.6 

10.3 

15.4 

1.6 

6.3 

8.6 

6.8 

0.9 

12.1 

23.2 

10.1 

8.7 

4.5 

6.3 

2.6 

3.0 

5.3 

9.5 

1.1 

5.2 

8.0 

6.7 

22.5 

3.4 

13.8 

5.3 

10.3 

7.8 

13.7 

3.2 

19.9 

15.5 

9.9 

5.6 

3.9 

8.1 

8.1 

1.6 

6.2 

1.2 

2.2 

3.9 

8.8 

1.8 

4.4 

6.1 

5.8 

Severe  Moderate 

39.4 

17.2 

27.5 

13.6 

21.9 

33.3 

24.8 

19.2 

28.0 

30.6 

43.6 

23.4 

37.3 

32.7 

37.6 

22.0 

34.0 

10.9 

21.5 

10.6 

22.6 

15.0 

23.0 

29.7 

26.5 

19.6 

11.6 

15.0 

12.2 

14.4 

16.7 

9.8 

10.4 

9.3 

10.0 

20.6 

19.7 

11.5 

15.3 

23.3 

14.8 

6.9 

12.0 

20.7 

3.0 

11.2 

5.0 

7.2 

8.7 

13.3 

1.8 

13.9 

19.2 

9.7 

14.5 

8.1 

3.9 

9.0 

8.7 

11.3 

7.7 

7.3 

7.3 

6.8 

9.2 

8.0 

14.1 

11.7 

4.9 

3.4 

13.2 

1.3 

5.9 

4.3 

5.6 

5.1 

5.6 

0.7 

11.0 

12.3 

3.8 

EU  15.1  7.6 

8.7 

15.1  8.3  15.2  6.9 

26.4 

13.1 

7.6 

Data source: EU-SILC 2022 release 2023, version 2 (autumn release). 

120 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 61: Unemployment rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-
64, 2021 
The unemployment rate represents unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force. The 
labour force is the total number of people employed and unemployed. The data are not seasonally 
adjusted. 

Disability 

Women 

Men 

Degree 

Disability 

Disability 

Disability 
gap in pp. 

Yes  No 

Total  Yes  No 

Yes  No 

Severe  Moderate 

AT 

BE 

20.7 

6.8 

17.0 

5.8 

9.4 

7.2 

21.3 

6.8 

20.2 

6.8 

13.8 

5.3 

20.5 

6.2 

BG 

13.6  12.8 

12.9 

13.2  13.6  14.0  12.2 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

21.2 

14.8 

19.1 

DK 

17.0 

8.5 

4.1 

4.5 

5.9 

12.8 

7.0 

9.7 

5.4 

6.5 

8.9 

8.2 

19.4  10.0  22.5 

18.1 

4.6 

11.8 

15.4 

16.8 

4.3 

6.6 

22.3 

17.2 

7.1 

3.7 

4.8 

5.4 

11.9 

7.0 

13.7 

7.0 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

NL 

PL 

PT 

27.4  19.4 

20.0 

32.1  24.4  23.4  15.3 

24.3  16.2 

17.8 

26.3  19.1  22.1  13.8 

21.2 

9.4 

11.7 

19.9 

21.5  10.5 

12.0 

20.5 

8.4 

9.9 

22.6  10.1 

22.8  11.1 

HR 

24.6  14.3 

15.8 

24.0  16.8  25.1  12.1 

HU 

13.5 

20.1 

6.5 

9.9 

7.1 

10.9 

7.4 

16.2 

10.8 

20.7  10.6  19.5 

5.7 

9.4 

13.9  11.6 

11.9 

12.3  13.4  15.1  10.3 

19.7  10.5 

12.1 

19.9  10.1  19.5  10.9 

MT 

8.2 

5.7 

12.5 

11.1 

11.8 

3.5 

8.2 

2.4 

3.0 

5.2 

3.9 

9.2 

2.8 

4.5 

5.8 

7.5 

10.0 

11.9 

10.0 

11.8 

4.1 

8.4 

1.8 

3.3 

6.3 

3.8 

15.5 

5.5 

12.2 

11.8 

17.1  10.3 

11.9 

18.6  11.7  15.1 

RO 

4.2 

SE 

SI 

15.7 

20.8 

SK 

12.5 

1.6 

7.8 

8.1 

6.6 

1.9 

8.9 

9.8 

7.7 

3.0 

12.1 

0.8 

7.2 

5.0 

19.9 

21.1 

9.8 

20.5 

13.4 

6.5 

11.6 

3.0 

8.1 

2.8 

2.6 

4.1 

9.0 

2.1 

8.2 

6.6 

6.7 

45.7 

23.0 

26.5 

23.6 

29.0 

: 

29.3 

19.2 

36.4 

30.2 

39.3 

28.3 

40.0 

28.0 

45.8 

18.3 

30.4 

9.8 

22.4 

4.2 

21.9 

18.9 

23.4 

27.1 

26.7 

35.0 

21.1 

16.1 

15.6 

12.2 

20.4 

11.9 

: 

15.1 

11.3 

23.2 

23.5 

18.2 

19.3 

22.2 

11.2 

17.3 

13.2 

18.9 

4.8 

11.7 

9.0 

10.5 

10.5 

15.7 

3.7 

14.2 

16.3 

10.9 

13.9 

11.2 

0.7 

12.6 

10.7 

14.5 

11.1 

5.8 

8.0 

8.0 

11.8 

11.0 

10.4 

7.0 

10.1 

2.3 

9.2 

2.3 

4.3 

5.8 

8.2 

6.6 

6.8 

2.6 

8.0 

12.7 

5.9 

EU  17.9  9.1 

10.3  17.7  9.9  18.0  8.4 

27.4 

16.1 

8.8 

Note:  Data  for  Germany  are  indicative  due  to  a  high  number  of  missing  values.  The  data  do  not 
report disability by degree. Data for Slovakia refer to 2020. 
Data source: EU-SILC release 1 in 2023 (spring release). 

121 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 62: Unemployment rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-
64, 2020 
The unemployment rate represents unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force. The 
labour force is the total number of people employed and unemployed. The data are not seasonally 
adjusted. 

Disability 

Women 

Men 

Degree 

Disability 

Disability 

Yes 

18.8 

16.5 

No 

7.7 

6.0 

Total  Yes 

10.2 

17.8 

7.4 

14.4 

No 

8.8 

6.1 

Yes 

19.6 

18.6 

No 

6.8 

5.9 

AT 

BE 

BG 

18.2  12.5 

12.8 

18.4  13.4  18.0  11.8 

19.6  10.1 

11.3 

20.8  12.1  18.7 

13.4 

22.6 

10.9 

3.1 

5.3 

5.4 

5.6 

4.7 

7.6 

7.1 

6.6 

13.8 

20.7 

14.1 

9.0 

3.7 

4.6 

6.1 

5.3 

12.8 

24.3 

9.4 

13.0 

DK 

11.8 

8.3 

2.4 

5.8 

4.8 

5.8 

28.6  19.9 

20.4 

31.3  24.7  26.6  16.0 

28.4  18.9 

20.2 

30.9  21.6  25.5  16.6 

15.7 

17.2 

7.3 

9.8 

9.6 

13.5 

5.6 

18.3 

10.9 

16.6  10.0  18.0 

8.5 

9.7 

HR 

28.7  16.0 

17.8 

28.1  19.0  29.2  13.4 

HU 

11.6 

20.1 

5.1 

6.9 

5.8 

8.1 

11.4 

16.1 

5.2 

6.1 

11.8 

23.5 

5.0 

7.6 

17.7  15.2 

15.5 

16.6  16.5  18.5  14.2 

17.3 

15.1 

14.7 

9.7 

6.5 

11.8 

8.9 

7.1 

9.6 

2.3 

3.2 

6.0 

10.4 

16.2 

8.5 

15.2 

10.9 

12.9 

2.8 

3.8 

6.6 

6.6 

5.9 

12.4 

8.2 

7.1 

9.3 

2.2 

3.9 

7.3 

18.5 

15.0 

16.9 

11.6 

7.3 

11.1 

9.5 

7.0 

9.9 

2.4 

2.6 

4.8 

20.3  11.8 

13.5 

21.2  12.9  18.9  10.8 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

2.1 

SE 

SI 

SK 

22.4 

20.1 

12.5 

2.0 

6.4 

7.8 

6.6 

2.0 

7.8 

9.5 

7.7 

0.5 

21.6 

19.9 

13.4 

1.2 

6.5 

8.6 

6.5 

3.6 

23.3 

20.2 

11.6 

2.6 

6.4 

7.1 

6.7 

Severe  Moderate 

42.9 

24.7 

17.0 

28.8 

24.0 

40.0 

22.7 

10.2 

31.6 

28.9 

32.3 

25.2 

43.5 

23.4 

25.9 

22.0 

23.5 

28.7 

24.2 

15.9 

13.5 

19.5 

24.7 

2.3 

30.2 

30.7 

21.1 

14.3 

14.9 

18.3 

17.7 

11.6 

16.3 

10.1 

11.1 

27.2 

28.3 

13.9 

14.3 

25.6 

9.5 

19.2 

17.0 

16.9 

11.0 

13.7 

8.6 

6.0 

10.4 

19.3 

2.1 

19.7 

16.1 

10.9 

Disability 
gap in pp. 

11.1 

10.5 

5.7 

9.5 

10.3 

17.4 

6.4 

5.4 

8.8 

9.5 

8.5 

7.4 

12.6 

6.5 

13.2 

2.5 

8.5 

8.1 

5.1 

7.4 

3.4 

5.8 

8.4 

0.1 

16.0 

12.3 

5.9 

EU 

17.7  10.1  11.2  17.6  11.0  17.9  9.4 

27.4 

15.7 

7.6 

Note: Data for Germany are indicative. 
Data source: EU-SILC release 1 in 2022, rev.1. 

122 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 63: Unemployment rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-
64, 2019 
The unemployment rate represents  unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force. The 
labour force is the total number of people employed and unemployed. The data are not seasonally 
adjusted. 

Disability 

Women 

Men 

Degree 

Disability 

Disability 

Severe 

Moderate 

Yes 

18.3 

16.4 

16.2 

20.7 

12.6 

20.1 

12.7 

8.7 

31.1 

30.0 

18.0 

16.9 

27.9 

12.4 

20.1 

16.8 

16.4 

13.4 

15.2 

3.7 

7.2 

13.4 

17.6 

2.5 

16.6 

20.5 

13.2 

No 

5.7 

5.3 

11.8 

9.3 

3.3 

3.5 

5.7 

4.2 

19.5 

17.0 

7.2 

8.7 

13.9 

4.9 

7.7 

11.5 

9.9 

4.6 

8.0 

1.4 

2.6 

6.6 

9.6 

2.0 

5.0 

7.7 

8.1 

Total 

Yes 

8.8 

7.0 

12.0 

10.8 

4.7 

6.0 

7.4 

5.2 

20.3 

18.1 

10.1 

10.0 

16.1 

5.8 

8.5 

12.0 

11.0 

6.2 

9.9 

1.6 

3.5 

7.4 

11.2 

2.1 

6.0 

10.1 

9.0 

16.0 

15.3 

15.8 

21.0 

11.9 

20.1 

10.9 

6.7 

34.4 

33.4 

13.3 

15.6 

27.1 

11.9 

19.8 

17.7 

12.3 

13.4 

14.1 

0.0 

7.0 

12.9 

17.8 

1.3 

14.9 

20.3 

14.6 

No 

6.2 

5.4 

11.4 

10.0 

3.9 

3.6 

5.5 

4.0 

24.0 

19.2 

6.0 

9.7 

16.2 

5.5 

6.3 

12.9 

8.4 

4.3 

7.9 

1.4 

3.1 

8.2 

10.5 

1.3 

5.2 

9.1 

7.8 

Yes 

20.2 

17.4 

16.6 

20.5 

13.5 

20.0 

14.5 

10.6 

28.0 

26.5 

23.5 

18.4 

28.5 

12.9 

20.3 

16.0 

21.0 

13.4 

16.5 

5.8 

7.4 

13.8 

17.2 

3.6 

18.8 

20.8 

11.7 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

No 

5.3 

5.3 

40.5 

33.3 

12.2 

(28.9) 

8.6 

2.7 

3.4 

5.9 

4.4 

15.9 

15.2 

8.1 

7.8 

11.8 

4.4 

8.8 

10.5 

11.4 

4.9 

8.1 

1.4 

2.2 

5.2 

8.8 

2.5 

4.8 

6.4 

8.3 

33.8 

31.5 

37.5 

21.3 

13.0 

39.4 

44.1 

31.3 

25.0 

39.2 

33.4 

26.6 

21.8 

25.2 

28.8 

21.0 

(0.0) 

4.5 

16.2 

22.0 

(5.1) 

21.9 

28.8 

22.7 

14.5 

13.3 

15.2 

18.5 

9.2 

15.3 

11.3 

7.5 

27.3 

28.1 

16.2 

13.7 

25.3 

8.9 

18.7 

16.2 

15.9 

8.5 

14.6 

4.6 

7.4 

12.9 

16.9 

2.4 

15.0 

17.7 

11.6 

EU 

17.3 

8.3 

9.5 

17.0 

9.1 

17.6 

7.6 

29.3 

14.8 

Note: Data in parentheses are indicative. 
Data source: EU-SILC UDB 2019, release 1 2021. 

123 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 64: Evolution of unemployment rate by disability status, aged 20-64, EU 

EU 28 

EU 27 

Disability 

All 
persons 
with 
disabilities 
16.6 

16.1 

15.9 

17.3 

18.0 

17.4 

18.1 

19.0 

19.6 

20.2 

19.6 

17.1 

16.7 

Severe 

23.3 

22.6 

26.7 

28.1 

28.2 

28.0 

27.6 

28.1 

29.8 

29.9 

28.5 

27.0 

28.4 

2006 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

2014 

2015 

2016 

2017 

2018 

2019 

2020 

2021 

2022 

2023 

All 

No 
disability 

Total  Severe 

Disability 

All 
persons 
with 
disabilities 

All 

Total 

No 
disability 

8.6 

8.0 

7.1 

9.0 

9.8 

10.2 

11.2 

11.8 

11.3 

10.8 

10.1 

9.1 

8.0 

9.7 

9.1 

8.4 

10.2 

10.9 

11.2 

12.2 

13.0 

12.6 

12.1 

11.4 

10.2 

9.2 

29.7 

32.8 

29.3 

27.4 

27.4 

26.4 

25.8 

18.4 

18.6 

17.3 

17.7 

17.9 

15.1 

15.2 

9.9 

8.8 

8.3 

10.1 

9.1 

7.6 

7.2 

11.1 

10.1 

9.5 

11.2 

10.3 

8.7 

8.4 

Data source: EU-SILC UDB. 

Table 65: Evolution of youth unemployment rate by disability status, aged 16-
24, EU 

EU 28 

EU 27 

Persons with 
disabilities 
19.9 

Persons without 
disabilities 
16.7 

Persons with 
disabilities 

Persons without 
disabilities 

20.6 

22.4 

28.5 

25.4 

24.5 

27.6 

28.8 

32.7 

29.7 

29.4 

24.6 

16.2 

16.0 

21.8 

23.5 

22.4 

24.2 

25.5 

24.1 

23.3 

21.9 

19.4 

2006 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

2014 

2015 

2016 

2017 

2018 

2019 

2020 

2021 

2022 

2023 

Data source: EU-SILC UDB. 

33.0 

26.4 

26.7 

25.4 

29.6 

33.8 

33.2 

28.0 

124 

25.1 

21.8 

20.5 

19.7 

24.8 

22.8 

19.4 

16.6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 66: Structure of the unemployment rate by Member State, aged 20-64, 
2023 
The unemployment rate expresses the number of unemployed aged 20–64 as a percentage of the 
active population of the same age. 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

Employed 

93.2 

94.0 

89.9 

93.1 

95.4 

93.7 

94.3 

93.5 

85.3 

83.8 

92.0 

89.4 

88.5 

94.3 

94.6 

91.2 

89.2 

95.7 

91.4 

97.8 

96.1 

95.2 

90.1 

98.9 

93.5 

92.2 

92.6 

All persons 

Unemployed 
<12 months 
6.2 

Unemployed 
>=12 months 
0.6 

2.7 

2.2 

3.6 

1.9 

5.4 

5.7 

6.3 

3.4 

7.1 

5.9 

6.4 

3.3 

2.9 

2.3 

3.0 

6.2 

3.1 

3.8 

1.5 

3.4 

2.5 

3.0 

0.9 

3.9 

2.7 

2.3 

3.3 

7.9 

3.3 

2.7 

0.9 

0.0 

0.2 

11.3 

9.1 

2.2 

4.2 

8.2 

2.8 

3.2 

5.9 

4.6 

1.2 

4.8 

0.7 

0.6 

2.3 

6.9 

0.3 

2.6 

5.1 

5.1 

Total 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

Total 

91.6 

4.5 

4.0 

100 

Note: ‘< 12 months’ stands for less than 12 months. Marginal differences might appear in comparison 
to previous tables. The sample might be different here due to missing values related to the question 
on unemployment duration. 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

125 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 67: Structure of the unemployment rate by disability and Member State, 
aged 20-64, 2023 
The unemployment rate expresses the number of unemployed persons aged 20–64 as a percentage 
of the active population of the same age. 

Persons with disabilities 
Unempl. 
>=12 m 
2.0 

Unempl. 
<12 m 
14.5 

Employed 

83.5 

90.1 

83.0 

85.2 

87.2 

85.2 

88.4 

88.0 

80.2 

77.3 

85.0 

82.1 

75.7 

86.5 

90.6 

90.2 

78.5 

88.8 

87.7 

97.3 

91.5 

90.7 

85.0 

98.6 

85.0 

82.1 

89.7 

3.6 

4.2 

5.9 

5.8 

11.6 

11.6 

11.6 

2.5 

8.4 

10.3 

10.6 

4.9 

5.8 

4.7 

3.4 

6.3 

12.8 

8.9 

7.0 

3.2 

0.0 

0.4 

17.4 

14.3 

4.8 

7.3 

19.3 

7.7 

4.8 

6.5 

11.5 

10.0 

6.9 

4.5 

1.1 

7.0 

4.3 

4.1 

0.9 

7.5 

4.5 

2.7 

4.3 

7.9 

1.6 

1.6 

5.0 

11.0 

0.5 

7.5 

13.4 

7.6 

Persons without disabilities 

Total  Employed 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

95.6 

94.6 

90.2 

94.0 

96.8 

95.5 

96.6 

95.0 

85.7 

85.7 

94.3 

90.9 

89.9 

95.1 

95.0 

91.3 

90.7 

96.2 

92.8 

97.8 

97.4 

95.7 

91.4 

98.9 

95.2 

93.9 

93.1 

Unempl. 
<12 m 
4.2 

Unempl. 
>=12 m 
0.2 

2.6 

2.1 

3.3 

1.3 

4.1 

3.4 

4.9 

3.5 

6.7 

4.4 

5.6 

3.1 

2.6 

2.0 

2.9 

5.5 

2.8 

3.5 

1.5 

2.4 

2.3 

2.7 

0.9 

3.2 

2.4 

2.2 

2.8 

7.7 

2.7 

1.9 

0.5 

0.0 

0.2 

10.8 

7.6 

1.3 

3.5 

7.0 

2.2 

3.0 

5.8 

3.8 

1.0 

3.7 

0.7 

0.3 

2.0 

5.9 

0.3 

1.6 

3.7 

4.6 

Total 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

8.3 

84.9 

Total 

100 
Note: ‘< 12 m’ stands for less than 12 months. Marginal differences might appear in comparison to 
previous tables. The sample might be different here due to missing values related to the question on 
unemployment duration. 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

92.8 

100 

3.4 

6.9 

3.8 

126 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 68: Structure of the unemployment rate by Member State, aged 20-64, 
2022 
The unemployment rate expresses the number of unemployed aged 20–64 as a percentage of the 
active population of the same age. 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

Employed 

92.3 

94.0 

88.4 

92.2 

95.6 

94.7 

93.8 

94.2 

83.9 

84.4 

91.3 

89.3 

87.3 

93.4 

94.9 

89.8 

89.9 

96.8 

92.4 

98.0 

96.2 

94.9 

89.7 

98.5 

93.7 

91.4 

93.2 

All persons 

Unemployed 
<12 months 
6.8 

Unemployed 
>=12 months 
1.0 

2.6 

2.9 

3.6 

1.7 

4.2 

6.2 

3.6 

3.2 

6.4 

5.7 

7.5 

2.9 

2.9 

1.3 

3.3 

6.0 

2.6 

3.9 

1.4 

2.5 

1.8 

8.8 

0.9 

3.9 

2.6 

2.8 

3.4 

8.7 

4.3 

2.7 

1.1 

0.0 

2.2 

12.9 

9.2 

3.1 

3.2 

9.8 

3.7 

3.8 

6.9 

4.1 

0.6 

3.7 

0.6 

1.3 

3.3 

1.5 

0.7 

2.4 

6.1 

4.1 

Total 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

Total 

91.3 

4.4 

4.3 

100 

Note: ‘< 12 months’ stands for less than 12 months. Marginal differences might appear in comparison 
to previous tables. The sample might be different here due to missing values related to the question 
on unemployment duration. 
Data source: EU-SILC 2022 release 2023, version 2 (autumn release). 

127 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 69: Structure of the unemployment rate by disability and Member State, 
aged 20-64, 2022 
The unemployment rate expresses the number of unemployed persons aged 20–64 as a percentage 
of the active population of the same age. 

Persons with disabilities 
Unempl. 
>=12 m 
2.6 

Unempl. 
<12 m 
16.7 

Employed 

80.7 

87.1 

84.7 

83.9 

88.1 

85.5 

88.4 

88.2 

77.2 

79.1 

84.3 

82.5 

74.8 

82.8 

90.6 

86.8 

78.4 

95.8 

87.9 

93.9 

91.8 

90.4 

85.3 

97.8 

84.3 

80.7 

90.0 

4.3 

4.6 

5.3 

3.5 

11.0 

11.7 

5.3 

4.4 

6.7 

8.9 

11.7 

5.4 

6.4 

2.1 

4.1 

13.7 

3.3 

6.5 

4.1 

4.1 

2.8 

12.5 

1.4 

9.1 

4.5 

3.3 

8.6 

10.8 

10.8 

8.4 

3.5 

0.0 

6.6 

18.5 

14.2 

6.8 

5.8 

19.9 

10.8 

7.3 

9.1 

7.9 

0.9 

5.6 

2.0 

4.1 

6.8 

2.1 

0.8 

6.7 

14.8 

6.7 

Persons without disabilities 

Total  Employed 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

95.2 

95.1 

88.6 

92.9 

96.8 

96.8 

96.0 

95.5 

84.4 

85.9 

93.5 

90.5 

88.9 

94.5 

95.4 

90.2 

91.6 

97.1 

93.8 

98.2 

97.5 

95.5 

90.9 

98.5 

95.3 

93.1 

93.8 

Unempl. 
<12 m 
4.2 

Unempl. 
>=12 m 
0.5 

2.3 

2.8 

3.4 

1.4 

2.7 

4.0 

3.2 

3.1 

6.3 

4.6 

6.8 

2.6 

2.6 

1.2 

3.2 

4.8 

2.3 

3.1 

1.2 

2.1 

1.6 

7.8 

0.8 

3.0 

2.2 

2.7 

2.6 

8.6 

3.7 

1.8 

0.6 

0.0 

1.3 

12.4 

7.8 

1.9 

2.7 

8.5 

3.0 

3.4 

6.6 

3.6 

0.6 

3.1 

0.5 

0.5 

2.9 

1.3 

0.7 

1.7 

4.7 

3.6 

Total 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

7.8 

84.9 

Total 

100 
Note: ‘< 12 m’ stands for less than 12 months. Marginal differences might appear in comparison to 
previous tables. The sample might be different here due to missing values related to the question on 
unemployment duration. 
Data source: EU-SILC 2022 release 2023, version 2 (autumn release).  

92.4 

100 

3.8 

3.8 

7.3 

128 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 70: Structure of the unemployment rate by Member State, aged 20-64, 
2021 
The unemployment rate expresses the number of unemployed persons aged 20–64 as a percentage 
of the active population of the same age. 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

Employed 

90.6 

92.8 

87.1 

90.3 

94.6 

93.5 

91.1 

91.8 

80.0 

82.2 

88.4 

88.0 

84.2 

92.9 

89.2 

88.2 

87.9 

96.1 

90.8 

97.2 

95.5 

94.2 

88.1 

98.1 

91.2 

90.2 

Total 

89.6 

All persons 

Unemployed 
<12 months 
9.0 

Unemployed 
>=12 months 
0.4 

2.9 

5.2 

4.5 

2.6 

5.0 

8.8 

8.2 

4.3 

6.3 

8.5 

10.1 

4.4 

4.3 

4.4 

0.8 

7.5 

2.3 

4.6 

2.0 

2.9 

2.3 

10.2 

1.0 

5.5 

3.0 

5.1 

4.4 

7.7 

5.2 

2.8 

1.5 

0.1 

0.1 

15.7 

11.5 

3.2 

1.9 

11.3 

2.9 

6.5 

11.1 

4.7 

1.6 

4.6 

0.9 

1.6 

3.5 

1.7 

0.9 

3.4 

6.8 

5.3 

Total 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

Note: ‘< 12 months’ stands for less than 12 months. Marginal differences might appear in comparison 
to previous tables. The sample might be different here due to missing values related to the question 
on unemployment duration. 
Data source: EU-SILC release 1 in 2023 (spring release). 

129 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 71: Structure of the unemployment rate by disability and Member State, 
aged 20-64, 2021 
The unemployment rate expresses the number of unemployed persons aged 20–64 as a percentage 
of the active population of the same age. 

Persons with disabilities 
Unempl. 
>=12 m 
1.1 

Unempl. 
<12 m 
19.6 

Employed 

79.3 

83.0 

86.4 

78.9 

85.2 

80.9 

83.0 

87.2 

72.6 

75.8 

78.8 

78.5 

75.4 

86.5 

79.9 

86.1 

80.3 

94.3 

87.5 

91.8 

88.9 

88.2 

82.9 

95.8 

84.3 

79.2 

5.7 

7.0 

6.5 

5.6 

13.8 

16.9 

12.6 

5.7 

7.3 

15.1 

18.0 

4.7 

5.4 

6.6 

0.4 

10.5 

3.8 

6.2 

5.9 

7.4 

4.5 

14.2 

1.7 

7.2 

4.0 

11.3 

6.6 

14.7 

9.2 

5.3 

0.1 

0.2 

21.7 

17.0 

6.1 

3.5 

19.9 

8.0 

13.4 

13.5 

9.2 

2.0 

6.3 

2.3 

3.7 

7.3 

2.9 

2.5 

8.5 

16.8 

Persons without disabilities 

Total  Employed 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

93.2 

94.2 

87.2 

91.5 

95.9 

95.5 

94.1 

93.0 

80.6 

83.8 

90.6 

89.5 

85.7 

93.5 

90.1 

88.4 

89.5 

96.5 

91.8 

97.6 

97.1 

94.8 

89.7 

98.4 

92.3 

91.9 

Unempl. 
<12 m 
6.5 

Unempl. 
>=12 m 
0.3 

2.4 

5.1 

4.3 

2.2 

3.6 

5.9 

7.0 

4.2 

6.1 

6.9 

8.8 

4.4 

4.1 

4.1 

0.8 

6.8 

2.0 

4.1 

1.7 

1.9 

2.1 

9.0 

1.0 

5.2 

2.8 

3.3 

7.8 

4.2 

1.9 

0.9 

0.0 

0.0 

15.2 

10.2 

2.5 

1.7 

9.9 

2.4 

5.8 

10.8 

3.7 

1.5 

4.1 

0.7 

1.1 

3.1 

1.4 

0.7 

2.5 

5.3 

Total 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

9.5 

82.0 

Total 

100 
Note: ‘< 12 m’ stands for less than 12 months. Marginal differences might appear in comparison to 
previous tables. The sample might be different here due to missing values related to the question on 
unemployment duration. 
Data source: EU-SILC release 1 in 2023 (spring release). 

90.9 

100 

4.8 

8.5 

4.4 

130 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 72: Structure of the unemployment rate by Member State, aged 20-64, 
2020 
The unemployment rate expresses the number of unemployed persons aged 20–64 as a percentage 
of the active population of the same age. 

  Unemployed ILO <12  Excluded 

Long-term unemployed ILO (>=12) 

Total 

All persons 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

3.2 

2.4 

3.5 

4.8 

1.7 

1.7 

3.5 

3.4 

3.8 

7.2 

2.9 

3.3 

4.6 

2.1 

1.9 

3.9 

4.3 

4.8 

4.6 

1.4 

1.8 

1.8 

4.3 

0.2 

3.5 

2.4 

2.8 

3.2 

1.2 

2.3 

2.4 

0.8 

1.2 

1.6 

1.6 

1.5 

3.0 

2.2 

1.9 

2.8 

1.6 

1.1 

2.5 

0.6 

0.6 

2.9 

1.3 

1.2 

1.4 

2.0 

0.4 

2.3 

2.0 

0.6 

Total 

3.4 

1.9 

Data source: EU-SILC UDB release 1 in 2022, rev.1. 

3.8 

3.8 

7.0 

4.1 

2.1 

4.7 

2.0 

1.7 

15.1 

10.0 

4.5 

5.7 

10.5 

2.1 

5.1 

9.1 

5.6 

3.1 

3.4 

0.0 

0.8 

3.3 

7.2 

1.4 

2.1 

5.1 

4.3 

5.9 

10.2 

7.4 

12.8 

11.3 

4.7 

7.6 

7.1 

6.6 

20.4 

20.2 

9.6 

10.9 

17.8 

5.8 

8.1 

15.5 

10.4 

8.5 

10.9 

2.8 

3.8 

6.6 

13.5 

2.0 

7.8 

9.5 

7.7 

11.2 

131 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 73: Structure of the unemployment rate by disability status and Member 
State, aged 20-64, 2020 
The unemployment rate expresses the number of unemployed aged 20–64 as a percentage of the 
active population of the same age and disability status. 

Persons without disabilities 

Persons with disabilities 

  Unemployed 

ILO <12 

Excluded 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

2.8 

2.2 

3.5 

4.8 

1.6 

1.7 

3.3 

3.0 

3.8 

7.2 

2.5 

3.3 

4.7 

2.0 

1.6 

3.9 

4.0 

4.8 

4.2 

1.2 

1.6 

1.8 

4.3 

0.2 

3.3 

2.4 

2.6 

2.4 

1.1 

2.3 

2.3 

0.5 

1.0 

1.0 

1.2 

1.5 

2.7 

1.7 

1.7 

2.6 

1.4 

0.9 

2.5 

0.4 

0.5 

2.5 

1.1 

1.1 

1.2 

1.6 

0.4 

1.7 

1.8 

0.5 

Long-term 
unemployed 
ILO (>=12) 
2.6 

2.8 

6.8 

3.0 

1.0 

2.6 

1.1 

1.4 

14.5 

9.0 

3.0 

4.8 

8.8 

1.6 

4.4 

8.9 

4.5 

1.8 

2.9 

0.0 

0.5 

3.0 

5.9 

1.4 

1.4 

3.6 

3.4 

EU 

5.1 
Data source: EU-SILC release 1 in 2022, rev. 1. 

3.3 

1.7 

Unemployed 
ILO <12 

Excluded 

4.8 

4.2 

4.9 

4.8 

2.7 

2.0 

4.2 

5.1 

3.5 

7.5 

3.9 

3.3 

3.9 

3.0 

4.3 

4.0 

5.5 

5.0 

5.8 

4.6 

3.0 

2.0 

4.5 

0.1 

5.0 

2.5 

3.4 

5.9 

2.0 

3.3 

2.8 

2.4 

2.9 

3.1 

2.9 

1.8 

4.5 

3.4 

3.0 

4.0 

2.8 

3.0 

2.7 

1.4 

1.2 

4.1 

5.1 

1.6 

3.1 

3.5 

0.3 

7.9 

3.5 

0.8 

3.9 

3.1 

Long-term 
unemployed 
ILO (>=12) 
8.1 

10.4 

10.1 

12.1 

8.3 

17.8 

4.5 

3.0 

23.4 

16.4 

8.5 

11.0 

20.8 

5.9 

12.7 

11.0 

10.5 

8.9 

4.8 

0.0 

1.9 

6.7 

12.3 

1.8 

9.5 

14.1 

8.3 

10.7 

132 

 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

9 

Activity rate 

9.1  Relevance to EU policy / strategy 

Participating  in  the  labour  market  is  a  prerequisite  for  a  job  that  ensures  economic 
independence,  fosters  personal  achievement  and  offers  the  best  protection  against 
poverty.  

In  their  assessment  of  the  Europe  2020  Strategy,  the  Employment  Committee  and  the 
Social  Protection  Committee  (SPC)  noted  that  unemployment  and  economic  inactivity 
remain  very  high  in  some  countries,  notably  among  a  number  of  groups  who,  despite 
recent progress, continue to be under-represented in the labour market: women, persons 
with  a  migrant  background,  the  low-skilled,  youth,  older  workers  and  persons  with 
disabilities.59  

The Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030 notes that the EPSR60 
serves as a compass for employment and social policies. Principle 17 of the Pillar underlines 
that persons with disabilities have the right to income support that ensures they can live 
in dignity; services that enable them to participate in the labour market and in society; 
and a work environment adapted to their needs. 

9.2  Assessment and analysis of main results and their evolution 

9.2.1  General comments 

In  the  EU 27,  about  64.4 %  of  persons  with  disabilities  were  participating  in  the  labour 
market (employed or unemployed),  compared  to 82.6 % of persons without disabilities. 
The total rate was 79.1 %.  

It is important to note that the above rates rely on self-declared status. For comparison, 
the indicators used by Eurostat rely on the LFS survey and the ILO definition. 

In the EU 27, about 31.1 million persons with disabilities (aged 20-64) were economically 
active, out of 48.3 million persons with disabilities in the same age group. 

Table 74: Activity rate by disability status, aged 20-64, 2023 

  Economically inactive 
(Not in the labour force) 

In millions (1 000 000) 

Economically active 
(Employed or 
unemployed) 

Total 

205.3 

48.3 

Persons without disabilities 

Persons with disabilities 

Total 

35.8 

17.2 

52.9 

In percentages (%) 

Persons without disabilities 

Persons with disabilities 

Total 

17.4 

35.6 

20.9 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

169.5 

31.1 

200.6 

253.6 

82.6 

64.4 

100.0 

100.0 

79.1 

100.0 

59   European Commission, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (2019), 

Assessment of the Europe 2020 strategy: joint report of the Employment Committee (EMCO) and Social 
Protection Committee (SPC), Publications Office. 

60   Interinstitutional Proclamation on the European Pillar of Social Rights, 2017/C 428/09, 13 December 2017, 

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32017C1213(01)&from=EN. 

133 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

The activity rate for persons with disabilities was particularly low in Bulgaria, Croatia and 
Ireland,  while  it  was  relatively  high  in  Latvia,  Spain  and  Portugal,  in  ascending  order. 
Comparable results were found for 2022. 

Figure 57: Activity rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-64, 2023 
Percentage of the population (same age group) that is employed or unemployed. 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

9.2.2  Disability activity gap 

At  EU 27  level,  there  was  a  significant  difference  between  persons  with  and  without 
disabilities.  The  absolute  activity  gap  amounted  to  18.2  percentage  points.  The  relative 
difference was 22.0 %. 

The  activity  gap  was  notably  high  in  Ireland,  Croatia  and  Bulgaria,  in  ascending  order, 
whereas  it  was  relatively  low  in  Spain,  Slovenia  and  Portugal.  Comparable  results  were 
found for 2022. 

Figure 58: Activity gap, aged 20-64, 2023 
Gap = (Activity rate of people without disabilities %) – (Activity rate of people with disabilities %). 
The gap is expressed in percentage points (pp.). 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

134 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

9.2.3  Activity rate by gender 

Women  with  disabilities  face  a  double  disadvantage.  The  activity  rate  of  persons  with 
disabilities was lower compared to persons without disabilities. Furthermore, the activity 
rate of women with disabilities (61.1 %) was lower than the rate for men with disabilities 
(68.2 %). 

The following figure shows that Romania, Croatia and Ireland (in ascending order) had the 
lowest employment rates for women with disabilities, while Estonia, Latvia, and Portugal 
had the highest rates. 

Figure 59: Persons with disabilities, activity rate by gender and Member State, 
aged 20-64, 2023 
Percentage of the population (same sex and age group) that is employed or unemployed. 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

9.2.4  Activity rate by age 

The evolution of the activity rate by age group follows a similar shape for persons with and 
without  disabilities.  However,  the  gap  increases  with  age  in  both  absolute  and  relative 
terms.  

The  activity  rate  of  persons  with  disabilities  increased  slightly  for  all  age  groups.  We 
observed an upward shift in this curve.  

Figure 60: Activity rate by age group and disability status, EU 25, 2023 
Percentage of the population (same age group) that is employed or unemployed 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

135 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

9.2.5  Activity rate by degree 

The degree of disability is inversely related to the activity rate. In the EU 27, the activity 
rates for persons without disabilities, with moderate disabilities and with severe disabilities 
were 82.6 %, 71.2 % and 42.6 % respectively. 

Romania,  Bulgaria  and  Ireland  presented  the  lowest  rates  for  persons  with  severe 
disabilities, whereas Slovenia, Spain and Portugal presented the highest rates, in ascending 
order. 

Figure 61: Activity rate by degree of disability and Member State, aged 20-64, 
2023 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

The data indicate that countries with similar activity rates for persons without disabilities 
presented big differences in their respective activity rates for people with disabilities. This 
means  that  there  is  potential  for  increasing  the  activity  rate  of  persons  with  disabilities 
through the transfer  of  experience from  one  country to another, notably concerning the 
provision of technical aids and work adaptations. 

The national activity rates for persons with severe disabilities are not correlated with the 
national activity rates for persons without disabilities (R²=0.04). It could be argued that 
the general national context of economic activity does not determine the activity rate of 
persons with severe disabilities. This might be an indication that their activity rate depends 
more on specific factors relating to disability such as mobility barriers, the availability of 
work adaptations, and technical aids. National policies in these domains might determine 
the activity rate of persons with severe disabilities. Comparable results were found in the 
past and were presented in previous annual reports. 

This might indicate that persons with disabilities, notably persons with severe disabilities, 
might not benefit from a general improvement in the labour market if they do not have the 
necessary support for work adaptations and technical aids. 

9.2.6  Evolution at national level 

In the EU 27, between 2022 and 2023, the activity rate of persons with disabilities aged 
20–64 increased from 64.0 % to 64.4 %. The activity rate of persons without disabilities 
remained unchanged.  

136 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 62: Evolution of the activity rate of persons with disabilities, by Member 
State, aged 20-64 
Percentage of the population (same age group) that is employed or unemployed. 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

National evolutions were very different across the 27 Member States. 

As noted previously, the annual variations in the national activity rates of persons with and 
without disabilities are not correlated (or are marginally correlated). The following graph 
helps us to visualise this for 2022–2023. 

Figure 63: Relative change in the activity rate between 2022 and 2023 by 
disability status, aged 20-64 
Change = 100*(Activity rate 2021-Activity rate 2020)/Activity rate 2020. 

Note: The data for Luxembourg and, to a lesser extent, for Bulgaria are indicative. 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

9.2.7  Evolution at the EU level 

At EU 27 level, activity rates for various groups have shown a continuous increase since 
2010. The apparent decrease in the activity rate between 2014 and 2015 was due to the 
change in the definition of disability in Germany and Italy.  

137 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

The  upward  trend  in  activity  rates  was  disrupted  in  2020  by  the  COVID-19  pandemic. 
Additionally, a change in methodology caused a discontinuity in Germany's data series for 
2020, which impacted the EU aggregate. 

Compared  to  the  situation  in  2018–2019  before  the  COVID-19  pandemic,  persons  with 
moderate  disabilities  increased  their  activity  rate,  while  persons  with  severe  disabilities 
recovered their previous situation. 

The  disability  activity  gap  between  persons  with  moderate  disabilities  and  without 
disabilities decreased, while the gap between persons with severe disabilities and without 
disabilities remained stable. 

Figure 64: Evolution of the activity rate of people with disabilities, EU, aged 20-
64 
Dotted lines cover the EU 27. 

Data source: EU-SILC UDB (different years). 

9.3  Statistical tables 

Table 75: Activity rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-64, 2023 
Percentage of the population (same age group) that is employed or unemployed. 
The data are not seasonally adjusted. 
Disability 

Degree 

Disability 
gap in pp. 

AT 

BE 

Yes 
No 
61.2  81.4 

Total  Yes 
76.4 

Women 
Disability 
No 

Men 
Disability 
No 
Yes 
59.8  74.3  62.8  88.2 

50.9  82.9 

76.1 

51.2  79.1  50.5  86.4 

BG 

46.0  88.2 

85.3 

49.0  83.9  43.1  92.3 

CY 

CZ 

62.6  83.9 

81.1 

56.5  79.5  69.1  88.7 

67.6  86.4 

83.0 

64.7  78.7  70.9  94.0 

DE 

61.5  78.3 

74.9 

57.6  72.2  65.8  84.2 

DK 

66.7  85.0 

78.9 

62.0  82.2  72.2  87.5 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

70.8  88.4 

84.1 

73.0  85.1  68.5  91.7 

53.3  80.1 

77.4 

49.0  71.4  58.0  88.9 

75.0  84.8 

82.4 

72.8  80.3  77.4  89.1 

70.3  85.3 

80.9 

70.7  82.3  69.8  87.7 

68.2  86.4 

82.6 

67.5  82.9  69.2  89.8 

HR 

46.5  84.3 

78.0 

47.1  79.5  46.0  89.2 

HU  59.8  86.3 

82.7 

55.0  80.2  65.2  92.3 

138 

Severe  Moderate 

40.1 

27.7 

13.8 

38.2 

42.4 

39.7 

48.2 

43.9 

43.0 

56.5 

47.6 

54.1 

23.2 

28.8 

69.0 

62.5 

52.6 

73.0 

76.0 

69.4 

71.4 

81.7 

60.2 

78.1 

74.4 

75.6 

53.5 

70.6 

20.2 

32.0 

42.2 

21.3 

18.8 

16.8 

18.3 

17.6 

26.8 

9.8 

15.0 

18.2 

37.8 

26.5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Degree 

Disability 
gap in pp. 

Severe  Moderate 

Disability 

Yes 
No 
48.6  85.7 

Total  Yes 
79.6 

Women 
Disability 
No 

Men 
Disability 
No 
Yes 
47.6  79.8  49.9  91.6 

62.3  77.6 

76.0 

49.9  67.1  73.7  88.1 

60.7  90.4 

85.2 

60.2  88.1  61.2  92.8 

53.9  77.7 

75.3 

50.1  73.9  58.8  81.2 

73.7  88.8 

84.2 

73.8  84.8  73.6  93.2 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

60.8  86.6 

84.5 

49.8  78.5  72.2  93.2 

NL 

67.2  87.2 

81.8 

62.7  85.9  72.5  88.4 

PL 

PT 

51.3  84.5 

79.4 

47.9  77.5  55.3  92.3 

75.8  88.5 

85.5 

76.1  87.1  75.4  89.8 

19.7 

32.1 

26.5 

41.6 

42.7 

42.0 

32.5 

27.4 

65.1 

RO 

50.0  77.8 

73.3 

41.4  66.8  62.1  88.1 

6.1 

SE 

SI 

67.9  87.2 

83.4 

63.0  83.7  74.3  90.3 

72.0  84.0 

82.0 

72.9  82.6  71.2  85.3 

SK 

68.2  88.8 

84.4 

65.5  84.1  71.0  93.2 

46.0 

55.5 

40.7 

57.6 

70.3 

69.2 

57.5 

79.9 

66.5 

73.6 

59.6 

78.4 

55.1 

73.4 

78.0 

75.9 

37.0 

15.3 

29.7 

23.8 

15.1 

25.7 

20.0 

33.2 

12.6 

27.8 

19.3 

12.0 

20.6 

EU  64.4  82.6  79.1  61.1  76.6  68.2  88.5 

42.6 

71.2 

18.2 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

Table 76: Activity rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-64, 2022 
Percentage of the population (same age group) that is employed or unemployed. 
The data are not seasonally adjusted. 
Disability 

Degree 

Disability 
gap in pp. 

AT 

BE 

Yes 
No 
65.9  81.5 

Total  Yes 
77.5 

Women 
Disability 
No 

Men 
Disability 
No 
Yes 
63.6  73.2  68.2  89.7 

50.5  83.0 

76.4 

49.7  79.4  51.5  86.4 

BG 

52.6  87.4 

84.9 

54.0  82.6  51.2  92.1 

CY 

CZ 

60.3  83.6 

82.1 

55.4  78.7  65.5  88.8 

66.9  85.8 

81.4 

62.9  78.2  71.4  93.2 

DE 

63.6  80.0 

76.5 

59.6  74.1  67.9  85.6 

DK 

67.9  84.4 

77.8 

62.0  81.7  75.2  86.8 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

66.8  89.0 

83.6 

69.8  85.4  63.9  92.7 

51.8  79.1 

75.6 

45.9  70.3  58.1  88.0 

73.0  84.1 

81.1 

70.7  79.3  75.8  88.7 

70.5  82.9 

80.0 

69.6  79.4  71.6  85.9 

65.4  83.9 

79.5 

63.4  79.7  67.9  88.2 

HR 

48.3  83.4 

76.5 

47.4  77.8  49.1  89.1 

HU  55.3  84.2 

79.7 

49.2  76.9  62.2  91.6 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

47.7  84.3 

76.6 

46.5  78.0  48.9  90.7 

62.7  77.2 

75.7 

53.7  67.0  71.9  87.3 

60.8  91.7 

85.9 

62.1  89.0  59.3  94.5 

69.1  78.3 

74.8 

67.8  72.0  70.5  84.0 

68.2  88.6 

83.7 

68.3  84.6  68.1  92.9 

MT 

57.0  84.2 

78.4 

44.3  74.7  70.8  92.4 

NL 

66.0  87.2 

80.7 

58.7  86.0  75.1  88.4 

PL 

PT 

54.3  83.9 

78.7 

49.1  76.1  60.3  92.2 

76.1  87.7 

84.6 

76.8  85.0  75.3  90.4 

139 

Severe  Moderate 

48.6 

23.9 

23.5 

37.1 

45.4 

41.0 

49.6 

45.3 

37.3 

54.0 

49.6 

49.1 

30.1 

27.6 

17.3 

35.8 

23.6 

52.1 

33.6 

46.8 

28.4 

31.0 

59.8 

71.3 

62.5 

58.1 

70.6 

74.2 

72.4 

72.6 

76.0 

62.1 

76.5 

75.3 

74.5 

53.4 

65.3 

56.8 

70.0 

68.8 

73.5 

75.6 

60.3 

72.5 

62.0 

79.8 

15.6 

32.5 

34.8 

23.3 

18.9 

16.5 

16.5 

22.2 

27.3 

11.1 

12.4 

18.5 

35.1 

29.0 

36.5 

14.5 

30.9 

9.2 

20.4 

27.3 

21.3 

29.6 

11.5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Disability 

Yes 
No 
47.8  78.4 

Total  Yes 
72.8 

Women 
Disability 
No 

Men 
Disability 
No 
Yes 
37.2  68.0  61.3  88.0 

64.7  86.9 

82.7 

61.2  82.3  69.2  90.9 

70.1  83.8 

81.0 

70.8  81.4  69.5  86.0 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

64.9  87.5 

81.9 

61.4  81.3  68.6  93.3 

Degree 

Disability 
gap in pp. 

Severe  Moderate 

5.5 

44.9 

62.0 

38.6 

53.4 

69.8 

73.4 

72.5 

30.5 

22.2 

13.6 

22.6 

EU  64.0  82.5  78.7  60.1  76.2  68.5  88.6 

41.7 

70.9 

18.5 

Data source: EU-SILC 2022 release 2023, version 2 (autumn release). 

Table 77: Activity rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-64, 2021 
Percentage of the population (same age group) that is employed or unemployed. 
The data are not seasonally adjusted. 
Disability 

Degree 

Severe  Moderate 

Disability 
gap in pp. 

41.4 

26.9 

34.2 

42.9 

39.2 

Women 
Disability 
Total  Yes  No 
77.5 

Men 
Disability 
Yes  No 
61.4  73.1  66.6  89.6 

Yes  No 
64.0  81.4 

50.1  82.8 

76.4 

47.9  79.1  52.6  86.4 

BG 

59.2  87.8 

84.9 

60.5  82.8  57.8  92.6 

61.6  85.0 

82.1 

54.9  80.8  68.1  89.6 

63.2  85.0 

81.4 

56.9  77.1  70.0  92.8 

AT 

BE 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

58.9  80.2 

76.5 

54.1  74.7  63.9  85.6 

: 

DK 

65.3  83.6 

77.8 

63.3  80.0  67.9  86.8 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

70.0  88.3 

83.6 

71.9  84.3  68.0  92.1 

52.5  78.3 

75.6 

48.1  69.4  56.9  87.4 

70.7  84.1 

81.1 

68.0  79.4  73.7  88.6 

68.4  83.3 

80.0 

67.9  79.5  69.0  86.6 

62.9  83.0 

79.5 

61.0  78.7  65.4  87.2 

HR 

54.3  82.2 

76.5 

50.7  76.4  57.7  88.0 

HU 

55.8  83.5 

79.7 

52.8  76.4  59.3  90.6 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

43.3  82.8 

76.6 

41.0  75.9  45.7  89.9 

63.2  77.5 

75.7 

52.4  66.3  74.2  88.5 

70.2  90.3 

85.9 

71.9  87.6  68.3  93.1 

62.7  78.3 

74.8 

60.5  73.2  65.4  82.8 

71.3  88.3 

83.7 

71.1  84.4  71.6  92.4 

MT 

53.2  81.5 

78.4 

45.1  70.8  61.1  90.8 

NL 

PL 

PT 

62.7  86.6 

80.7 

58.1  84.4  67.9  88.7 

49.6  83.9 

78.7 

45.3  76.7  54.4  91.8 

75.9  87.7 

84.6 

75.8  85.6  76.2  89.9 

43.5 

48.0 

39.7 

53.4 

47.7 

45.3 

33.7 

30.2 

15.2 

36.9 

36.2 

47.2 

35.2 

37.8 

26.0 

26.9 

62.5 

RO 

47.3  78.0 

72.8 

35.7  66.1  61.4  89.0 

6.7 

SE 

SI 

67.5  85.8 

82.7 

66.4  80.8  69.0  90.4 

67.1  83.7 

81.0 

72.5  81.7  62.0  85.5 

SK 

64.8  87.0 

81.9 

61.2  80.9  68.7  92.8 

38.6 

58.3 

38.0 

71.1 

62.1 

64.3 

71.0 

72.3 

: 

70.9 

78.2 

61.8 

73.9 

73.7 

72.0 

60.0 

64.4 

54.2 

70.8 

75.5 

67.7 

77.6 

57.7 

68.2 

58.6 

79.7 

53.8 

75.2 

70.5 

74.1 

17.4 

32.8 

28.6 

23.4 

21.7 

21.3 

18.3 

18.3 

25.8 

13.4 

15.0 

20.0 

28.0 

27.8 

39.5 

14.3 

20.1 

15.6 

16.9 

28.4 

24.0 

34.3 

11.8 

30.7 

18.3 

16.5 

22.2 

EU  62.0  82.3  78.7  58.1  75.8  66.4  88.7 

39.5 

69.3 

20.3 

Note: Data for Germany covering labour issues are indicative due to a high non-response rate. In 
addition,  they  do not  distinguish  between  moderate  and  severe disabilities.  Data  for  Slovakia  are 
missing and have been replaced by 2020 data in the figures. 
Data source: EU-SILC release 1 in 2023 (spring release). 

140 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 78: Activity rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-64, 2020 
Percentage of the population (same age group) that is employed or unemployed. 
The data are not seasonally adjusted. 
Disability 

Women 

Degree 

Men 

Disability 
gap in pp. 

Yes  No 

Total  Yes  No 

Yes  No 

Severe  Moderate 

Disability 

Disability 

AT 

BE 

66.4  82.4 

78.1 

60.6  75.0  71.8  89.9 

49.8  82.5 

75.8 

48.0  79.0  51.9  86.0 

BG 

53.3  86.8 

83.9 

53.5  81.5  53.0  92.0 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

65.0  85.4 

82.3 

57.3  80.2  72.6  91.0 

64.0  84.9 

80.9 

59.9  78.2  70.8  94.4 

58.4  82.3 

78.0 

53.3  77.4  63.6  86.9 

DK 

67.4  84.5 

79.2 

62.5  81.7  73.3  87.0 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

68.4  88.9 

84.0 

69.3  84.5  67.6  93.3 

47.5  77.6 

74.5 

41.1  67.5  53.9  88.0 

64.8  83.7 

80.4 

63.4  78.8  66.5  88.5 

70.8  85.5 

80.9 

70.1  82.2  71.6  88.1 

61.3  83.7 

79.4 

59.7  80.2  63.3  87.3 

HR 

51.8  82.7 

76.2 

49.8  76.9  53.7  88.6 

HU 

54.1  83.0 

78.6 

53.3  75.8  55.1  90.2 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

43.6  81.9 

75.7 

39.5  74.6  47.9  89.4 

60.6  78.2 

76.0 

49.6  67.7  72.4  88.7 

69.5  89.0 

84.6 

68.2  85.7  71.0  92.4 

60.9  77.9 

74.2 

58.5  71.5  64.2  83.9 

72.9  86.8 

82.7 

73.5  81.9  72.1  92.0 

MT 

51.1  81.0 

78.3 

37.9  70.1  64.7  90.4 

NL 

PL 

PT 

63.6  86.8 

81.4 

59.7  83.2  68.7  90.1 

50.8  82.2 

77.1 

49.5  74.5  52.2  90.6 

73.5  87.3 

84.1 

73.4  84.3  73.7  90.2 

RO 

47.8  77.2 

72.7 

40.4  64.7  57.4  88.8 

SE 

SI 

69.5  87.8 

85.8 

68.3  84.7  70.9  90.5 

66.7  83.0 

80.3 

68.1  80.3  65.4  85.4 

SK 

64.8  87.0 

81.9 

61.2  80.9  68.7  92.8 

45.3 

23.9 

20.7 

42.2 

39.2 

39.3 

45.4 

50.5 

37.5 

49.9 

45.6 

47.6 

37.0 

31.5 

21.0 

36.7 

28.6 

48.8 

40.3 

39.1 

28.6 

30.7 

61.5 

11.2 

55.9 

59.0 

38.0 

72.8 

62.4 

59.5 

73.1 

71.6 

71.0 

72.8 

75.4 

54.5 

67.8 

75.3 

68.5 

56.5 

61.9 

51.9 

67.5 

76.4 

65.8 

79.6 

54.0 

70.2 

57.7 

76.9 

55.9 

75.9 

70.2 

74.1 

16.0 

32.7 

33.6 

20.4 

20.9 

23.9 

17.0 

20.5 

30.1 

18.9 

14.7 

22.4 

30.9 

28.9 

38.4 

17.6 

19.5 

17.0 

13.9 

29.9 

23.2 

31.4 

13.7 

29.4 

18.3 

16.2 

22.2 

EU  60.4  82.5  78.6  57.0  76.1  64.4  88.8 

40.2 

67.4 

22.1 

Note: Data for Germany are indicative. 
Data source: EU-SILC UDB release 1 in 2022, rev.1.  

141 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 79: Activity rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-64, 2019 
Percentage of the population (same age group) that is employed or unemployed. 
The data are not seasonally adjusted. 

Disability 

Women 

Men 

Degree 

Disability 

Disability 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

Yes 

66.8 

52.7 

48.0 

66.1 

63.1 

66.7 

68.8 

71.0 

47.4 

55.7 

69.4 

68.4 

51.3 

57.3 

40.8 

62.0 

64.5 

59.4 

71.7 

49.0 

60.6 

50.0 

72.5 

47.5 

70.1 

69.2 

64.9 

No 

Total 

82.2 

81.6 

86.9 

85.3 

83.9 

85.2 

83.7 

89.6 

78.0 

84.2 

83.8 

82.3 

82.4 

83.3 

82.8 

77.6 

88.6 

76.7 

85.9 

76.9 

85.3 

81.2 

87.5 

75.9 

86.7 

82.3 

86.3 

77.9 

75.2 

83.5 

82.2 

79.9 

81.8 

79.5 

84.6 

74.7 

80.8 

79.4 

79.7 

75.2 

79.0 

77.2 

75.8 

83.3 

72.9 

81.8 

74.7 

79.3 

76.0 

84.0 

71.4 

84.9 

79.4 

81.5 

Yes 

59.2 

49.7 

48.9 

61.0 

60.6 

64.0 

64.8 

70.3 

44.1 

56.1 

69.4 

67.4 

49.1 

54.2 

33.0 

53.2 

62.8 

56.1 

72.1 

34.4 

57.6 

47.9 

70.9 

38.8 

69.0 

68.9 

62.2 

No 

74.7 

78.0 

81.8 

79.8 

76.1 

80.9 

81.0 

85.8 

68.0 

78.3 

81.1 

78.8 

77.4 

77.5 

76.3 

66.5 

84.9 

71.0 

80.6 

65.2 

81.5 

73.9 

84.9 

63.0 

83.2 

80.1 

79.6 

Yes 

74.6 

55.9 

47.0 

71.2 

67.0 

69.7 

73.6 

71.7 

51.0 

55.3 

69.5 

69.7 

53.4 

60.7 

48.7 

71.2 

66.5 

63.6 

71.3 

63.9 

64.5 

52.4 

75.0 

59.0 

71.6 

69.6 

68.1 

No 

Severe 

Moderate 

89.8 

85.2 

91.9 

91.1 

94.3 

89.5 

86.2 

93.4 

88.3 

90.0 

86.2 

85.9 

87.3 

89.1 

89.6 

88.7 

92.6 

82.3 

91.6 

87.4 

88.8 

89.6 

90.0 

87.7 

89.8 

84.3 

92.7 

44.2 

23.9 

(20.7) 

39.6 

39.7 

46.4 

48.9 

54.1 

35.2 

38.2 

48.4 

57.9 

36.9 

31.3 

24.2 

31.7 

24.3 

49.2 

45.4 

(45.6) 

24.0 

29.1 

53.8 

(13.1) 

57.1 

64.0 

38.9 

73.2 

67.3 

53.5 

74.6 

70.5 

75.9 

73.7 

77.6 

56.3 

59.4 

74.0 

73.7 

56.3 

66.4 

47.9 

69.7 

71.4 

63.6 

76.4 

49.8 

68.0 

57.8 

76.9 

55.6 

75.4 

71.2 

73.2 

EU 

62.0 

82.5 

79.0 

59.1 

76.2 

65.4 

88.8 

42.1 

69.0 

Note: Data in parenthesis are indicative. 
Data source: EU-SILC UDB 2019 release 1 2021. 

142 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 80: Evolution of the activity rate, EU, aged 20-64 

EU 28 

Disability 

Moderate  Severe 

All persons 

EU 27 

Disability 

Moderate 

Severe 

All persons 

62.4 

61.5 

62.7 

63.1 

63.4 

64.1 

66.6 

67.6 

68.6 

67.3 

67.4 

68.2 

70.3 

38.5 

38.2 

37.6 

37.1 

37.0 

38.3 

38.7 

39.7 

40.3 

39.4 

39.9 

42.0 

41.8 

75.0 

74.4 

75.0 

75.2 

75.4 

75.7 

76.3 

76.8 

77.5 

77.8 

78.2 

78.4 

79.1 

2006 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

2014 

2015 

2016 

2017 

2018 

2019 

2020 

2021 

2022 

2023 

Data source : EU-SILC UDB.  

67.5 

69.1 

69.0 

67.4 

69.3 

70.9 

71.2 

43.9 

42.7 

42.1 

40.2 

39.5 

41.7 

42.6 

78.1 

78.7 

79.0 

78.6 

78.7 

79.0 

79.1 

143 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Part IV: Social inclusion 

10  Disability employment gap  

10.1 Relevance to EU policy / strategy 

In the field of social protection and inclusion, the EU target aims at reducing the number 
of  people  at  risk  of  poverty  or  social  exclusion  by  at  least  15  million  by  2030.  The 
percentage of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion is an important indicator. From 
this point of view, employment remains an important channel for the integration of persons 
at risk of poverty and exclusion. Consequently, reducing any discrimination in employment 
contributes to the socio-economic integration of all social groups. 

From  this  perspective,  the  EPSR  Action  Plan61  proposed  a  renewed  list  of  headline 
indicators. It includes the disability employment gap (in percentage points) as a headline 
indicator for measuring progress on social protection and inclusion.  

The disability employment gap is defined as the difference in employment rates between 
persons  aged  20–64  without  disabilities  and  persons  aged  20–64  with  disabilities.62  The 
employment  rate  is  determined  by  dividing  the  number  of  persons  aged  20  to  64  in 
employment by the total population of the same age group. 

As mentioned, the updated list of headline indicators was approved by the EU Ministers of 
Employment and Social Affairs in June 2021. 

10.2 Assessment and analysis of main results and their evolution 

10.2.1 General comments 

The  disability  employment  gap  may  be  based  on  different  definitions  of  employment. 
Official statistics often use the ILO definition (described in the Employment chapter). Due 
to data limitations, the EU-SILC does not enable us to measure employment according to 
the ILO definition every year. 

The disability employment gap (in percentage points), as a headline indicator in the Social 
Scoreboard (Pillar), relies on a different definition of employment. A person is considered 
as employed if he has been employed (full or part-time) for more than five months during 
the income reference period (during the previous 12 months).63 

As  shown  in  previous  EDE  annual  reports,  these  two  definitions  of  the  disability 
employment gap are strongly correlated. The high correlation indicates that the proposed 
indicator is robust, whatever definition is adopted. Here, we adopt the definition used by 
the  Social  Scoreboard.  Interested  readers  can  consult  the  chapter  on  employment  for 
alternative definitions of the disability employment gap. 
The following figure shows a significant employment gap across all Member States. In the 
EU 27, the disability employment gap for the 20–64 age group was 21.5 percentage points.  

We may observe that the smallest employment gaps are found in Spain (13.8 percentage 
points), Portugal (14.0 percentage points) and Italy (15.9 percentage points). The highest 
disability employment gaps are found in Ireland (36.7 percentage points), Croatia (39.2 
percentage points) and Bulgaria (39.5 percentage points).  

61   See European Commission – Eurostat, 

https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1607&langId=en#:~:text=The%20European%20Pillar%20of%
20Social%20Rights%20sets%20out%2020%20key,concrete%20actions%20to%20benefit%20citizens. 
Detailed annual data can be extracted from Eurostat’s website: 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/tepsr_sp200/default/table?lang=en. 
62   See Eurostat, https://data.europa.eu/data/datasets/tbrhqm5vm0zrcz3arcfg?locale=en. 
63   EU-SILC (PX050: Activity status). 

144 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 65: The employment gap between persons with and without disabilities, 
aged 20-64, 2023, expressed in percentage points (pp.) 

Data source: Eurostat.  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dlm200__custom_10959491/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 24 March 2025 from [ESTAT].  

10.2.2 Disability employment gap by gender 

In  the  EU 27,  the  disability  employment  gap  for  women  (women  without  disabilities 
compared to women with disabilities) amounted to 19.1 percentage points. This gap was 
23.2 percentage points for men. 

The  lower  participation  of  women  in  the  labour  force  might  explain  the  lower  disability 
employment  gap  for  women  with  disabilities  compared  to  men  with  disabilities.  In  fact, 
lower expectations concerning employment might lead  some women with disabilities out 
of the labour force. 

Figure 66: The disability employment gap by gender, expressed in percentage 
points (pp.), persons aged 20-64, 2023 

Note:  

Women: employment gap between women with and without disabilities. 
Men: employment gap between men with and without disabilities. 

Data source: Eurostat.  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dlm200__custom_10959491/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 24 March 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

145 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

10.2.3 Disability employment gap by degree 

The degree of disability is a crucial factor. In the EU 27, the disability employment gap for 
persons with moderate disabilities amounted to 14.4 percentage points, compared to 42.4 
percentage points for persons with severe disabilities.  

The  figure  indicates  that  persons  with  severe  disabilities  ought  to  constitute  a  priority 
target for policies aimed at employment and social inclusion. Employment constitutes an 
important channel for socio-economic integration in the EU. 

Figure 67: The disability employment gap by degree of disability, expressed in 
percentage points (pp.), persons aged 20-64, 2023 

Note:  

Moderate:  employment  gap  between  persons  with  moderate  disabilities  and  without 
disabilities. 
Severe:  employment  gap  between  persons  with  severe  disabilities  and  without 
disabilities. 
Data source: Eurostat.  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dlm200__custom_10959491/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 24 March 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

10.2.4 Evolution of disability employment gap at national level 

In  most  Member  States,  we  observe  a  reduction  in  the  disability  employment  gap. 
However, this improvement is very small. 

146 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 68: Disability employment gap in 2022 and 2023, expressed in 
percentage points (pp.), persons aged 20-64 

Note: Data for Bulgaria and Luxembourg present a break in time series and ought to be treated with 
caution. 
Data source: Eurostat.  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dlm200__custom_10959491/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 24 March 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

10.2.5 Evolution of the disability employment gap at the EU level 

The disability employment gap has followed a cyclical evolution with a declining long- term 
trend. 

Over the last two years, the absolute gap has stabilised at around 21.5 percentage points.  

The long-term decrease in the disability employment gap is largely due to improvements 
in the employment situation of persons with moderate disabilities. 

Figure 69: Evolution of the disability employment gap, persons aged 20-64, EU 

Note: Data for 2020–2021 ought to be treated with caution due to the special circumstances arising 
from the COVID-19 pandemic and a relatively high rate of missing values in certain Member States. 
Data for 2006–2013 cover the EU 28. 
Data source: Eurostat.  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dlm200__custom_10959491/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 24 March 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

147 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

10.3 Statistical tables 

Table 81: Disability employment gap by year and gender. Total, aged 20-64 

Country 

2023 

Persons with disabilities 

Persons with moderate disabilities 

Total 

Male 

Female 

Total 

Male 

Female 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

EU 

26.1 

33.6 

39.5 

24.7 

22.2 

22.6 

20.4 

20.2 

26.0 

13.8 

19.4 

19.9 

39.2 

29.6 

36.7 

15.9 

32.4 

23.7 

18.5 

25.8 

23.8 

33.9 

14.0 

29.2 

23.2 

17.3 

22.1 

32.5 

36.9 

46.8 

22.9 

25.1 

25.3 

16.5 

26.6 

32.8 

14.3 

22.8 

22.5 

44.2 

30.9 

42.4 

16.6 

37.1 

21.0 

25.1 

23.2 

20.9 

38.2 

17.0 

26.5 

22.4 

21.0 

25.2 

19.3 

30.1 

32.0 

26.6 

18.4 

19.4 

22.7 

13.9 

19.0 

12.4 

16.3 

16.9 

34.4 

27.7 

30.7 

15.9 

27.8 

24.5 

12.6 

26.9 

26.0 

29.7 

11.2 

27.2 

22.7 

13.2 

18.7 

17.1 

22.2 

33.4 

14.9 

12.8 

12.0 

15.4 

9.5 

20.2 

10.6 

14.6 

12.9 

33.5 

19.7 

29.7 

8.3 

25.6 

19.4 

12.0 

20.1 

18.0 

26.8 

10.7 

24.4 

16.8 

11.0 

14.4 

20.1 

22.7 

41.1 

12.3 

14.0 

13.3 

10.4 

14.3 

21.4 

10.2 

17.3 

14.5 

36.9 

19.7 

31.6 

7.2 

28.2 

17.1 

17.7 

15.2 

14.9 

27.2 

11.5 

20.6 

15.6 

13.7 

17.0 

13.1 

20.9 

25.5 

18.1 

10.4 

10.0 

18.6 

5.0 

17.8 

9.9 

12.0 

10.8 

30.3 

18.8 

26.3 

10.3 

23.1 

19.5 

6.9 

23.1 

20.3 

25.5 

9.5 

23.0 

16.4 

8.0 

11.4 

21.5 

23.2 

19.1 

14.4 

14.6 

13.3 

Note: Data in ‘()’: low reliability; ‘b’: break in time series; ‘:’ missing.  
Data source: Eurostat.  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dlm200__custom_10959491/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 24 March 2025 from [ESTAT].  

148 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 82: Disability employment gap by year and gender. Total, aged 20-64 

Country 

2023 

Persons with severe disabilities 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

EU 

Total 

50.5 

56.2 

: 

47.8 

50.8 

51.9 

39.4 

46.7 

34.5 

32.5 

46.8 

33.1 

58.3 

58.5 

59.0 

44.7 

61.0 

38.5 

50.7 

44.6 

56.2 

54.5 

27.5 

: 

48.8 

34.3 

48.8 

Male 

60.0 

62.4 

: 

51.2 

58.0 

57.5 

38.7 

51.9 

48.3 

36.3 

49.7 

37.7 

65.0 

61.8 

: 

52.9 

66.9 

32.2 

60.5 

47.9 

52.6 

65.4 

36.4 

: 

44.8 

40.6 

51.8 

Female 

40.1 

50.1 

: 

44.3 

43.2 

46.1 

39.5 

40.7 

20.8 

28.5 

43.7 

28.7 

51.4 

55.1 

: 

36.8 

53.5 

44.1 

42.0 

: 

59.6 

44.2 

19.1 

: 

52.5 

27.2 

45.6 

42.4 

48.0 

36.5 

Note: Data in ‘()’: low reliability; ‘b’: break in time series; ‘:’ missing.  
Data source: Eurostat.  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dlm200__custom_10959491/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 24 March 2025 from [ESTAT].  

149 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 83: Disability employment gap by year and gender. Total, aged 20-64 

Country 

Persons with disabilities 

Total 

2021 

Males 

Females 

Total 

Males 

Females 

2022 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

EU 

26.3 

38.0 

22.1 

27.0 

25.9 

30.5 

7.9 

18.7 

23.8 

15.9 

22.2 

24.1 

28.7 

28.8 

41.3 

14.9 

23.9 

15.4 

16.6 

27.0 

25.8 

34.2 

16.2 

32.6 

19.9 

21.1 

25.3 

32.3 

41.4 

28.4 

27.1 

26.3 

33.3 

8.5 

22.9 

30.0 

17.4 

24.7 

25.7 

33.1 

35.0 

44.7 

17.6 

28.8 

16.2 

22.9 

27.3 

23.7 

38.4 

16.3 

29.9 

25.1 

26.9 

28.3 

20.3 

34.4 

15.7 

27.4 

24.8 

27.4 

6.3 

14.4 

17.9 

13.5 

19.3 

22.2 

24.5 

22.2 

37.8 

11.6 

19.4 

13.2 

10.8 

25.2 

27.3 

30.3 

15.6 

32.0 

14.4 

14.8 

21.4 

23.8 

35.3 

29.5 

25.7 

22.7 

24.2 

9.9 

26.2 

25.9 

14.6 

19.0 

20.8 

36.0 

32.4 

37.0 

14.0 

35.0 

8.5 

20.8 

30.1 

25.2 

31.3 

13.1 

32.0 

25.7 

18.8 

21.0 

29.9 

38.6 

34.3 

24.4 

24.1 

27.9 

10.2 

34.1 

31.5 

15.7 

18.8 

21.3 

41.2 

32.8 

42.7 

17.1 

38.0 

13.2 

25.2 

25.5 

22.3 

34.1 

15.8 

30.1 

30.1 

21.0 

23.9 

17.4 

31.7 

24.6 

26.9 

20.2 

19.9 

8.8 

18.4 

20.0 

12.4 

18.5 

19.8 

31.1 

31.1 

31.2 

10.7 

32.2 

2.9 

16.7 

32.2 

27.2 

28.3 

10.3 

30.7 

20.5 

16.4 

17.5 

23.1 

25.2 

20.4 

21.4 

23.3 

18.9 

Note: Data in ‘()’: low reliability; ‘b’: break in time series; ‘:’ missing.  
Data source: Eurostat.  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dlm200__custom_10959491/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 18 April 2024 from [ESTAT].  

150 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 84: Disability employment gap by year and gender. Moderate, aged 20-64 

Country 

Persons with moderate disabilities 

Total 

2021 

Males 

Females 

Total 

Males 

Females 

2022 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

EU 

16.9 

27.8 

17.0 

20.0 

16.4 

: 

5.2 

11.0 

15.1 

12.8 

15.0 

16.0 

23.4 

20.4 

31.4 

8.8 

18.8 

10.7 

10.9 

22.6 

20.9 

26.1 

12.4 

26.4 

13.0 

15.7 

15.1 

20.5 

31.5 

24.7 

18.5 

16.2 

: 

5.7 

12.9 

18.6 

13.7 

18.1 

16.0 

27.0 

26.9 

31.0 

8.1 

21.9 

10.5 

16.3 

22.4 

18.4 

25.4 

9.6 

21.0 

17.1 

18.0 

16.2 

13.1 

24.0 

9.3 

22.3 

16.0 

: 

3.7 

8.9 

11.8 

10.9 

11.5 

15.3 

19.7 

13.6 

31.6 

7.9 

15.8 

9.9 

5.9 

21.7 

22.6 

25.9 

13.8 

27.7 

8.4 

13.0 

12.8 

15.5 

25.1 

24.1 

18.6 

14.9 

13.1 

7.7 

17.8 

16.9 

11.1 

12.2 

12.3 

31.1 

22.4 

27.6 

6.6 

27.4 

5.2 

14.0 

26.4 

19.6 

24.3 

8.6 

26.7 

19.9 

16.8 

13.6 

19.8 

27.3 

28.4 

17.3 

14.7 

15.3 

8.3 

25.2 

17.2 

11.4 

10.3 

11.8 

34.8 

20.2 

32.1 

6.9 

28.0 

10.3 

16.8 

21.8 

15.1 

22.3 

8.4 

21.6 

22.8 

18.9 

16.3 

10.8 

22.4 

19.7 

19.8 

13.8 

10.2 

6.5 

10.5 

15.4 

9.5 

12.9 

12.1 

27.5 

23.2 

23.1 

5.7 

26.5 

-0.7 

11.1 

30.1 

22.5 

24.5 

7.9 

27.3 

15.9 

14.4 

10.2 

16.1 

16.4 

14.7 

14.5 

14.6 

13.3 

Note: Data in‘()’: low reliability; ‘b’: break in time series; ‘:’ missing.  
Data source: Eurostat.  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dlm200__custom_10959491/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 18 April 2024 from [ESTAT].  

151 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 85: Disability employment gap by year and gender. Severe, aged 20-64 

Country 

Persons with severe disabilities 

Total 

2021 
Males 

55.4 
57.7 

47.4 
41.0 
51.0 
30.5 
20.9 
39.6 

35.9 
31.9 
50.4 
40.0 
47.5 
53.8 

66.6 
35.9 
56.6 
29.5 
49.1 
41.8 

57.7 
54.7 
29.9 
: 
46.7 
35.3 

53.0 

65.4 
59.9 

46.4 
44.6 
53.8 
33.3 
20.9 
46.5 

46.0 
34.9 
48.2 
43.8 
52.5 
56.1 

: 
44.6 
62.4 
37.4 
56.3 
45.2 

56.4 
65.4 
37.8 
: 
51.6 
49.5 

60.0 

Females 
45.1 
55.3 

: 
37.7 
47.4 
27.4 
20.4 
31.9 

26.2 
28.8 
52.0 
36.3 
42.9 
51.4 

: 
27.7 
49.6 
21.9 
42.3 
36.2 

58.6 
44.1 
22.7 
: 
41.2 
19.9 

45.5 

Total 

2022 
Males 

49.2 
57.6 

58.1 
41.2 
45.1 
51.8 
: 
45.9 

38.7 
33.8 
48.7 
36.0 
53.2 
60.1 

69.2 
41.1 
69.4 
21.6 
52.7 
41.2 

57.2 
52.7 
32.2 
: 
48.3 
23.9 

46.4 

57.3 
64.0 

: 
39.4 
50.7 
57.7 
: 
52.7 

50.5 
37.7 
52.3 
38.5 
59.9 
65.6 

: 
51.4 
: 
25.7 
59.9 
40.2 

56.9 
63.0 
39.6 
: 
53.6 
25.8 

49.9 

Females 
41.0 
51.6 

: 
43.4 
39.0 
45.5 
: 
38.6 

27.0 
29.7 
44.9 
33.3 
46.3 
54.5 

: 
30.8 
: 
16.2 
45.8 
37.3 

57.4 
42.6 
23.9 
: 
42.2 
21.9 

42.1 

AT 
BE 

BG 
CY 
CZ 
DE 
DK 
EE 

EL 
ES 
FI 
FR 
HR 
HU 

IE 
IT 
LT 
LU 
LV 
MT 

NL 
PL 
PT 
RO 
SE 
SI 

SK 

EU 

36.6 

40.7 
Note: Data in ‘()’: low reliability; ‘b’: break in time series; ‘:’ missing.  
Data source: Eurostat.  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dlm200__custom_10959491/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 18 April 2024 from [ESTAT].  

47.3 

32.3 

36.8 

42.1 

152 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Part V: Social protection (overarching indicators) 

11  People at risk of poverty or social exclusion 

11.1 Relevance to EU policy / strategy 

Article 28 of the UN Convention covers ‘Adequate standard of living and social protection’. 
It provides for measures ‘To ensure access by persons with disabilities, in particular women 
and  girls  with  disabilities  and  older  persons  with  disabilities,  to  social  protection 
programmes and poverty reduction programmes’. 

On 25 September 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted a Resolution on ‘Transforming 
our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’. This Agenda is a plan of action. 
It seeks, notably, to eradicate poverty in all its forms and dimensions and considers that 
this is an indispensable requirement for sustainable development. 

The European Commission, in its Communication concerning the Strategy for the Rights of 
Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030, notes that ‘monitoring the progress in Member States 
will rely on improved statistical data collection on the situation of persons with disabilities’. 
The Strategy notes that ‘alongside fair employment, adequate social protection, including 
retirement schemes, is an essential prerequisite to ensure an adequate income for a decent 
standard of living of persons with disabilities and their families’. 

The  EPSR,  under  its  ‘Equal  opportunities’  heading,  provides  that,  regardless  of  gender, 
racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, everyone has 
the right to equal treatment and opportunities regarding, notably, employment and social 
protection. The EPSR aims to build a more inclusive and fairer European Union. It covers, 
in particular, three broad dimensions of societal progress: the labour market; fair working 
conditions; and public support/social protection and inclusion. 

In a more targeted approach, in 2021 the Council adopted a Recommendation establishing 
a European child guarantee.64 The aim of this Recommendation is to prevent and combat 
social exclusion by guaranteeing access by children in need to a set of key services, thereby 
also  contributing  to  upholding  the  rights  of  the  child  by  combating  child  poverty  and 
fostering equal opportunities. Member States are encouraged to identify children in need, 
particularly those with disabilities.  

In the framework for the 2020–2024 Strategic  Plan, DG Employment,  Social Affairs and 
Inclusion specified how it will contribute to the Commission’s priorities.65 It defined a set 
of impact indicators that are relevant to the socio-economic field. They include, notably, 
people at risk of poverty and social exclusion. 

The indicator ‘People at risk of poverty or social exclusion’ (AROPE) is a main indicator for 
monitoring  the  EU  2030  target  on  poverty  and  social  exclusion.  The  headline  indicator 
combines three sub-indicators: 

- 
- 
- 

people living in households with very low work intensity; 
those at risk of poverty after social transfers; and 
severe material and social deprivation.  

This headline indicator corresponds to the sum of persons who are either at risk of poverty, 
or  severely  materially  and  socially  deprived,  or  living  in  households  with  very  low  work 
intensity. Persons present in several sub-indicators are counted only once. 

64   Council Recommendation (EU) 2021/1004 of 14 June 2021 Establishing a European Child Guarantee. See 

https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1428&langId=en&. 

65   European Commission (2021), Strategic Plan 2020-2024 – DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, 

https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/strategic-plan-2020-2024-employment-social-affairs-and-
inclusion_en. 

153 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

In the following, we will give a summary presentation of the three components and then 
present the global indicator for people at risk of poverty or social exclusion. 

11.2 People living in households with very low work intensity 

11.2.1 Definition of very low work intensity 

People living in households with very low work intensity are people living in households 
where the adults worked less than 20 % of their total work potential during the past year. 
People living in households with very low work intensity are more likely to be exposed to 
social exclusion and risk of poverty, due to their dependency on social transfers and their 
difficulty in accessing common goods and services.  

The Europe 2020 Strategy defined the work intensity of the household as the ratio between, 
on  the  one  hand,  the  number  of  months  for  which  all  working  age  household  members 
have  been  working  during  the  income  reference  year  and,  on  the  other  hand,  the  total 
number  of  months  that  could  theoretically  have  been  worked  by  the  same  household 
members in the same period.66 The indicator is based on persons aged 18–59 (excluding 
students). The work intensity status is assigned to each household member. 

The Europe 2030 Strategy revised the 2020 definition. Persons living in households with 
very low work intensity are ‘people from 0–64 years living in households where the adults 
(those  aged  18–64),  but  excluding  students  aged  18–24  and  people  who  are  retired 
according to their self-defined current economic status or who receive any pension (except 
survivors pension), as well as people in the age bracket 60–64 who are inactive and living 
in a household where the main income is pensions  – except survivors pension – worked 
less than 20 % of their total combined work-time potential during the previous 12 months’. 
Households composed only of children, of students aged under 25 and/or people aged 65 
or over are excluded from the indicator calculation.67 

The new definition is not neutral from the  viewpoint of persons with disabilities. In fact, 
the new definition excludes people who are retired according to their self-defined current 
economic status or who receive any pension (except survivors’ pension), as well as people 
in the age bracket 60–64 who are inactive and living in a household where the main income 
is pensions – except survivors’ pension. Consequently, the indicator might exclude persons 
with  disabilities  receiving  pensions,  notably  one-person  households  where  a  disability 
pension is the main source of household income. This might decrease the percentage of 
persons with disabilities living in households with very low work intensity. 

11.2.2 Analysis by Member State 

As  noted,  people  living  in  households  with  very  low  work  intensity  are  people  living  in 
households where the  adults worked less than 20 % of their total work potential during 
the  past  year.  Consequently,  work  intensity  measures  the  employment  rate  of  the 
household,  but  it  does  not  consider  the  distribution  of  employment  within  a  household 
(including several adults).  

In the EU 27 in 2023, about 16.7 % of persons with disabilities were living in households 
with  a  very  low  work  intensity  (<20 %),  in  comparison  with  5.7 %  of  persons  without 
disabilities. This represents a difference of about 11.0 percentage points.  

The percentage of persons with disabilities who were living in households with a very low 
work  intensity  (<20 %)  varied  from  7.6 %  (Romania)  to  27.8 %  (Belgium)  across  the 
Member States.  

66   See Eurostat https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-

explained/index.php?title=Living_conditions_in_Europe_-_work_intensity. See also: 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/data/database. 

67   Eurostat. See https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-

explained/index.php?title=Glossary:Persons_living_in_households_with_low_work_intensity. 

154 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

This indicator should be interpreted cautiously, as work intensity is calculated at household 
level and assigned equally to all household members. 

Figure 70: Percentage of persons living in households with very low work 
intensity (Work Intensity < 20 %), aged 16-64, 2023 
The indicator is based on persons aged 18–64 (excluding students, etc.). The same work intensity 
status is assigned to each household member aged 16 to 64. 
The numbers present the percentage of persons with disabilities living in households with very low 
work intensity. 

Data source: Eurostat.  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe040__custom_11000909/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 26/03/2025 from [ESTAT].  

11.2.3 Disability gap in very low work intensity 

In the EU 27 in 2023, the difference between persons with and without disabilities in the 
16–64 age group amounted to about 11 percentage points. 

The  smallest  gaps  are  observed  in  Romania  (3.7  percentage  points),  Slovakia  (4.8 
percentage points)  and  Portugal (5.8 percentage points). The highest gaps  are found in 
Lithuania (19.0 percentage points), Ireland (21.7 percentage points)  and Belgium (21.9 
percentage points) (in ascending order). Comparable results were found in 2022.  

Figure 71: Disability gap in very low work intensity, aged 16-64, 2023 
Gap = % of persons with disabilities – % of persons without disabilities. 
Persons living in households with very low work intensity (WI< 20 %). 

155 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Data source: Eurostat. 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe040__custom_11000909/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 26/03/2025 from [ESTAT].  

11.2.4 Evolution at national level  

In the following graph,  we can observe an improvement in the situation of persons with 
disabilities at EU level  between 2022 and 2023. In  fact, the percentage  of persons with 
disabilities living in households with very low work intensity dropped from 17.1 % (2022) 
to 16.7 % (2023). This represents a decrease of 0.4 percentage points (2.3 % decrease). 

For  comparison,  the  percentage  of  persons  without  disabilities  living  in  households  with 
very low work intensity was stable at around 5.7 % during 2022–2023. 

Figure 72: Evolution of the percentage of persons with disabilities living in 
households with very low work intensity (WI < 20 %), aged 16-64 

Note: There is a break in time series for Luxembourg and the data ought to be treated with caution. 
Data source: Eurostat.  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe040__custom_11000909/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 26/03/2025 from [ESTAT].  

11.2.5 Statistical tables  

Table 86: Percentage of persons living in households with very low work 
intensity, aged 16-64, Europe 2030 Strategy 
People living in households with very low work intensity are people living in households where the 
adults worked less than 20 % of their total work potential during the past year. 

2023 

Disability 

No 

3.4 

5.9 

5.6 

3.1 

2.5 

6.7 

5.2 

2.3 

7.4 

Total 

5.0 

10.4 

6.5 

4.5 

4.5 

9.1 

10.2 

5.5 

8.7 

Yes 

10.0 

27.8 

18.5 

14.4 

14.2 

19.3 

20.4 

15.7 

20.4 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

2023 

Disability gap 
in pp. 

6.6 

21.9 

12.9 

11.3 

11.7 

12.6 

15.2 

13.4 

13.0 

156 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

14.9 

14.8 

17.3 

13.5 

17.5 

26.5 

18.2 

24.5 

15.5 

13.0 

9.9 

19.1 

13.3 

10.5 

7.6 

16.2 

8.5 

7.7 

6.5 

5.9 

6.1 

3.6 

2.8 

4.8 

7.9 

5.5 

2.8 

3.8 

2.8 

3.5 

2.3 

4.7 

3.9 

5.4 

2.7 

2.9 

8.5 

8.4 

8.3 

5.2 

4.7 

8.3 

9.0 

8.7 

4.0 

6.5 

3.3 

7.6 

4.0 

6.0 

4.5 

7.5 

3.7 

3.9 

8.4 

8.9 

11.2 

9.9 

14.7 

21.7 

10.3 

19.0 

12.7 

9.2 

7.1 

15.6 

11.0 

5.8 

3.7 

10.8 

5.8 

4.8 

EU 

16.7 

5.7 

7.7 

11.0 

Data source: Eurostat.  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe040__custom_11000909/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 26/03/2025 from [ESTAT].  

Table 87: Percentage of persons living in households with very low work 
intensity, aged 16-64, Europe 2030 Strategy 
People living in households with very low work intensity are people living in  households where the 
adults worked less than 20 % of their total work potential during the past year. 

2021 

Disability 

2022 

Disability 

Yes 

11.7 

31.5 

16.0 

18.9 

16.7 

23.8 

18.4 

12.7 

24.7 

19.6 

12.2 

22.1 

11.9 

15.8 

36.7 

19.7 

19.2 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

No 

4.9 

7.3 

6.8 

4.2 

2.5 

6.5 

6.5 

2.6 

11.0 

9.6 

6.8 

7.1 

5.8 

3.1 

7.9 

9.8 

5.2 

Total 

6.4 

11.8 

7.7 

6.0 

4.7 

9.5 

10.2 

5.1 

12.4 

11.8 

8.0 

9.6 

7.0 

4.8 

12.3 

11.1 

8.1 

No 

3.3 

6.6 

7.2 

3.2 

2.2 

5.8 

5.5 

2.2 

8.5 

7.0 

7.4 

6.4 

4.2 

4.1 

5.8 

8.6 

4.9 

Yes 

10.8 

30.5 

15.7 

14.4 

13.3 

20.6 

17.3 

16.4 

22.5 

14.7 

14.7 

19.2 

12.7 

17.8 

30.4 

20.7 

22.9 

157 

Total 

5.1 

11.4 

7.9 

4.5 

4.0 

9.0 

9.4 

5.2 

9.9 

8.8 

9.3 

8.7 

5.7 

6.0 

9.9 

10.1 

8.1 

2022 

Disability gap 
in pp. 

7.5 

23.9 

8.5 

11.2 

11.1 

14.8 

11.8 

14.2 

14.0 

7.7 

7.3 

12.8 

8.5 

13.7 

24.6 

12.1 

18.0 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

12.0 

13.1 

13.5 

19.6 

14.6 

9.2 

5.8 

16.6 

12.3 

11.1 

3.7 

4.0 

3.6 

4.4 

2.5 

4.1 

2.7 

6.6 

2.4 

2.7 

5.5 

6.4 

4.7 

8.0 

4.4 

5.4 

3.2 

8.3 

4.0 

4.5 

6.8 

13.9 

13.6 

19.3 

12.4 

8.8 

6.6 

18.3 

8.0 

7.0 

2.4 

4.2 

2.5 

3.6 

2.4 

4.3 

3.2 

5.6 

3.0 

2.3 

3.5 

6.7 

3.4 

7.7 

4.0 

5.4 

3.7 

7.9 

3.8 

3.3 

4.4 

9.7 

11.1 

15.7 

10.0 

4.5 

3.4 

12.7 

5.0 

4.7 

EU 

18.6 

6.6 

8.7 

17.1 

5.7 

7.8 

11.4 

Data source: Eurostat, 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe040__custom_11000909/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 18 April 2024 from [ESTAT]. 

11.3 People at risk of poverty after social transfers 

11.3.1 Definition of poverty 

As noted above, on 30 January 2023, the Council adopted a Recommendation ‘On adequate 
minimum  income  ensuring  active  inclusion’.  This  Recommendation  aims  at  combating 
poverty and social exclusion. It sets out how Member States can modernise their minimum 
income schemes to make them more effective, lifting people out of poverty while promoting 
the labour market integration of those who can work.68 

In the framework for the 2020–2024 Strategic  Plan, DG Employment,  Social Affairs and 
Inclusion69 defined a set of impact indicators that are relevant to the socio-economic field. 
They include, notably, people at risk of poverty. 

In the framework of the above initiatives, persons at risk of poverty are persons with an 
equivalised disposable income below the at-risk-of-poverty threshold, which is set at 60 % 
of the national median equivalised household disposable income (after social transfers). 

11.3.2 Analysis by Member State 

The data reveal that people with disabilities face a higher risk of  monetary poverty after 
social transfers compared to people without disabilities. At EU level in 2023, about 20.1 % 
of  persons  with  disabilities  aged  16  and  over  faced  a  risk  of  monetary  poverty,  in 
comparison  with  14.1 %  of  persons  without  disabilities  in  the  same  age  group.  The 
percentage for all persons aged 16 and over was 15.7 %. 

In 2023, the percentage of persons with disabilities who were living in households at risk 
of  monetary  poverty  was  high  in  Croatia  (34.9 %),  Lithuania  (36.6 %)  and  Estonia 
(37.9 %). The rate was relatively low in Slovakia (12.4 %), Denmark (14.7 %) and Czechia 
(14.9 %). 

68  European Commission (2022), Proposal for a Council Recommendation On adequate minimum income 

ensuring active inclusion {SWD(2022) 313 final}, Brussels, 28 September 2022, COM (2022) 490 final. See 
https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=89&furtherNews=yes&newsId=10504#:~:text=The
%20Council%20adopted%20today%20a,of%20those%20who%20can%20work. 

69   European Commission (2021), Strategic Plan 2020-2024 – DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, 

https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/strategic-plan-2020-2024-employment-social-affairs-and-
inclusion_en. 

158 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 73: Persons at risk of poverty after social transfers (AROP), aged 16+, 
2023 
Percentage of people living in households with an equivalised household disposable income less than 
60 % of the median national equivalised household disposable income (after social transfers). 
The  numbers  present  the  percentage  of  persons  with  disabilities  at  risk  of  poverty  after  social 
transfers. 

Data source: Eurostat.  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe040__custom_11000909/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 28/03/2025 from [ESTAT].  

11.3.3 Disability poverty gap 

In the EU 27 in 2023, the absolute gap (difference) between persons with disabilities at 
risk of monetary poverty and persons without disabilities at risk of monetary poverty, aged 
16 and over, amounted to 6.0 percentage points.  

The  highest  absolute  gaps  are  observed  in  Lithuania  (19.7  percentage  points),  Estonia 
(19.8 percentage points) and Croatia (21.0 percentage points). The lowest gaps are found 
in  Slovakia  (-0.2  percentage  points),  Romania  (1.4  percentage  points)  and  Greece  (2.0 
percentage points). Comparable results were found in previous years. 

Figure 74: Disability gap in at risk of poverty (AROP), persons aged 16+, 2023 
Disability gap (pp.) = (% of persons with disabilities in AROP) – (% of persons without disabilities in 
AROP) 

159 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Data source: Eurostat.  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe040__custom_11000909/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 28/03/2025 from [ESTAT].  

To better capture the situation of persons with disabilities, we present below the  level of 
the disability poverty gap by age group.  

Concerning persons aged 16-64, one may note that this group relies mainly on earnings 
from  work.  Overall,  their  situation  follows  the  economic  cycle.  In  persons  aged  65  and 
over, one may note that this group relies mainly on retirement pensions. The patterns of 
financial poverty among this group might be different from those for persons aged 16–64. 

In the EU 27 in 2023, the absolute gap (difference) between persons with disabilities at 
risk of poverty and persons without disabilities at risk of poverty, aged 16–64, amounted 
to 6.7 percentage points. The gap in the 65 and over age group was 5.1 percentage points. 
This pattern can be encountered in most Member States. 

Pension systems appear to ensure a lower level of discrimination among older people in 
most Member States.  

It must be stressed that this indicator does not consider health expenses, which might be 
important for older people. Health expenses increase the cost of living and hence the risk 
of poverty, all other things being equal. But this impact is not  considered by the current 
poverty indicator. 

Figure 75: Disability gap in at risk of poverty, by age group, 2023 
Disability gap (pp.) = (% of persons with disabilities in AROP) – (% of persons without disabilities in 
AROP) 

Data source: Eurostat.  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe040__custom_11000909/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 28/03/2025 from [ESTAT].  

11.3.4 Evolution at national level 

In the following graph, a small improvement can be observed in the situation of persons 
with disabilities at EU level between 2022 and 2023. Indeed, the percentage  of persons 
with disabilities living in households at risk of poverty after social transfers fell from 20.5 % 
(2022)  to  20.1 %  (2023).  This  represents  a  decrease  of  0.4  percentage  points  (2.0 % 
decrease). 

An improvement (reduction of monetary poverty) was observed in most Member States. 

160 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 76: People with disabilities at risk of poverty after social transfers in 
2022 and 2023, aged 16+ 

Note: Data for Bulgaria present a break in time series and should be treated with caution. 
Data source: Eurostat.  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe040__custom_11000909/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 28/03/2025 from [ESTAT].  

11.3.5 Statistical tables  

Table 88: Percentage of persons at risk of poverty after social transfers, aged 
16+ 
Percentage of people living in households with an equivalised household disposable income less than 
60 % of the median national equivalised household disposable income (after social transfers). 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

Yes 

17.2 

17.9 

24.2 

24.2 

14.9 

20.3 

14.7 

37.9 

20.0 

21.0 

16.6 

18.3 

34.9 

20.4 

18.7 

21.4 

36.6 

20.9 

34.1 

2023 

Disability 

No 

12.6 

10.1 

19.7 

11.1 

7.3 

12.3 

10.7 

18.1 

18.0 

17.8 

10.8 

12.5 

13.9 

9.7 

9.1 

17.5 

16.9 

16.8 

17.1 

Total 

14.0 

12.1 

20.3 

13.8 

9.3 

14.5 

12.2 

24.5 

18.5 

18.7 

12.8 

14.0 

20.0 

12.1 

11.1 

18.3 

22.3 

17.3 

24.0 

2023 

Disability gap 
in pp. 

4.6 

7.8 

4.5 

13.1 

7.6 

8.0 

4.0 

19.8 

2.0 

3.2 

5.8 

5.8 

21.0 

10.7 

9.6 

3.9 

19.7 

4.1 

17.0 

161 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

Yes 

24.8 

15.9 

19.8 

21.1 

20.4 

23.5 

21.4 

12.4 

2023 

Disability 

No 

14.2 

10.3 

13.2 

13.8 

19.0 

13.7 

10.9 

12.6 

Total 

15.7 

12.1 

14.8 

16.3 

19.4 

15.9 

13.2 

12.6 

EU 

20.1 

14.1 

15.7 

2023 

Disability gap 
in pp. 

10.6 

5.6 

6.6 

7.3 

1.4 

9.8 

10.5 

-0.2 

6.0 

Data source: Eurostat, 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe020/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 28/03/2025 from [ESTAT]. 

Table 89: Percentage of persons at risk of poverty after social transfers, aged 
16+ 
Percentage of people living in households with an equivalised household disposable income less than 
60 % of the median national equivalised household disposable income (after social transfers). 

2021 

Disability 

2022 

Disability 

Yes 

17.9 

18.8 

31.6 

21.6 

12.7 

22.4 

14.6 

34.0 

18.0 

23.1 

13.5 

18.5 

31.8 

21.1 

25.9 

19.2 

32.6 

19.2 

37.5 

27.1 

21.4 

22.0 

23.0 

26.1 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

No 

11.9 

10.1 

21.0 

11.4 

6.5 

14.1 

11.8 

16.3 

19.0 

19.4 

10.3 

12.0 

14.1 

10.2 

9.7 

19.6 

15.6 

14.7 

17.7 

14.2 

11.1 

13.4 

15.3 

19.0 

Total 

13.6 

12.2 

22.9 

13.3 

8.0 

16.2 

12.8 

22.2 

18.8 

20.4 

11.2 

13.5 

19.8 

12.6 

12.8 

19.5 

20.9 

15.9 

25.1 

16.3 

14.2 

15.4 

18.0 

21.1 

No 

12.7 

10.5 

21.2 

11.5 

7.2 

11.7 

11.5 

17.9 

17.7 

18.1 

11.3 

12.7 

12.4 

9.8 

10.5 

19.1 

16.3 

14.8 

16.5 

14.1 

11.1 

13.0 

14.0 

18.8 

Yes 

17.3 

21.1 

37.0 

23.2 

17.5 

19.2 

15.1 

44.4 

19.7 

21.3 

17.6 

18.4 

32.7 

20.4 

26.0 

20.1 

37.7 

18.7 

36.0 

29.0 

21.6 

19.1 

20.0 

23.5 

162 

Total 

14.0 

13.2 

23.5 

13.7 

9.9 

14.0 

12.8 

26.0 

18.2 

19.1 

13.4 

14.1 

18.7 

12.3 

13.8 

19.4 

22.3 

15.9 

24.0 

16.3 

14.5 

14.5 

16.0 

20.2 

2022 

Disability gap 
in pp. 

4.6 

10.6 

15.8 

11.7 

10.3 

7.5 

3.6 

26.5 

2.0 

3.2 

6.3 

5.7 

20.3 

10.6 

15.5 

1.0 

21.4 

3.9 

19.5 

14.9 

10.5 

6.1 

6.0 

4.7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

2021 

Disability 

2022 

Disability 

Yes 

22.6 

19.7 

12.8 

No 

13.4 

10.0 

10.4 

SE 

SI 

SK 

Total 

15.2 

12.1 

11.1 

Yes 

24.5 

20.0 

13.6 

No 

13.7 

10.7 

11.5 

Total 

16.1 

12.7 

12.2 

2022 

Disability gap 
in pp. 

10.8 

9.3 

2.1 

EU 

21.1 

14.9 

16.4 

20.5 

14.5 

16.1 

6.0 

Data source: Eurostat, 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe020/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 18 April 2024 from [ESTAT]. 

Table 90: Percentage of persons at risk of poverty after social transfers, by age 
group, 2023 
Percentage of people living in households with an equivalised household disposable income less than 
60 % of the median national equivalised household disposable income (after social transfers). 

Age: 16-64 

Disability 

Age: 65+ 

Disability 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

Yes 

16.6 

18.4 

23.4 

19.5 

13.2 

19.4 

16.1 

25.4 

22.1 

21.8 

17.2 

20.4 

28.5 

22.9 

17.4 

25.9 

30.7 

23.9 

24.6 

18.1 

17.6 

19.3 

22.4 

26.7 

24.9 

18.3 

13.8 

No 

12.1 

9.0 

19.1 

10.3 

6.5 

11.8 

10.9 

14.0 

18.5 

17.9 

10.7 

13.3 

12.0 

9.4 

8.3 

17.9 

14.6 

18.1 

15.1 

11.7 

10.0 

12.7 

14.1 

19.7 

14.1 

9.9 

13.2 

Gap in pp. 

4.5 

9.4 

4.3 

9.2 

6.7 

7.6 

5.2 

11.4 

3.6 

3.9 

6.5 

7.1 

16.5 

13.5 

9.1 

8.0 

16.1 

5.8 

9.5 

6.4 

7.6 

6.6 

8.3 

7.0 

10.8 

8.4 

0.6 

Yes 

18.2 

17.0 

24.6 

28.9 

16.5 

21.1 

12.0 

52.3 

19.1 

19.7 

15.7 

15.8 

39.4 

18.5 

20.8 

18.8 

41.6 

14.7 

44.6 

30.3 

13.2 

20.2 

19.8 

16.6 

21.1 

25.6 

10.9 

No 

15.7 

14.8 

21.8 

17.1 

11.6 

15.2 

9.8 

40.3 

15.1 

16.9 

11.3 

9.3 

26.4 

11.3 

14.0 

15.5 

30.9 

9.4 

31.4 

28.4 

11.6 

15.5 

12.8 

11.8 

12.1 

15.4 

7.0 

Gap in pp. 

2.5 

2.2 

2.8 

11.8 

4.9 

5.9 

2.2 

12.0 

4.0 

2.8 

4.4 

6.5 

13.0 

7.2 

6.8 

3.3 

10.7 

5.3 

13.2 

1.9 

1.6 

4.7 

7.0 

4.8 

9.0 

10.2 

3.9 

EU 

20.8 

14.1 

6.7 

19.3 

14.2 

5.1 

163 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Data source: Eurostat, 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe020/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 28/03/2025 from [ESTAT]. 

Table 91: Percentage of persons at risk of poverty after social transfers, by age 
group, 2022 
Percentage of people living in households with an equivalised household disposable income less than 
60 % of the median national equivalised household disposable income (after social transfers). 

Age: 16-64 

Disability 

Age: 65+ 

Disability 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

Yes 

17.5 

21.4 

25.0 

18.9 

15.8 

19.0 

15.6 

28.6 

24.6 

21.7 

16.4 

21.3 

26.3 

25.9 

22.9 

20.8 

30.2 

20.9 

26.8 

23.3 

23.7 

20.1 

20.7 

27.8 

26.9 

16.3 

17.7 

No 

12.6 

9.3 

18.6 

11.2 

6.3 

11.2 

11.5 

13.2 

18.4 

18.4 

11.5 

13.3 

10.9 

9.8 

8.9 

19.8 

13.4 

15.5 

14.6 

11.5 

10.2 

12.9 

14.1 

19.1 

13.5 

9.8 

12.0 

Gap in pp. 

4.9 

12.1 

6.4 

7.7 

9.5 

7.8 

4.1 

15.4 

6.2 

3.3 

4.9 

8.0 

15.4 

16.1 

14.0 

1.0 

16.8 

5.4 

12.2 

11.8 

13.5 

7.2 

6.6 

8.7 

13.4 

6.5 

5.7 

Yes 

16.8 

20.6 

44.8 

27.1 

18.9 

19.4 

14.2 

61.0 

17.4 

20.8 

19.1 

15.4 

37.3 

16.0 

31.5 

19.6 

44.7 

12.7 

45.3 

33.7 

18.2 

18.1 

19.2 

20.8 

20.3 

24.6 

8.7 

No 

13.0 

15.9 

31.9 

13.8 

12.2 

14.0 

11.7 

43.4 

13.8 

16.5 

10.7 

10.0 

22.5 

9.7 

20.2 

16.0 

34.0 

9.1 

31.8 

27.7 

15.3 

13.8 

13.7 

15.4 

14.5 

15.2 

6.9 

Gap in pp. 

3.8 

4.7 

12.9 

13.3 

6.7 

5.4 

2.5 

17.6 

3.6 

4.3 

8.4 

5.4 

14.8 

6.3 

11.3 

3.6 

10.7 

3.6 

13.5 

6.0 

2.9 

4.3 

5.5 

5.4 

5.8 

9.4 

1.8 

EU 

21.2 

14.5 

6.7 

19.7 

14.5 

5.2 

Data source: Eurostat, 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe020/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 18 April 2024 from [ESTAT]. 

164 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

11.4 Persons who are severely materially and socially deprived 

11.4.1 Definition of severe material and social deprivation 

The framework for the 2020–2024 Strategic Plan70 defined a set of impact indicators that 
are relevant to the socio-economic field. Severe material and social deprivation (SMSD) is 
a component of the at-risk-of-poverty-or-social-exclusion indicator (AROPE). 

The  Europe  2030  Strategy  has  (re)defined  the  SMSD  indicator  as  the  proportion  of  the 
population experiencing an enforced lack of at least 7 out of 13 deprivation items (6 related 
to the individual and 7 related to the household). 

This indicator presents the share of the population with an enforced lack of at least 7 out 
of 13 deprivation items (7 related to the household and 6 related to the individual). 

List of items at household level71: 

1. 
2. 
3. 

4. 

5. 
6. 
7. 

Capacity to face unexpected expenses. 
Capacity to afford paying for a one-week annual holiday away from home. 
Capacity to being confronted with payment arrears (on mortgage or rental payments, 
utility bills, hire purchase instalments or other loan payments). 
Capacity  to  afford  a  meal  with  meat,  chicken,  fish  or  vegetarian  equivalent  every 
second day. 
Ability to keep home adequately warm. 
Have access to a car/van for personal use. 
Replacing worn-out furniture. 

List of items at individual level: 

1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 
6. 

Having internet connection. 
Replacing worn-out clothes by some new ones. 
Having two pairs of properly fitting shoes (including a pair of all-weather shoes). 
Spending a small amount of money each week on him/herself. 
Having regular leisure activities. 
Getting together with friends/family for a drink/meal at least once a month. 

Deprivation here refers to an enforced lack and not to a deliberate choice.  

11.4.2 Analysis by Member State 

In  2023,  about  11.0 %  of  persons  with  disabilities  aged  16  and  over  were  living  in 
households at  risk  of  SMSD, compared to  4.9 % of people without disabilities.  The total 
was 6.5 %.  

There was a wide range of situations across the Member States. The proportion of severely 
materially and socially deprived persons was low in Czechia (4.3 %), Slovenia (4.7 %) and 
Cyprus  (4.8 %).  It  was  relatively  high  in  Hungary  (17.9 %),  Bulgaria  (28.1 %)  and 
Romania (28.4 %). For the latter countries, we saw a similar ranking in previous years. 

70   European Commission (2021), Strategic Plan 2020-2024 – DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, 

https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/strategic-plan-2020-2024-employment-social-affairs-and-
inclusion_en. 

71   See https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/SEPDF/cache/120186.pdf.  

165 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 77: Percentage of persons severely materially and socially deprived by 
disability status and Member State, 2023 
Percentage of population with an enforced lack of at least 7 out of 13 deprivation items (age 16+). 
The  numbers  present  the  percentage  of  persons  with  disabilities  that  are  severely  materially  and 
socially deprived. 

Data source: Eurostat.  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe040__custom_11000909/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 28/03/2025 from [ESTAT].  

The range of variation here is much bigger compared to other poverty indicators. In fact, 
the characteristics of a group of persons in one country is not compared with a national 
average. Here, the reference is the same for all Member States: deprivation in at least  7 
out of 13 deprivation items. In summary, we see here an absolute measure of poverty and 
not a relative one, as in the case of monetary poverty. 

11.4.3 Disability gap in severe material and social deprivation 

If we define disadvantage as the difference in respective rates between persons with and 
without  disabilities,  we  find  that,  in  the  EU 27  in  2023,  this  disadvantage  was  6.1 
percentage points among persons aged 16 and over. 

This disadvantage ranges from a low 2.8 percentage points (Czechia) to 13.3 percentage 
points (Romania).  

166 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 78: Disadvantage of persons with disabilities in severe material and 
social deprivation, aged 16+, 2023 
Disadvantage  =  (Percentage  of  persons  with  disabilities)  –  (Percentage  of  persons  without 
disabilities); expressed in percentage points (pp.). 

Data source: Eurostat.  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe040__custom_11000909/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 28/03/2025 from [ESTAT].  

11.4.4 Evolution at national level 

For  persons  with  disabilities  aged  16  and  over,  we  observed  a  deterioration  in  their 
situation  (increase  in  percentage)  in  most  Member  States.  This  resulted  in  a  relatively 
slight increase at EU level in the percentage of persons with disabilities who were severely 
materially and socially deprived.  

At EU level, the percentage increased from 10.4 % (2022) to 11.0 % (2023). 

Figure 79: Percentage of persons with disabilities severely materially and 
socially deprived in 2022 and 2023, aged 16+ 

Data source: Eurostat.  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe040__custom_11000909/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 28/03/2025 from [ESTAT].  

167 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

11.4.5 Ability to keep home warm 

The  exceptional  rise  in  global  energy  prices  in  recent  years  raises  questions  about  the 
ability of households to pay their energy bills. The ability to keep a home adequately warm 
is part of the material and social deprivation items. Here, we will analyse it in detail. 

Persons with disabilities, notably persons with mobility disabilities, might need more hours 
of heating at home. In addition, persons with health problems might require longer heating 
periods  and/or  higher  temperatures.  This  raises  questions  about  their  capacity  to  pay 
electricity and gas bills. 

It  is  hypothesised  that  prolonged  exposure  to  uncomfortably  low  ambient  temperature 
leads to bad health or deteriorates existing health problems.72 In addition, fragile persons 
are  more  vulnerable  to  bad  heating  conditions.  Given  that  82.7 %  of  persons  with 
disabilities aged 16 and over reported a long-standing health problem, compared to 14.7 % 
of persons without disabilities in the EU 2773, in 2023, the question of energy prices appears 
to be important in maintaining good health. 

The  EU-SILC  survey  presents  information  on  the  ability  of  people  to  keep  their  home 
adequately warm (HH050). The question is ‘Can your household afford to keep its home 
adequately warm?’ Possible answers are ‘yes’ and ‘no’. 

In the EU 27, about 15.1 % (10.7 % in 202074) of persons with disabilities aged 16 and 
over declared that they were unable to keep their home adequately warm. This rate was 
9.0 % (6.5 % in 2020) for persons without disabilities. The total rate was 10.7 % (7.5 % 
in 2020) for the same age group.  

Figure 80: Percentage of persons unable to keep their home adequately warm 
by disability status and Member State, aged 16+, 2023 

Data source: Eurostat.  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dhc140__custom_16406980/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 28/04/2025 from [ESTAT].  

It is important to assess how persons with disabilities and persons without disabilities react 
to changes in energy prices and income levels. In the following, we assume and test that 

72   Stewart, S., ‘Lower Heating Prices Prevent Winter Deaths, Particularly from Cardiovascular and Respiratory 

Causes’, The Bulletin on Health, No. 2, July 2019, National Bureau of Economic Research, 
https://www.nber.org/bh-20192/lower-heating-prices-prevent-winter-deaths-particularly-cardiovascular-
and-respiratory-causes. 

73   EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 
74   Comparison is made with the pre-COVID-19 period, when the situation was more stable. 

168 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

an  increase  in  disposable  income  decreases  inability  to  keep  a  home  adequately  warm, 
while an increase in energy prices increases this inability. We will study how both groups 
react to variations in these two variables. 

For disposable income, we use mean equivalised net income of all persons aged 16 and 
over.75  For  energy  price,  we  take  the  simple  average  of  natural  gas  prices  for  medium-
sized households and the cost of electrical energy for medium-sized households.76 

In  the  figure  on  the  following  page,  we  present  the  evolution  of  inability  to  keep  home 
adequately  warm  among  persons  with  disabilities  following  the  change  in  energy  prices 
and income. We can observe that the recent increase in energy prices has sharply increased 
the inability to keep a home adequately warm for persons with disabilities. On the other 
hand,  an  increasing  income  is  associated  with  a  decreasing  inability  to  keep  home 
adequately  warm.  We  note  that,  in  recent  years,  the  impact  of  energy  prices  has  been 
stronger than the income effect. The total result was therefore an increase in this inability. 

Persons  without  disabilities  present  a  similar  evolution.  However,  while  the  impact  of  a 
change  in  income  is  equivalent,  persons  with  disabilities  are  more  sensitive  to  energy 
prices. This implies that, for the same increase in energy prices, the additional percentage 
of persons with disabilities who will declare themselves unable to keep a home adequately 
warm will be greater than that of persons without disabilities.77 

This means that any policy to counterweight the impact of higher energy prices ought to 
consider this greater sensitivity of persons with disabilities compared to persons without 
disabilities. 

75   Eurostat, 

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ilc_di03__custom_16407870/default/table?lang=en, data 
on mean income extracted on 28/04/2025 from [ESTAT]. 

76   Both prices are annual averages. Natural gas: Euros for a gigajoule (gross calorific value – GCV) and for 

electrical energy: Euros per 100 Kilowatt-hour. Data source: Eurostat. Natural gas: 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ten00118/default/table?lang=en,  
Electricity: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ten00117/default/table?lang=en,   
Data extracted from [ESTAT].  

77   We have run ordinary least squares regressions for persons with and without disabilities separately. Inability 

to keep a home adequately warm is a function of income and energy price. The results are: 
Inability of persons with disabilities in % = - 0.00092 (0.00014) x Income + 0.609 (0.084) x Price + 18.01 
(1.75); R²=0.83, years: 2010-2023, F (2,11) = 27.3. Different specifications provide similar results. 
Inability of persons without disabilities in % = - 0.00092 (0.00015) x Income + 0.471 (0.086) x Price + 
15.91 (1.80); R²=0.79, years: 2010-2023, F (2,11) = 20.2. 
Standard errors in italics and in parentheses. 
The semi-elasticity (d(y) / d(lnx)), where x is the energy price, is higher for persons with disabilities (12.5) 
than for persons without disabilities (9.7). If we consider income, the semi-elasticities are similar for both 
groups (-17.6).  

169 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 81: Evolution of inability to keep home adequately warm by persons with 
disabilities, energy price and income 
Inability increases as energy prices increase and inability decreases as income increases. 

Note: For income, we use mean equivalised net income of all persons aged 16 and over. For energy 
prices, we take the simple average of natural gas price for medium-sized households and the cost of 
electrical energy for medium-sized households. 
Data source: Eurostat. Inability to keep home adequately warm: 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dhc140__custom_16406980/default/table?la
ng=en.  
Natural gas: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ten00118/default/table?lang=en, 
Electricity: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ten00117/default/table?lang=en,  
Data extracted on 28/04/2025 from [ESTAT].  

11.4.6 Statistical annex 

Table 92: Percentage of persons living in households at risk of severe material 
and social deprivation by disability status and Member State, 2023, aged 16+ 
Percentage of population with an enforced lack of at least 7 out of 13 deprivation items (age 16+). 

2023 
Disability 
No 
2.0 

3.7 

16.5 

1.6 

1.5 

4.7 

2.6 

0.9 

Total 
3.4 

5.7 

18.1 

2.3 

2.3 

6.5 

4.8 

2.2 

11.9 

13.0 

6.2 

1.7 

4.3 

1.4 

7.0 

3.5 

4.0 

8.3 

3.0 

6.1 

3.0 

9.4 

5.3 

4.6 

Yes 
6.7 

11.4 

28.1 

4.8 

4.3 

10.9 

8.6 

4.9 

16.7 

13.3 

5.5 

10.9 

6.9 

17.9 

12.1 

6.9 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

2023 
Disability gap 
in pp. 
4.7 

7.7 

11.6 

3.2 

2.8 

6.2 

6.0 

4.0 

4.8 

7.1 

3.8 

6.6 

5.5 

10.9 

8.6 

2.9 

170 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

2023 
Disability 
No 
4.2 

1.7 

3.6 

2.9 

1.5 

1.8 

2.9 

Total 
6.0 

2.1 

6.5 

3.9 

2.7 

3.0 

5.0 

Yes 
10.8 

4.8 

10.7 

10.4 

5.2 

6.6 

9.1 

28.4 

15.1 

19.2 

6.7 

4.7 

8.8 

1.4 

1.3 

4.8 

2.5 

2.1 

6.0 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

2023 
Disability gap 
in pp. 
6.6 

3.1 

7.1 

7.5 

3.7 

4.8 

6.2 

13.3 

5.3 

3.4 

4.0 

EU 

11.0 

4.9 

6.5 

6.1 

Data source: Eurostat. 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe040__custom_11000909/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 28/03/2025 from [ESTAT].  

Table 93: Percentage of persons living in households at risk of severe material 
and social deprivation by disability status and Member State, 2022, aged 16+ 
Percentage of population with an enforced lack of at least 7 out of 13 deprivation items (age 16+). 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

Yes 
3.7 

12.4 

28.4 

4.1 

2.9 

9.1 

6.4 

4.0 

15.0 

13.0 

2.2 

11.2 

7.8 

17.7 

12.6 

8.3 

10.9 

3.8 

8.7 

9.2 

5.2 

6.3 

10.8 

2021 
Disability 

No 
0.8 

3.5 

17.9 

1.7 

1.1 

2.9 

1.2 

0.9 

Total 
1.6 

5.7 

19.7 

2.2 

1.5 

4.4 

3.0 

1.9 

12.9 

13.4 

5.8 

0.7 

4.1 

1.8 

6.8 

2.4 

5.2 

4.4 

1.5 

3.4 

4.1 

0.8 

2.1 

3.6 

7.8 

1.2 

5.7 

3.7 

9.2 

4.4 

5.9 

6.4 

2.1 

5.4 

4.9 

2.1 

3.0 

6.1 

2022 
Disability 
No 
0.9 

3.4 

17.7 

1.6 

1.2 

3.4 

1.0 

1.7 

Total 
2.2 

5.4 

19.3 

2.3 

1.8 

5.4 

3.3 

3.3 

13.1 

13.5 

5.5 

1.0 

5.2 

2.2 

6.1 

3.1 

3.8 

3.8 

0.8 

4.6 

3.5 

0.9 

1.9 

3.0 

7.1 

2.0 

6.9 

4.1 

8.5 

4.6 

4.4 

6.3 

1.6 

8.3 

4.6 

2.3 

2.9 

5.3 

Yes 
5.5 

11.2 

28.9 

5.4 

3.6 

10.0 

7.3 

7.0 

15.0 

10.9 

3.9 

12.0 

8.1 

16.3 

10.4 

6.2 

12.7 

3.6 

14.1 

10.8 

5.5 

6.3 

9.8 

171 

2022 
Disability gap 
in pp. 
4.6 

7.8 

11.2 

3.8 

2.4 

6.6 

6.3 

5.3 

1.9 

5.4 

2.9 

6.8 

5.9 

10.2 

7.3 

2.4 

8.9 

2.8 

9.5 

7.3 

4.6 

4.4 

6.8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

2021 
Disability 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

Yes 
31.5 

4.0 

5.6 

8.2 

No 
18.2 

0.8 

0.9 

4.0 

Total 
22.1 

1.4 

1.9 

5.3 

Yes 
31.6 

6.1 

3.2 

8.1 

2022 
Disability 
No 
19.5 

1.0 

0.8 

4.3 

Total 
23.0 

2.1 

1.3 

5.4 

EU 

10.9 

4.9 

6.4 

10.4 

4.9 

6.3 

2022 
Disability gap 
in pp. 
12.1 

5.1 

2.4 

3.8 

5.5 

Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dm010__custom_11058940/default/table?la
ng=en. 
2021:  Data extracted  on 24 April 2024  from  [ESTAT].  2022:  Data  extracted  on  28/03/2025  from 
[ESTAT].  

Table 94: Percentage of persons declaring inability to keep home adequately 
warm by disability status and Member State, 2023, aged 16+ 

2023 

Disability 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

Yes 

5.9 

9.3 

30.8 

23.4 

10.4 

10.3 

11.4 

7.4 

25.3 

28.1 

3.8 

17.3 

13.1 

13.1 

11.3 

13 

30.4 

3.5 

10.6 

12.1 

11.5 

8.1 

30.3 

16.6 

9.6 

8.6 

9.2 

No 

2.9 

4.7 

19.6 

14.9 

4.7 

7.1 

4.2 

2.9 

17.6 

17.8 

2.0 

10.0 

4.0 

5.6 

5.5 

8.5 

Total 

3.8 

5.8 

21.1 

16.7 

6.2 

8.0 

6.9 

4.3 

19.4 

20.8 

2.6 

12.0 

6.6 

7.3 

6.7 

9.5 

18.0 

21.4 

1.8 

4.5 

5.8 

4.6 

3.9 

17.3 

10.5 

4.5 

2.4 

6.2 

2.0 

7.0 

6.7 

6.9 

4.9 

21.7 

12.4 

5.6 

3.8 

7.1 

EU 

15.1 

9.0 

10.7 

172 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Data source: Eurostat. 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dhc140/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilchc. Data extracted on 28/04/2025 from [ESTAT].   

Table 95: Evolution of inability to keep home adequately warm, energy price 
and income. 

  Inability to keep home 
adequately warm, EU 27 

Persons 
with 
disabilities 
13.0 

Persons 
without 
disabilities 
8.9 

13.8 

14.5 

13.9 

14.0 

13.8 

12.6 

11.8 

11.4 

10.6 

10.7 

11.3 

13.8 

15.1 

9.0 

10.0 

9.6 

9.1 

8.2 

8.0 

7.2 

6.6 

5.8 

6.5 

6.2 

8.0 

9.0 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

2014 

2015 

2016 

2017 

2018 

2019 

2020 

2021 

2022 

2023 

Price (Gas 
& 
Electricity) 

Mean equivalised 
net income, EU 27 

17.2 

18.4 

19.3 

19.8 

19.8 

19.8 

19.2 

19.0 

19.2 

20.1 

19.6 

19.9 

24.6 

31.2 

16 877 

17 000 

17 271 

17 338 

17 435 

17 765 

18 203 

18 683 

19 266 

19 794 

20 970 

21 116 

21 803 

23 313 

20.49 

19 059 

Mean 
Note: For disposable income, we use mean equivalised net income of all persons aged 16 and over. 
For energy prices, we take the simple average of natural gas price for medium-sized households 
and the cost of electrical energy for medium-sized households (x100). 
Data source: Eurostat. Inability to keep home adequately warm: 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dhc140__custom_16406980/default/table?la
ng=en.  
Natural gas: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ten00118/default/table?lang=en, 
Electricity: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ten00117/default/table?lang=en,  
Data extracted on 28/04/2025 from [ESTAT].  

11.5 People at risk of poverty or social exclusion 

11.5.1 Definition of risk of poverty or social exclusion 

The indicator ‘People at risk of poverty or social exclusion’ (AROPE) is a main indicator for 
monitoring  the  EU  2030  target  on  poverty  and  social  exclusion.  The  headline  indicator 
combines  three  sub-indicators:  the  risk  of  poverty  after  social  transfers,  the  severe 
material  and  social  deprivation,  and  people  living  in  households  with  very  low  work 
intensity.  

This headline indicator corresponds to the sum of persons who are either at risk of poverty, 
or  severely  materially  and  socially  deprived,  or  living  in  households  with  very  low  work 
intensity. Persons present in several sub-indicators are counted only once. 

173 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

11.5.2 Analysis by Member State 

In the EU 27 in 2023, about 28.8 % of people with disabilities aged 16 and over were living 
in households at risk of poverty or social exclusion, compared to 18.0 % of persons without 
a disability in the same age group. The percentage for all persons aged 16 and over was 
20.9 %. 

For persons with disabilities, the lowest rates could be found in Slovakia (18.6 %), Czechia 
(19.4 %)  and  the  Netherlands  (22.0 %).  The  highest  rates  could  be  found  in  Estonia 
(41.0 %), Bulgaria (42.4 %) and Lithuania (42.7 %).  

Figure 82: Percentage of persons living in households at risk of poverty or social 
exclusion (AROPE), aged 16+, 2023 
Percentage of persons who are either at risk of poverty or severely materially and socially deprived, 
or living in households with very low work intensity. Crude rates (not age-adjusted). 

Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe010/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 28 March 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

11.5.3 Disability gap in AROPE 

In  the  EU 27  in  2023,  the  absolute  gap  between  persons  with  and  without  disabilities 
amounted to 10.8 percentage points.  

Wide  gaps  are  observed  in  Estonia  (22.1  percentage  points),  Croatia  (22.6  percentage) 
and Lithuania (23.1 percentage points). In contrast, small gaps are found in Slovakia (3.8 
percentage points), Italy (5.4 percentage points) and Greece (6.4 percentage points). 

174 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 83: The poverty and social exclusion gap between persons with and 
without disability, aged 16+, 2023 
Absolute  gap  (in  pp.):  percentage  of  persons  with  disabilities  –  percentage  of  persons  without 
disabilities. 

Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe010/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 28 March 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

11.5.4 Persons at risk of poverty or social exclusion, by gender 

In the EU 27 in 2023, about 29.7 % of women with disabilities aged 16 and over were at 
risk of poverty or social exclusion, compared to 27.5 % of men with disabilities in the same 
age group.  

At EU level, this gender gap among persons with disabilities is 2.2 percentage points. The 
gender gap among persons without disabilities is 2.0 percentage points. For comparison, 
the global disability gap, between persons with and without disabilities, is 10.8 percentage 
points. 

The gender gap among persons with disabilities was high in Luxembourg (8.3 percentage 
points), Lithuania (8.8 percentage points) and Estonia (10.1 percentage points). However, 
due to small samples in these countries, the data are indicative. 

These data may underestimate the gender gap, as the indicator is calculated at household 
level and assigned equally to all household members. As a result, it does not account for 
inequalities within households. 

175 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 84: Percentage of persons living in households at risk of poverty or social 
exclusion by gender and disability status, aged 16+, 2023 

Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe010/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 28 March 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

11.5.5 Persons at risk of poverty or social exclusion by age group 

Analysis by age group reveals interesting aspects. 

In the EU 27 in 2023, about 33.6 % of people with disabilities aged 16–64 were living in 
households at risk of poverty or social exclusion, compared to 18.4 % of persons without 
disabilities in the same age group. The difference amounts to 15.2 percentage points. In 
relative terms, it is 82.6 % (relative to persons without disabilities). 

176 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 85: Percentage of persons living in households at risk of poverty or social 
exclusion, aged 16-64, 2023 
Percentage of persons who are either at risk of poverty or severely materially and socially 
deprived, or living in households with very low work intensity. 

Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe010/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 28 March 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

In  the  EU 27  in  2023,  about  23.7 %  of  persons  with  disabilities  aged  65  and  over  were 
living in households at risk of poverty or social exclusion (33.6 % for the 16–64 age group), 
compared  to  16.0 %  of  persons  without  disabilities  in  the  same  age  group  (18.4 %  for 
persons aged 16-64). The difference amounts to 7.7 percentage points (15.2 percentage 
points for the 16–64 age group). In relative terms, it is 48.1 % (82.6 % for the 16–64 age 
group). 

Figure 86: Percentage of persons living in households at risk of poverty or social 
exclusion, aged 65+, 2023 
Percentage of persons who are either at risk of poverty or severely materially and socially deprived, 
or living in households with very low work intensity. 

Data source: Eurostat,  

177 

 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe010/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 28 March 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

In  the  following  figure,  we  can  observe  that  the  disadvantage  (gap)  of  persons  with 
disabilities  compared  to  persons  without  disabilities  is  higher  in  the  age  group  16–64 
compared to those aged 65 and over, in almost all Member States (except in Slovenia and 
Slovakia).  

In the EU 27 in 2023, the absolute disability gap is 15.2 percentage points among persons 
aged 16–64, compared to 7.7 percentage points among persons aged 65 and over. 

It can be hypothesised that retirement pensions significantly reduce the disability gap in 
poverty or social exclusion in several Member States. However, in many Member States, 
the combination of labour policies and social protection for individuals aged 16–64 appears 
less effective in narrowing this gap. 

Figure 87: Absolute gap in AROPE between persons with and without disability 
by age group and Member State, 2023 
Absolute  gap  (in  pp.):  percentage  of  persons  with  disabilities  in  AROPE  –  percentage  of  persons 
without disabilities in AROPE. 

Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe010/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 28 March 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

In  the  EU 27  in  2023,  the  relative  disability  gap  is  82.6 %  among  persons  aged  16–64 
compared to 48.1 % among persons aged 65 and over. 

The relative disability gap among persons aged 16–64 exceeds 150 % in Croatia, Ireland, 
Czechia, Hungary and Belgium. In contrast, for those aged 65 and over, this rate is below 
50 % in most Member States. 

178 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 88: Relative gap in AROPE between persons with and without disability 
by age group and Member State, 2023 
Relative gap (%): 100*(Percentage of persons with disabilities in AROPE  – Percentage of persons 
without  disabilities  in  AROPE)  /  (Percentage  of  persons  without  disabilities  in  AROPE)

Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe010/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 28 March 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

The  evolution  by  age  group  of  the  percentage  of  persons  living  in  households  at  risk  of 
poverty or social exclusion varies depending on disability status.  

Globally,  for  persons  with  disabilities,  the  percentage  increases  initially  and  decreases 
thereafter.  For  persons  without  disabilities,  the  rate  decreases  continuously  until 
retirement age and increases thereafter. 

It is important to note that individuals in their economically active years (ages 16–64) and 
retirees (65 and over) face different risks. This is reflected in the AROPE indicator, where 
work intensity is a key factor for those aged 16–64 but has no relevance for retirees. 

It is important to note that poverty among economically active persons does not require 
the same policies as for older people. For persons aged 16 to 64, the main routes for taking 
people out of poverty or social exclusion are employment and education. For persons aged 
65 and over, policies concerning retirement pensions are more relevant. For these reasons, 
it is desirable to differentiate between the situation of persons aged 16 to 64 and that of 
persons aged 65 and over. 

179 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 89: Percentage of persons living in households at risk of poverty or social 
exclusion by age group and disability status, EU, 2023 

Note:  Dotted  and  dashed  lines  are  quadratic  estimations.  A  quadratic  fit  expresses  AROPE  as  a 
function of age and age squared.  
Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe010/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 4 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

The  disadvantage  of  persons  with  disabilities  compared  to  persons  without  disabilities 
increases during economic life and decreases thereafter, notably for the 65+ age group. 
Retirement pensions and social protection targeting older people significantly decrease the 
gaps. 

Figure 90: Disability gap in AROPE by age group, EU, 2023 

Absolute gap: (% persons with disabilities – % Persons without disabilities). 
Relative gap: 100*(% persons with disabilities – % Persons without disabilities) / (% Persons without 
disabilities). 
Dotted and dashed lines are polynomial estimations for relative and absolute gaps, respectively. 
Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe010/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 4 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

11.5.6 Children at risk of poverty or social exclusion 

For completeness, we present below a summary of past EDE reports. 

The  EU-SILC  2021  survey  included  a  three-year  rotating  module  on  disability  among 
persons aged under 16 years. This enables us to present poverty or social exclusion among 
young persons with disabilities. 

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Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

In the EU 27 in 2021, about 31.6 % of children with disabilities aged under 16 were living 
in households at risk of poverty or social exclusion, in comparison with 23.7 % of children 
without a disability in the same age group. The percentage for all children aged under 16 
was 24.0 %. For comparison, the percentage for persons aged 16 and over was 21.5 %. 

This represents about 16 million children aged under 16 living in private households at risk 
of poverty or social exclusion, out of a total of 68 million children. The number of children 
with disabilities living in households at risk of poverty amounts to about 1 million children 
aged under 16. 

Generally, families with three children or more experience higher rates of poverty or social 
exclusion. This rate tends to increase with the number of children. 

11.5.7 Persons at risk of poverty or social exclusion by degree of disability  

Persons with severe disabilities face a higher risk than persons with moderate disabilities. 

In  the  EU 27,  in  2023,  about  35.6 %  of  persons  with  severe  disabilities  faced  a  risk  of 
poverty  or  social  exclusion.  This  rate  was  26.3 %  for  persons  with  moderate  disabilities 
and 18.0 % for persons without disabilities. Consequently, persons with severe disabilities 
should be regarded as a priority target for policy action. 

Figure 91: Percentage of persons living in households at risk of poverty or social 
exclusion by degree of disability, aged 16+, 2023 

Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe010/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 28 March 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

11.5.8 Evolution in the Member States 

In the EU 27, in 2023, about 28.8 % of persons with disabilities aged 16 and over faced a 
risk  of  poverty  or  social  exclusion.  This  rate  was  28.7 %  in  2022.  This  represents  an 
increase of 0.1 percentage points. 

The figure on the following page indicates an improvement in the situation of persons with 
disabilities between 2022 and 2023, in 15 Member States (decrease in the risk of poverty 
or social exclusion). 

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Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 92: Evolution of the share of persons with disabilities at risk of poverty 
or social exclusion, aged 16+ 

Note: Data for Bulgaria ought to be treated with caution due to sampling issues. 
Data source: Eurostat. The data in the figures are rounded to the nearest unit. This explains why the 
difference in pp. does not correspond to the difference in the first figure. 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe010/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 28 March 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

11.5.9  Number of persons at risk of poverty or social exclusion 

In the following table, we present the number of persons  in the EU at risk of poverty or 
social exclusion aged 16 and over in 2023. 

Note  that  about  28.6  million  persons  with  disabilities  and  49.0  million  persons  without 
disabilities  are  at  risk  of  poverty  or  social  exclusion.  Persons  with  disabilities  represent 
36.9 % of all persons in the EU at risk of poverty or social exclusion aged 16 and over in 
2023. 

A further disaggregation indicates that persons with moderate disabilities account for 19.1 
million persons, and persons with severe disabilities number 9.5 million persons. 

The above indicates that persons with disabilities ought to be a priority target group in the 
fight  against  poverty  and  social  exclusion.  Proposed  policy  measures  ought  to  consider 
their specific characteristics and needs. This will ensure that the proposed measures will 
be effective in reducing poverty or social exclusion. 

182 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 96: Number of persons at risk of poverty or social exclusion by disability 
status, age 16+, 2023 

Not at risk of 
poverty or social 
exclusion 

Millions (1 000 000) 

At risk of poverty 
or social exclusion 

Persons without disabilities 

Persons with disabilities 

Total 

223.5 

70.8 

294.3 

% (by AROPE for each disability status) 

Persons without disabilities 

Persons with disabilities 

Total 

82.0 

71.2 

79.1 

49.0 

28.6 

77.7 

18.0 

28.8 

20.9 

Persons without disabilities 

% (by disability status for persons in AROPE or not) 
63.1 

76.0 

Total 

272.5 

99.4 

372.0 

100.0 

100.0 

100.0 

73.3 

26.7 

Persons with disabilities 

Total 

24.0 

100.0 

36.9 

100.0 

100.0 

Note: Missing values do not enable us to compare different years. Data are rounded and the totals 
may be different from the sum of two numbers. 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

11.5.10 

Analysis of risk of poverty or social exclusion by type of component 

As  noted,  the  at  risk  of  poverty  or  social  exclusion  indicator,  abbreviated  as  AROPE, 
corresponds to the sum of persons who are either at risk of poverty (AROP), or severely 
materially and socially deprived, or living in a household with a very low work intensity.  

In  the  following  figure,  we  present  the  distribution  of  persons  with  disabilities  at  risk  of 
poverty or social exclusion by type of component. About 28.8 % are at risk of poverty or 
social exclusion. The previous table indicates that this corresponds to  about 28.6 million 
persons. 

The largest group, approximately 12 %, consists of individuals who face a risk of monetary 
poverty  only.  Another  group,  3 %,  faces  a  risk  of  financial  poverty  and  very  low  work 
intensity. About 3 % faces a risk of financial poverty and severe material deprivation. About 
2 % faces a risk of financial poverty  and severe material deprivation  and very low work 
intensity.  Globally,  21 %  of  persons  with  disabilities  aged  16  and  over  face  a  risk  of 
monetary poverty.78 

About  9 %  of  persons  with  disabilities  aged  16  and  over  face  a  risk  of  very  low  work 
intensity,  whether  alone  (3 %)  or  cumulated  with  a  risk  of  monetary  poverty  (3 %)  or 
severe material deprivation (1 %), or both (2 %). However, this figure may underestimate 
the problem of work. As noted above, low work intensity enters the computation of AROPE 
only  for  persons  aged  under  65.  To  avoid  this  caveat,  we  focus  below  on  persons  with 
disabilities aged 16 to 64. 

78   The numbers are rounded to the nearest unit and this explains that the total is not exactly the sum of the 

different components. In the present case, the correct total is 20.5 %. 

183 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 93: Persons with disabilities at risk of poverty or social exclusion, aged 
16+. EU 27 2023 
The AROPE rate is the share of the total population 16+ that is at risk of poverty or social exclusion 

AROPE: sum of persons who are either at risk of financial poverty (AROP), or severely materially and 
socially deprived (SMD), or living in a household with a very low work intensity (LWI). 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

In the following figure, we present the distribution of persons with disabilities aged 16 – 64 
at risk of poverty or social exclusion by AROPE component. About 34 % (33.6 %) are at 
risk of poverty or social exclusion.  

Once  again,  the  largest  group,  about  9 %,  consists  of  individuals  who  face  a  risk  of 
monetary poverty  only.  Another group, 6 %,  faces a  risk of  monetary poverty  and very 
low  work  intensity.  About  3 %  faces  a  risk  of  monetary  poverty  and  severe  material 
deprivation. About 4 % faces a risk of monetary poverty and severe material deprivation 
and very low work intensity. Globally, 22 % of persons with disabilities aged 16 and over 
face a risk of monetary poverty. 

About  17 %  of  persons  with  disabilities  aged  16  and  over  face  a  risk  of  very  low  work 
intensity,  whether  alone  (5 %)  or  cumulated  with  a  risk  of  monetary  poverty  (6 %)  or 
severe material deprivation (2 %), or both (4 %).  

As expected, the risk of low work intensity plays a key role in the total risk of poverty or 
social  exclusion  of  persons  with  disabilities  aged  16  to  64,  an  age  bracket  that  covers 
economic activity. 

184 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 94: Persons with disabilities at risk of poverty or social exclusion, aged 
16 – 64. EU 27 2023 
The AROPE rate is the share of the population 16–64 that is at risk of poverty or social exclusion 

AROPE: sum of persons who are either at risk of financial poverty (AROP), or severely materially and 
socially deprived (SMD), or living in a household with a very low work intensity (LWI). 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

In the following figure, we present the distribution of persons with disabilities aged 65 and 
over at risk of poverty or social exclusion by AROPE component. About 24 % (23.7 %) are 
at risk of poverty or social exclusion. 

The largest group, approximately 16 %, consists of individuals who face a risk of monetary 
poverty  only.  Another  3 %  faces  a  risk  of  monetary  poverty  and  severe  material  social 
deprivation. 

The risk of very low work intensity does not apply to individuals aged 65 and over, as this 
component of poverty is only assigned to those under the age of 65.  In the 65 and over 
age group, pension level might be a crucial tool for poverty reduction. For persons aged 
16 to 64, work and social protection are the main instruments. 

185 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 95: Persons with disabilities at risk of poverty or social exclusion, aged 
65+. EU 27 2023 
The AROPE rate is the share of the population 65+ that is at risk of poverty or social exclusion 

AROPE: sum of persons who are either at risk of financial poverty (AROP), or severely materially and 
socially deprived (SMD), or living in a household with a very low work intensity (LWI). 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

The inclusion of the risk of very low work intensity as a component of poverty for persons 
aged 16–64 will tend to provide a higher rate of poverty for this age group compared to 
persons aged 65 and over. However, even if we consider the 5 % of persons aged 16–64 
who face (only) a risk of very low work intensity, this does not completely eradicate the 
fact  that  the  poverty  rate  (AROPE)  is  higher  among  persons  aged  16–64  compared  to 
persons aged 65 and over. 

11.6 Analysis of trends of AROPE at the EU level 

11.6.1 Evolution at the EU level 

In the following graph,  we present the  evolution of the percentage  of  persons at  risk of 
poverty or social exclusion, by disability status. 

The  extensive  policy  interventions  during  2020  to  maintain  jobs  have  mitigated  the 
negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The change was relatively small at EU level. 

Between 2021 and 2022, we note a small reduction in poverty and social exclusion both 
for persons with disabilities and for persons without disabilities. 

Data for 2023 show a slight deterioration in the situation for persons with disabilities, with 
a  0.1  percentage  point  increase  in  poverty  or  social  exclusion  compared  to  2022. 
Meanwhile, persons without disabilities saw a modest improvement, with a 0.3 percentage 
point reduction during the same period. This resulted in a small widening of the disability 
gap in poverty or social exclusion. 

The new definition of this indicator (based on the Europe 2030 Strategy) provides a slightly 
higher risk of poverty or social exclusion for persons with disabilities in comparison to the 
Europe 2020 definition. 

186 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 96: Evolution of the percentage of persons at risk of poverty or social 
exclusion, aged 16+, EU 
2020:  Definitions  based  on  Europe  2020  Strategy.  2030:  Definitions  based  on  Europe  2030 
Strategy. 

Note: Relative gap = 100*(% persons with disabilities – % persons without disabilities) / (% persons 
without disabilities).  
EU 28 before 2010. EU 27 from 2010 onwards.  
Dotted line in gap figure: fitted relative gap using a 3-year moving average. 
Data source: EU-SILC UDB and Eurostat. Data extracted from [ESTAT]. 

11.6.2 Evolution at EU level by poverty component 

As  noted,  the  headline  indicator  ‘People  at  risk  of  poverty  or  social  exclusion’  (AROPE) 
combines three sub-indicators: the risk of poverty after social transfers, SMSD, and people 
living in households with very LWI. If a person has several disadvantages, he is counted 
only once.  

The following figure presents the evolution of the headline indicator AROPE and its three 
constituents. 

We  can  observe  a  continuous  decline  in  the  rate  of  persons  at  risk  of  severe  material 
deprivation,  but  this  was  reversed  in  2023.  Before  this  date,  the  decline  was  slow  but 
steady. 

The monetary poverty (AROP) indicator and the LWI indicator are more volatile and depend 
on labour market fluctuations. Indeed, the percentage of persons at LWI decreases as the 
labour market improves. This explains the downward movement between 2016 and 2020 
and the decrease after the COVID-19 pandemic.  

One might expect the percentage of persons with disabilities at risk of (monetary) poverty 
to decrease as the labour market improves. The following figures indicate that this does 
not always hold true. Between the good years of 2017 to 2019, we observe an increase in 
this  indicator.  This  countercyclical  movement  could  be  explained  by  various  factors.  We 
could argue here that an improvement in the labour market might benefit persons without 

187 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

disabilities  at  a  first  stage,  and  that  this  improvement  might  have  a  small  impact  on 
persons  with  disabilities,  since  they  have  a  low  activity  rate.  Furthermore,  wages  may 
increase  relative  to  disability  pensions,  increasing  the  percentage  of  persons  at  risk  of 
(monetary) poverty. 

Figure 97: Evolution of the risk of poverty or social exclusion (and its 
components) of persons with disabilities, aged 16+, EU 

AROPE:  poverty  or  social  exclusion;  AROP:  (financial)  poverty;  VL  Work  intensity:  very  low  work 
intensity; Sev Mat & Soc Depr: Severe material and social deprivation. 
Data source: Eurostat, 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe010/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 9 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

11.6.3 Evolution at the EU level by age group 

As noted above, persons aged 16–64 and persons aged 65 and over do not share the same 
characteristics. The following figures indicate that the two groups have followed different 
paths. 

Since 2015, the situation of persons aged 16–64 has benefited from a favourable evolution 
in the labour market. This resulted in a downward movement of poverty or social exclusion 
in the same age figure. However, this trend was reversed in 2020, following the COVID-19 
pandemic,  but  subsequently  improved.  The  situation  has  since  stabilised  between  2022 
and 2023. 

In  recent  years,  older  people  experienced  a  deterioration  in  their  situation  that  was 
subsequently reversed during the COVID-19 pandemic. As noted in previous reports, the 
economic cycle does not affect  older persons through wages and employment; rather, it 
affects this age group through pension schemes. It is apparent that stable (or at least not 
decreasing) pensions improve the situation of older people relative to economically active 
people during a recession. The relative situation of older people is reversed during growth 
periods. If wages rise more rapidly than pensions during growth periods, then the situation 
of pensioners declines relative to wage earners. 

188 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 98: Evolution of the percentage of persons living in households at risk of 
poverty or social exclusion by age group, EU 
From 2015 onwards the indicators are based on Europe 2030 definitions. Before 2015, they refer to 
Europe 2020. 

Data source: Eurostat, 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe010/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 9 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

11.6.4 Evolution at the EU level by degree of disability 

As indicated above, persons with severe disabilities face a greater risk than persons with 
moderate or no disabilities. 

In the EU 27 in 2023, about 35.6 % of persons with severe disabilities face a risk of poverty 
or social exclusion.  

In the  following figure,  we may note a downward trend concerning persons with  severe 
disabilities  at  risk  of  SMSD.  On  the  contrary,  (monetary)  poverty  and  very  LWI  are 
fluctuating around a constant rate.  

189 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 99: Evolution of the risk of poverty or social exclusion (and its 
components) of persons with severe disabilities, aged 16+, EU 

Note:  The discontinuity  in  2021  might  be  the  result  of  a  change  in  the  collection  methodology  in 
Germany. Given the important weighting of Germany in the EU aggregate, this has affected the EU 
level.79 
AROPE:  poverty  or  social  exclusion;  AROP:  (financial)  poverty;  VL  Work  intensity:  very  low  work 
intensity (persons aged less than 65); Sev Mat & Soc Depr: Severe material and social deprivation; 
Unempl sev: unemployment rate of persons with severe disabilities. 
Data source: Eurostat, 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dm010__custom_16215123/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 10 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

It is interesting to compare the evolutions of persons with severe disabilities with those of 
persons  without  disabilities.  In  the  following  figures,  we  present  the  absolute  and  the 
relative  differences  between  persons  with  severe  disabilities  and  persons  without 
disabilities for the risk of poverty and social exclusion (and the three components). 

We  observe  a  relative  deterioration  in  the  situation  of  persons  with  severe  disabilities 
compared to persons without disabilities over time. The synthetic indicator AROPE shows 
a slow upward trend.  

We  may  note  the  importance  of  very  LWI  and  its  deterioration  over  time  compared  to 
persons without disabilities. However, when we analyse all persons aged 16 and over, the 
impact of very LWI might be undervalued, since it does not enter the computation of AROPE 
for  persons  aged  65  and  over.  It  is  important  to  note  that  very  LWI  is  a  proxy  for 
unemployment at household level and reveals the importance of work in reducing poverty. 

79   For an in-depth analysis see: Eurostat, 2023, Note on the indicator ‘Persons at risk of poverty or social 

exclusion – EU2030 target’ (ILC_PECS01) containing adjusted estimates of ‘Persons at risk of poverty or 
social exclusion by age and sex’ ILC_PEPS01N and its components for Germany and the EU relative to 2019, 
Directorate F – Social statistics, F.4 – Income and living conditions; Quality of life, Luxembourg 2023. 
Contact person: Emilio.DI-MEGLIO@ec.europa.eu.  

190 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 100: Evolution of the gap in poverty or social exclusion (and its 
components) of persons with severe disabilities relative to persons without 
disabilities, aged 16+, EU 
Absolute differences = % persons with severe disabilities – % persons without disabilities 
Relative differences  = 100*(% persons with  severe  disabilities  – % persons without  disabilities) / 
(% persons without disabilities). 

Note: The dotted line crossing very low work intensity is an estimated linear trend. 
AROPE:  poverty  or  social  exclusion;  AROP:  (financial)  poverty;  VL  Work  intensity:  very  low  work 
intensity (persons aged less than 65); Sev Mat & Soc Depr: Severe material and social deprivation. 
Data source: Eurostat, 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dm010__custom_16215123/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 10 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

As indicated above, persons with severe disabilities who are economically active (aged 16–
64) are dependent on work. In the EU 27 in 2023, about 47.0 % of persons with severe 
disabilities aged 16–64 faced a risk of poverty or social exclusion.  

The evolution of risk of monetary poverty and very LWI are closely correlated, as are LWI 
and severe material deprivation. This reveals the importance of work for poverty reduction 
in this age group.  

191 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 101: Evolution of the risk of poverty or social exclusion (and its 
components) of persons with severe disabilities, aged 16-64, EU 

Annual change: Rate = 100 * (Rate in t – Rate in t-1) / (Rate in t-1) 
AROPE:  poverty  or  social  exclusion;  AROP:  (financial)  poverty;  VL  Work  intensity:  very  low  work 
intensity (persons aged less than 65); Sev Mat & Soc Depr: Severe material and social deprivation; 
Unempl sev: unemployment rate of persons with severe disabilities. 
Data source: Eurostat, 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dm010__custom_16215123/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 10 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

11.7 Statistical tables 

Table 97: Percentage of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion by 
disability status, gender and Member State, aged 16+ 
Definition adopted by Europe 2030 Strategy. 

2022 

2023 

2023 

Disability 

Disability 

Gap 
in 
pp. 

Persons with 
disabilities 

Degree of 
disability 

Yes  No  Total  Yes  No  Total 

  Women  Men  Severe  Moderate 

AT  22.7  14.4  16.8  22.1  14.4  16.7 

7.7 

BE  33.8  13.5  18.7  32.1  13.8  18.5 

18.3 

BG  49.9  30.0  32.9  42.4  28.1  30.0 

14.3 

CY  28.0  13.6  16.4  29.7  13.2  16.7 

16.5 

CZ  21.1 

8.0 

11.5  19.4 

8.5 

11.4 

10.9 

DE  28.3  15.7  19.6  29.8  17.3  20.8 

12.5 

DK  24.7  13.9  17.8  26.3  14.0  18.5 

12.3 

EE  47.8  19.8  28.4  41.0  18.9  26.1 

22.1 

EL 

29.1  25.1  26.0  30.6  24.2  25.7 

ES  30.0  22.7  24.9  31.0  22.7  25.1 

FI 

22.2  13.8  16.6  22.2  13.2  16.4 

6.4 

8.3 

9.0 

FR  27.9  16.6  19.5  27.0  16.0  19.0 

11.0 

HR  35.3  13.8  20.4  37.5  14.9  21.5 

22.6 

HU  30.0  14.6  18.1  32.4  14.6  18.5 

17.8 

IE 

IT 

37.2  14.2  18.9  32.7  13.6  17.5 

19.1 

26.9  22.9  23.8  26.7  21.3  22.4 

5.4 

LT 

44.3  18.7  25.9  42.7  19.6  25.9 

23.1 

23.8 

29.9 

44.1 

32.4 

22.8 

30.3 

27.9 

45.2 

33.7 

32.0 

23.0 

28.2 

40.6 

33.4 

32.8 

27.5 

46.3 

20.2 

28.7 

34.9 

40.4 

39.8 

41.8 

26.8 

37.1 

15.0 

26.5 

29.3 

39.5 

24.5 

42.6 

35.1 

52.9 

26.8 

34.1 

29.7 

38.6 

21.2 

29.0 

25.5 

31.1 

33.5 

49.4 

30.8 

43.3 

32.5 

39.3 

25.6 

30.2 

37.5 

50.7 

19.4 

27.8 

42.5 

25.4 

16.8 

25.5 

22.8 

34.4 

28.3 

29.4 

20.4 

24.5 

33.1 

28.3 

30.4 

25.5 

40.3 

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Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

2022 

2023 

2023 

Disability 

Disability 

Gap 
in 
pp. 

Persons with 
disabilities 

Degree of 
disability 

Yes  No  Total  Yes  No  Total 

  Women  Men  Severe  Moderate 

LU  23.1  16.2  18.2  27.2  18.9  19.9 

8.3 

LV  41.8  19.0  27.7  38.5  19.1  27.0 

19.4 

MT  36.0  16.6  19.5  33.3  16.6  18.9 

16.7 

NL  25.9  12.2  16.6  22.0  11.8  15.1 

10.2 

PL  24.6  14.6  17.0  25.5  14.7  17.4 

10.8 

PT  26.4  16.7  20.0  26.7  16.0  19.6 

10.7 

RO  42.9  29.1  33.1  39.4  26.7  30.6 

12.7 

SE  30.6  15.2  18.6  29.0  15.1  18.2 

13.9 

SI 

22.3  11.7  13.9  24.3  11.7  14.4 

12.6 

SK  18.8  13.4  15.0  18.6  14.8  16.0 

3.8 

30.9 

41.0 

33.5 

20.8 

26.4 

27.5 

41.6 

30.5 

26.0 

18.6 

22.6 

32.5 

34.4 

50.7 

33.0 

32.7 

23.6 

38.1 

24.3 

30.3 

25.5 

33.0 

36.0 

48.8 

27.1 

39.7 

22.5 

32.0 

18.7 

23.6 

25.5 

34.4 

33.5 

19.2 

23.6 

24.8 

37.8 

26.0 

20.8 

16.7 

EU  28.7  18.3  21.1  28.8  18.0  20.9  10.8 

29.7 

27.5 

35.6 

26.3 

Note: The updated data of previous years might present marginal differences from those published 
in past reports. 
Data source: Eurostat, 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dm010__custom_16215123/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 10 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

Table 98: Percentage of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion by 
disability status, gender and Member State, aged 16+ 
Definition adopted by Europe 2030 Strategy. 

2021 

2022 

2022 

Disability 

Disability 

Yes  No 

Total  Yes  No  Total 

Gap 
in 
pp. 

Persons with 
disabilities 

Degree of 
disability 

Women  Men  Severe  Moderate 

AT 

BE 

21.4  14.0 

16.0  22.7  14.4  16.8 

8.3 

33.3  13.6 

18.4  33.8  13.5  18.7  20.3 

BG  45.3  29.8 

32.5  49.9  30.0  32.9  19.9 

CY 

CZ 

29.1  13.9 

16.8  28.0  13.6  16.4  14.4 

18.2 

7.6 

10.2  21.1 

8.0 

11.5  13.1 

DE 

31.0  17.6 

20.8  28.3  15.7  19.6  12.6 

DK  24.0  14.4 

17.8  24.7  13.9  17.8  10.8 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

37.1  17.2 

23.9  47.8  19.8  28.4  28.0 

28.3  27.4 

27.6  29.1  25.1 

26. 

33.0  24.5 

26.9  30.0  22.7  24.9 

18.5  12.7 

14.3  22.2  13.8  16.6 

4.0 

7.3 

8.4 

FR 

28.1  15.8 

18.6  27.9  16.6  19.5  11.3 

HR  34.1  15.5 

21.5  35.3  13.8  20.4  21.5 

HU  31.4  14.9 

18.4  30.0  14.6  18.1  15.4 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

39.3  14.6 

19.4  39.5  14.9  20.1  24.6 

27.1  24.3 

24.9  26.9  22.9  23.8 

4.0 

38.9  17.8 

24.4  44.3  18.7  25.9  25.6 

24.7  17.3 

19.2  23.1  16.2  18.2 

6.9 

41.2  19.6 

27.6  41.8  19.0  27.7  22.8 

MT  33.4  17.0 

19.7  36.0  16.6  19.5  19.4 

23.8 

32.5 

55.1 

29.0 

24.7 

28.7 

25.3 

52.4 

30.8 

31.3 

24.5 

29.3 

38.6 

30.6 

40.0 

27.6 

47.8 

26.4 

46.0 

38.4 

21.4 

32.6 

35.6 

43.9 

42.4 

54.1 

26.9 

34.4 

16.6 

28.9 

27.8 

37.7 

24.0 

35.5 

41.3 

58.0 

26.9 

35.1 

28.3 

38.1 

19.1 

30.4 

26.2 

32.6 

31.2 

45.8 

29.2 

40.5 

38.9 

51.4 

26.0 

32.5 

39.2 

52.9 

19.5 

30.2 

34.9 

56.8 

32.8 

34.3 

18.9 

28.8 

48.9 

24.1 

18.1 

23.8 

22.2 

42.7 

25.0 

28.1 

19.6 

25.0 

31.4 

25.8 

35.2 

25.1 

42.0 

21.3 

36.9 

36.6 

193 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

2021 

2022 

2022 

Disability 

Disability 

Yes  No 

Total  Yes  No  Total 

Gap 
in 
pp. 

Persons with 
disabilities 

Degree of 
disability 

Women  Men  Severe  Moderate 

NL 

26.5  12.3 

16.5  25.9  12.2  16.6  13.7 

PL 

PT 

26.9  14.8 

17.6  24.6  14.6 

29.7  18.5 

22.4  26.4  16.7 

17. 

20. 

10.0 

9.7 

RO  44.1  28.4 

33.1  42.9  29.1  33.1  13.8 

SE 

SI 

25.4  14.7 

16.7  30.6  15.2  18.6  15.4 

24.2  11.0 

13.8  22.3  11.7  13.9  10.6 

SK 

19.5  12.6 

14.7  18.8  13.4 

15. 

5.4 

25.0 

25.0 

27.3 

43.5 

31.6 

23.2 

19.6 

27.0 

39.8 

24.0 

30.7 

25.2 

31.4 

41.9 

53.7 

29.4 

39.9 

21.4 

28.1 

17.6 

23.2 

23.3 

22.3 

24.9 

40.7 

27.8 

19.5 

17.0 

EU  29.7  18.8  21.5  28.8  18.3  21.1  10.5 

29.8 

27.4 

35.9 

26.2 

Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe010/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 18 April 2024 from [ESTAT]. 

Table 99: Percentage of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion by 
disability status, age group, and Member State 
Definition adopted by Europe 2030 Strategy. 

2022 

2023 

Age: 16-64 

Age: 65+ 

Age: 16-64 

Age: 65+ 

Disability 

Disability 

Disability 

Disability 

Yes  No  Total  Yes  No  Total  Yes 

No 

Total  Yes 

No 

Total 

AT  25.7  14.6  17.2  17.5  13.4  15.5 

23.9 

14.1 

16.5 

19.1 

16.0 

17.6 

BE  40.0  12.8  18.2  24.6  16.6  20.1 

39.0 

13.3 

18.6 

21.2 

16.1 

18.2 

BG  41.8  27.1  28.2  55.1  41.8  46.4 

45.3 

26.6 

27.8 

40.8 

33.3 

35.7 

CY  28.7  13.6  15.3  27.5  14.3  21.3 

29.2 

12.5 

14.7 

30.3 

18.2 

24.8 

CZ  22.7 

7.2 

9.8 

19.7  12.5  16.6 

21.4 

7.8 

10.1 

17.6 

12.1 

15.2 

DE  34.4  15.9  19.9  21.4  14.8  18.5 

35.0 

17.5 

20.9 

24.3 

16.2 

20.6 

DK  28.6  14.4  19.1  16.3 

12. 

14.0 

32.4 

15.0 

20.7 

13.9 

10.3 

12.0 

EE  34.6  15.3  19.3  61.8  44.1  54.3 

30.7 

15.0 

18.7 

52.8 

40.4 

47.7 

EL 

42.2  26.2  27.8  22.7  18.7  21.0 

39.9 

24.9 

26.4 

26.4 

20.1 

23.8 

ES  33.7  23.6  26.0  24.4 

18. 

21.4 

35.9 

23.5 

26.4 

23.7 

18.2 

21.0 

FI 

24.1  14.5  17.0  19.6  10.9  15.5 

26.1 

13.7 

17.2 

16.6 

11.7 

14.2 

FR  36.1  17.7  21.0  19.2  12.3  15.4 

33.6 

17.4 

20.6 

19.2 

10.8 

14.6 

HR  30.8  12.5  15.7  38.5  23.4  33.6 

33.0 

13.1 

16.3 

40.5 

27.3 

35.9 

HU  39.1  14.8  18.1  22.6  13.0  18.2 

39.8 

14.5 

17.7 

26.7 

14.9 

21.2 

IE 

IT 

43.0  14.0  18.8  33.4  20.3  25.7 

37.0 

13.5 

17.2 

25.3 

14.3 

18.7 

33.3  24.1  25.2  22.8  17.3  20.0 

35.4 

22.2 

23.6 

21.7 

17.5 

19.5 

LT 

41.5  16.0  20.5  46.9  35.6  42.3 

40.1 

17.5 

21.3 

44.9 

32.4 

39.8 

LU  26.6  17.1  19.5  13.4 

9.1 

11.2 

33.0 

20.4 

21.6 

15.1 

10.0 

11.2 

LV  35.6  17.3  22.1  48.1  32.5  44.0 

31.4 

17.2 

21.4 

46.4 

32.2 

42.5 

MT  34.1  13.9  15.7  37.5  30.8  33.3 

32.3 

14.3 

15.7 

34.1 

30.1 

31.5 

NL  29.8  11.4  16.2  19.5  15.9  17.8 

26.8 

11.8 

15.7 

14.3 

12.1 

13.3 

PL  28.4  14.6  16.8  20.8  14.8  17.9 

28.8 

14.4 

16.6 

22.7 

16.4 

19.5 

PT  28.7  17.1  19.8 

24. 

15.2  20.5 

29.6 

16.3 

19.4 

23.8 

14.7 

20.1 

RO  46.3  29.3  31.8  40.6  26.9  37.2 

44.5 

27.3 

30.0 

36.2 

21.1 

32.3 

194 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

2022 

2023 

Age: 16-64 

Age: 65+ 

Age: 16-64 

Age: 65+ 

Disability 

Disability 

Disability 

Disability 

Yes  No  Total  Yes  No  Total  Yes 

No 

Total  Yes 

No 

Total 

SE  35.9  15.4  19.2  21.2  14.5  16.6 

32.7 

15.9 

19.1 

22.4 

12.2 

15.5 

SI 

19.9  10.8  12.2  25.4  15.8  19.6 

22.1 

10.8 

12.6 

27.2 

15.7 

20.3 

SK  23.4  13.9  15.9  13.2 

9.0 

11.9 

21.0 

15.3 

16.5 

16.0 

9.9 

14.0 

EU  33.4  18.7  21.5  23.9  16.3  20.2  33.6  18.4  21.2  23.7  16.0  19.9 

Data source: Eurostat, 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dm010__custom_16215123/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 10 April 2025 from [ESTAT].  

Table 100: Percentage of persons at risk of poverty or social exclusion by 
disability status, gender and Member State, aged 16+ 
Definition adopted by Europe 2030 Strategy. 

2020 

2021 

2021 

Disability 

Disability 

Yes  No 

Total  Yes  No  Total 

Gap 
in 
pp. 

Persons with 
disabilities 

Degree of 
disability 

Women  Men  Severe  Moderate 

AT 

BE 

20.6  13.2  15.5  21.4  14.0  16.0 

7.4 

35.5  14.8  20.0  33.3  13.6  18.4  19.7 

BG 

52.7  30.6  34.2  45.3  29.8  32.5  15.5 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

28.5  13.9  17.2  29.1  13.9  16.8  15.2 

23.8 

8.9 

13.3  18.2 

7.6 

10.2  10.6 

29.7  17.1  20.2  31.0  17.6  20.8  13.4 

DK 

23.7  14.3  17.4  24.0  14.4  17.8 

9.6 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

39.9  16.6  24.2  37.1  17.2  23.9  19.9 

29.0  26.2  26.8  28.3  27.4  27.6 

35.4  23.3  26.1  33.0  24.5  26.9 

19.7  12.4  15.0  18.5  12.7  14.3 

0.9 

8.5 

5.8 

26.0  15.6  18.2  28.1  15.7  18.6  12.4 

HR  34.4  14.5  21.0  34.1  15.5  21.5  18.6 

HU  30.2  14.9  18.4  31.4  14.9  18.4  16.5 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

35.0  15.1  19.1  39.3  14.6  19.4  24.7 

27.9  23.4  24.4  27.1  24.3  24.9 

2.8 

39.0  18.3  25.1  38.9  17.8  24.4  21.1 

25.4  16.9  19.0  24.7  17.3  19.2 

7.4 

39.0  18.3  26.5  41.2  19.6  27.6  21.6 

MT  31.0  17.5  19.4  33.4  17.0  19.7  16.4 

NL 

PL 

PT 

24.5  11.7  15.4  26.5  12.3  16.5  14.2 

27.1  15.3  18.2  26.9  14.8  17.6  12.1 

27.3  16.2  19.8  29.7  18.5  22.4  11.2 

RO  45.2  30.9  34.6  44.1  28.5  33.1  15.6 

SE 

SI 

SK 

28.6  15.6  17.3  25.4  14.7  16.7  10.7 

26.8  11.6  15.0  24.2  11.0  13.8  13.2 

18.7  10.1  12.8  19.5  12.6  14.7 

6.9 

22.7 

32.5 

49.0 

30.1 

20.6 

31.4 

24.4 

41.9 

29.4 

33.9 

19.3 

28.9 

36.4 

31.0 

41.0 

27.4 

43.1 

25.0 

45.0 

34.4 

25.5 

28.1 

30.4 

45.8 

25.1 

24.5 

20.7 

19.9 

34.3 

39.8 

28.1 

15.2 

30.5 

23.6 

30.5 

26.9 

31.8 

17.5 

27.1 

31.3 

31.9 

37.4 

26.7 

32.6 

24.4 

35.2 

32.2 

27.6 

25.3 

28.6 

41.8 

25.8 

23.8 

17.9 

28.6 

43.8 

49.4 

34.2 

24.6 

31.0 

34.5 

50.2 

32.2 

41.3 

24.5 

35.3 

47.2 

40.1 

52.1 

31.6 

48.4 

34.0 

51.1 

39.4 

40.1 

31.5 

36.0 

54.3 

38.2 

31.6 

26.5 

18.4 

27.9 

44.3 

26.0 

15.5 

: 

21.4 

30.5 

25.7 

31.1 

16.4 

24.0 

29.0 

28.2 

34.5 

25.3 

36.7 

21.8 

38.5 

31.6 

24.1 

25.0 

27.3 

41.7 

21.7 

20.9 

16.4 

EU  29.6  18.8  21.5  29.7  18.8  21.5  10.9 

30.6 

28.5 

36.2 

27.0 

Data source: Eurostat, https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/data/database?node_code=hlth.  
Data extracted on 7 April 2023 from [ESTAT]. 

195 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 101: Percentage of persons living in households at risk of poverty or 
social exclusion, aged 16+, EU 

Persons with 
disabilities 

Persons without 
disabilities 
Europe 2020 Strategy 

Persons with 
disabilities 

Persons without 
disabilities 

2005 

2006 

EU 28 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

2014 

2015 

2016 

2017 

2018 

2019 

2020 

2015 

2016 

2017 

2018 

2019 

2020 

2021 

2022 

2023 

EU 27 

32.1 

32.3 

31.9 

30.9 

29.7 

29.2 

30.2 

29.9 

29.7 

29.8 

29.8 

29.8 

28.9 

28.6 

28.4 

28.7 

23.0 

22.3 

21.7 

20.5 

20.1 

21.1 

21.5 

22.1 

21.8 

21.7 

21.2 

21.4 

20.3 

19.1 

18.4 

18.8 

Europe 2030 Strategy 

30.4 

30.1 

29.1 

29.3 

29.3 

29.6 

29.7 

28.7 

28.8 

21.1 

21.1 

20.0 

19.1 

18.3 

18.8 

18.8 

18.3 

18.0 

Data source: EU-SILC UDB and Eurostat. Data extracted from [ESTAT]. 

Table 102: Percentage of persons living in households at risk of poverty or 
social exclusion by age group, EU 

Age: 16-64 

Age: 65+ 

Persons with 
disabilities 

Persons without 
disabilities  

Persons with 
disabilities  

Persons without 
disabilities 

Europe 2020 Strategy 

2005 

2006 

EU 28 

2007 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

EU 27 

2012 

2013 

2014 

35.9 

36.4 

35.8 

34.9 

34.5 

34.6 

36.4 

36.2 

36.4 

37.4 

22.9 

22.3 

21.6 

20.5 

20.2 

21.8 

22.3 

23.0 

23.0 

23.0 

196 

26.8 

26.8 

26.7 

25.9 

23.7 

22.4 

22.7 

22.3 

21.1 

20.4 

24.1 

22.7 

22.1 

20.2 

19.1 

16.1 

15.8 

15.5 

14.1 

13.6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Age: 16-64 

Age: 65+ 

Persons with 
disabilities 
37.7 

Persons without 
disabilities  
22.4 

Persons with 
disabilities  
20.3 

Persons without 
disabilities 
13.9 

36.9 

35.1 

34.6 

34.4 

34.1 

37.9 

36.8 

35.0 

34.7 

34.3 

34.6 

35.1 

33.4 

22.6 

21.3 

19.9 

18.7 

19.5 

Europe 2030 Strategy 

22.2 

22.2 

20.9 

19.8 

18.8 

19.4 

19.6 

18.7 

21.3 

21.6 

21.7 

22.7 

22.8 

21.2 

22.1 

22.1 

23.1 

23.8 

24.3 

23.9 

23.8 

23.7 

15.0 

15.1 

15.0 

15.6 

15.6 

14.6 

15.1 

15.1 

15.5 

15.7 

16.2 

15.3 

16.2 

16.0 

2015 

2016 

2017 

2018 

2019 

2020 

2015 

2016 

2017 

2018 

2019 

2020 

2021 

2022 

33.6 
Data source: EU-SILC UDB and Eurostat. Data extracted from [ESTAT]. 

2023 

18.4 

Table 103: Percentage of persons with disabilities living in households at risk of 
poverty or social exclusion by component, aged 16+, EU 
A person declaring several disadvantages is counted only once in AROPE. 

2011 

2012 

2013 

2014 

2015 

2016 

2017 

2018 

2019 

2020 

2021 

2022 

2023 

AROPE 

30.2 

29.9 

29.7 

29.8 

30.4 

30.1 

29.1 

29.3 

29.3 

29.6 

29.7 

28.7 

28.8 

AROP 
(Monetary) 
19.1 

Very Low 
Work intensity 
23.9 

Material deprivation 
& social exclusion 
12.4 

18.8 

18.7 

19.4 

19.9 

20.2 

20.1 

20.9 

21.1 

21.0 

21.1 

20.5 

20.1 

22.8 

23.0 

24.3 

19.2 

19.3 

18.4 

18.1 

18.2 

17.8 

18.6 

17.1 

16.7 

12.9 

12.6 

12.2 

14.0 

13.2 

12.4 

11.8 

11.5 

11.3 

10.9 

10.4 

11.0 

Note: data in bold refer to  Europe 2020 definitions. Europe 2030 did not  change  the definition of 
AROP.  
Abbreviations: AROPE: at risk of poverty or social exclusion; AROP: at risk of monetary poverty.  
Data source: EU-SILC UDB and Eurostat. Data extracted from [ESTAT]. 

197 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 104: Percentage of persons living in households at risk of poverty or 
social exclusion by degree and component, aged 16+, EU 
A person declaring several disadvantages is counted only once in AROPE. 
Gap (Absolute difference) = % persons with severe disabilities – % persons without disabilities. 
Relative  gap  (relative  difference)  =  100*(% persons  with  severe  disabilities  –  % persons  without 
disabilities) / (% persons without disabilities). 

   2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  2020  2021  2022  2023 

AROPE (poverty or social exclusion) 

Severe  35.8 

35.7 

35.0 

35.7 

35.9 

35.1 

34.7 

35.8 

35.6 

With disabilities  30.4 

30.1 

29.1 

29.3 

29.3 

29.6 

29.7 

28.7 

28.8 

None  21.1 

21.1 

20.0 

19.1 

18.3 

18.8 

18.8 

18.3 

18.0 

Gap in pp.  14.7 
Relative gap %  69.7 

14.6 

15.0 

16.6 

17.6 

16.3 

15.9 

69.2 

75.0 

86.9 

96.2 

86.7 

84.6 

17.5 

17.6 

95.6 

97.8 

23.5 

23.3 

20.5 

20.1 

14.5 

14.1 

9.0 

9.2 

62.1 

65.2 

31.6 

29.4 

17.1 

16.7 

5.7 

5.7 

14.2 

14.5 

10.4 

11.0 

4.9 

4.9 

AROP (financial poverty) 

Severe  22.3 
With disabilities  19.9 
None  15.6 

Gap in pp. 

6.7 
Relative gap %  42.9 

22.7 

23.0 

24.0 

24.4 

23.1 

23.2 

20.2 

20.1 

20.9 

21.1 

21.0 

21.1 

15.9 

15.4 

15.0 

14.6 

14.8 

14.9 

6.8 

7.6 

9.0 

9.8 

8.3 

8.3 

42.8 

49.4 

60.0 

67.1 

56.1 

55.7 

Very low work intensity 

Severe  29.6 
With disabilities  19.2 

29.5 

28.9 

29.8 

29.8 

28.8 

28.3 

19.3 

18.4 

18.1 

18.2 

17.8 

18.6 

None 

7.5 
Gap in pp.  22.1 

7.6 

7.0 

6.4 

5.9 

6.1 

6.6 

23.4 
Relative gap %  294.7  288.2  312.9  365.6  405.1  372.1  328.8  454.4  415.8 

21.7 

23.9 

22.7 

21.9 

21.9 

25.9 

23.7 

Severe material & social deprivation 

Severe  17.4 
With disabilities  14.0 

16.8 

15.8 

15.6 

15.8 

14.6 

13.0 

13.2 

12.4 

11.8 

11.5 

11.3 

10.9 

7.0 

6.0 

5.4 

4.9 

5.4 

4.9 

None 

7.4 
Gap in pp.  10.0 

10.2 
Relative gap %  135.1  140.0  163.3  188.9  222.4  170.4  165.3  189.8  195.9 

10.9 

9.8 

9.8 

9.2 

8.1 

9.3 

9.6 

Note: Severe: persons with severe disabilities; With disabilities: all persons with disabilities; None: 
persons without disabilities. 
Data source: Eurostat, 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dm010__custom_16215123/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 10 April 2025 from [ESTAT].  

198 

 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

12  Persons at risk of poverty before and after social transfers 

12.1 Definitions 

In the following paragraphs, we will compare the percentage of persons at risk of poverty 
before social transfers (including pensions) and the equivalent rate after social transfers.  

This  is  not  an  actuarial  analysis.  Our  approach  does  not  compute  the  present  value  of 
lifetime benefits and contributions for each individual or group of persons. We must also 
note that the impact of social transfers cannot be measured by simply adding or subtracting 
transfers.  This  affects  economic  behaviours,  and  the  global  resulting  impact  is  not  a 
mechanical addition or subtraction from income.80 Our analysis is not based on a general 
equilibrium approach. 

Furthermore, transfers do not distinguish disability benefits based on insurance schemes 
from disability allowances based on non-contributory social or assistance policies. 

Given that pensions are regarded as a social transfer (and not the benefit of a contribution), 
it is interesting to present an analysis by age group and to distinguish economically active 
persons  from  retired  persons.  This  approach  allows  for  a  clear  distinction  between 
economically active individuals and retirees, providing deeper insights into their respective 
economic situations. 

The  SPC  (Indicators  Sub-Group)  has  retained  the  ‘Impact  of  social  cash  transfers 
(excluding  pensions)  on  poverty  risk  reduction  for  persons  with  disabilities  (16+)’  in  its 
Portfolio of EU Social Indicators.81 The Committee notes that the reference population is 
persons aged 16+ with moderate or severe disabilities, based on the GALI approach. 

The  indicator  aims  to  measure  the  effect  of  social  transfers  on  the  reduction  of  income 
poverty. 

12.2 Poverty alleviation of social transfers 

Eurostat presents the at-risk-of-poverty rate before social transfers. This is determined as 
the share of people with an equivalised disposable income before social transfers that is 
below the at-risk-of-poverty threshold as calculated after social transfers.82 

Social transfers cover the social help given by central state or local institutional units. They 
include: 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

old-age (retirement) and survivors’ (widows’ and widowers’) pensions; 
unemployment benefits; 
family-related benefits; 
sickness and invalidity benefits; 
education-related benefits; 
housing allowances; 
social assistance; and 
other benefits. 

80   For an in-depth discussion see: Guio, A.-C., Marlier, E., Nolan, B. (eds) (2021), Improving the 

understanding of poverty and social exclusion in Europe, Luxembourg, Publications Office of the European 
Union. For example, their analysis shows that measuring the effects of social transfers on the reduction of 
income poverty in net or gross terms does matter. The authors conclude that, this might have an important 
impact on the estimated country rankings, which are frequently used for policy recommendations. 
81   Social Protection Committee, Indicators Sub-Group (2022), Portfolio of EU Social Indicators for the 

Monitoring of Progress Towards the EU Objectives for Social Protection and Social Inclusion; Publications 
Office of the European Union. 

82   See: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Glossary:At-risk-of-poverty_rate. 

199 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

In the EU, in 2023, the percentage of persons with disabilities aged 16 and over at risk of 
poverty before transfers was 66.4 %. This rate reduces to 20.1 % after social transfers. 
The equivalent rates for persons without disabilities are 36.5 % and 14.1 %. 

Considering the reservations noted above, we can say, in a simplified way, that 66.4 % of 
the  EU  population  with  disabilities  would  have  been  at  risk  of  poverty,  but  after  taking 
account of social transfers (pensions being included in social transfers) the share is reduced 
to 20.1 %. 

We  can  observe  that  persons  with  disabilities  aged  16  and  over  experience  a  poverty 
alleviation  of  46.3  percentage  points,  compared  to  22.4  percentage  points  for  persons 
without disabilities. 

Analysis by age group indicates that the reduction in poverty is great for persons aged 65 
and over, although it should be noted that this is the consequence of the arbitrary decision 
to  treat  retirement  pensions  as  social  transfers.  In  fact,  recent  policies  have  tended  to 
establish a retirement pension system based on capitalisation. This means that retirement 
pensions cannot be regarded as a social transfer. While the hypothesis aims to simplify the 
comparison, it brings a significant bias to the analysis. For this reason, in the remaining 
analysis, we will focus on persons aged 16–64. 

However, this does not eliminate all bias due to the treatment of retirement pensions as 
social transfers. Indeed, a significant number of persons in the 55–64 age group receive 
early retirement pensions. 

Figure 102: Poverty alleviation by disability and age group, EU, 2023 

Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe030/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 18 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

12.3 Poverty alleviation of social transfers by Member State 

As explained above, we focus here on persons aged 16–64. 

In  the  EU  in  2023,  the  absolute  reduction  in  the  risk  of  poverty  after  social  transfers 
amounted  to  24.4  percentage  points  for  persons  with  disabilities  and  12.7  percentage 
points for persons without disabilities.  

In absolute terms, poverty alleviation was higher among persons with disabilities compared 
to persons without disabilities, in all Member States. For persons with disabilities aged 16–
64, the reduction in poverty was high in Bulgaria (34.8 percentage points), Belgium (35.9 
percentage points) and Ireland (36.0 percentage points). 

200 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 103: Absolute poverty alleviation by disability status and Member State, 
age: 16-64, EU, 2023 

Note:  Absolute  poverty  alleviation:  decrease  in  poverty  rates  before  and  after  social  transfers,  in 
absolute values. It is estimated for persons with and without disabilities. 
Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe030/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 18 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

The absolute decrease does not  correctly represent the importance of social transfers in 
reducing  the  risk  of  poverty.  In  fact,  a  decrease  from  30 %  to  25 %  (relative  change: 
16.7 %)  is  not  equivalent  to  a  decrease  from  20 %  to  15 %  (relative  change:  25.0 %). 
Consequently, in the following paragraphs, we present the relative decrease in poverty by 
Member State. 

In  the  EU  in  2023,  the  relative  reduction  in  the  risk  of  poverty  after  social  transfers 
amounted  to  54.0 %  [(45.2 %  –  20.8 %)  /  45.2 %]  for  persons  with  disabilities  aged 
16 – 64, and 47.4 % [(26.8 % – 14.1 %) / 26.8 %] for persons without disabilities in the 
same age group. 

In  relative  terms,  in  the  majority  of  Member  States,  poverty  alleviation  was  more 
pronounced  among  persons  with  disabilities  than  among  those  without  disabilities. 
However, in four Member States, the relative decrease in poverty was smaller for persons 
with  disabilities  than  for  those  without  disabilities  (in  decreasing  order  of  differences  in 
absolute  values  these  were:  Lithuania,  Croatia,  Hungary  and  Italy).  This  indicates  a 
deterioration  in  the  relative  situation  of  persons  with  disabilities  compared  to  their 
counterparts without disabilities. 

201 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 104: Relative poverty alleviation by disability status and Member State, 
age: 16-64, EU, 2023 

Relative poverty alleviation: decrease in poverty rates before and after social transfers, expressed 
as a percentage, in absolute values, estimated for persons with and without disabilities. 
Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe030/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 18 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

Another  way  to  measure  the  impact  of  social  transfers  on  reducing  the  disadvantage  of 
persons with disabilities relative to persons without disabilities is to consider the ratios of 
relative poverty decreases. A ratio higher than 100 means that the relative decrease among 
persons with disabilities is greater than among persons without disabilities. Consequently, 
the relative disability gap is decreasing.  

The following figure indicates that social transfers have a strong impact  on reducing the 
relative disability gap (between persons with and without disabilities) in Romania (135.5), 
Greece  (137.9)  and  Bulgaria  (151.2).  In  contrast,  social  transfers  in  Lithuania  (89.5), 
Croatia  (95.6),  Hungary  (99.1)  and  Italy  (99.3)  appear  to  fail  to  reduce  the  relative 
disability gap in monetary poverty. In  fact, in these countries,  social transfers lead to  a 
relative  poverty  alleviation  that  is  higher  among  persons  without  disabilities  than  for 
persons with disabilities, at least for 2023. The policy of social transfers, at least for the 
transfers noted above, have an adverse impact on persons with disabilities in comparison 
to persons without disabilities.  

In the following figure, the straight line 100 indicates that the relative poverty alleviation 
for  persons  with  and  without  disabilities  is  equal  and  there  is  no  relative  change  in  one 
group in comparison to another. 

It is important to remember that, in the above discussion, we are speaking about relative 
terms. If we focus on absolute changes, the absolute poverty gaps (in percentage points) 
have been reduced. 

202 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 105: Ratio of relative poverty alleviations by disability status and 
Member State, age: 16-64, EU, 2023 

Ratio = 100*(Relative poverty alleviation of persons with disabilities / Relative poverty alleviation of 
persons without disabilities). A ratio higher than 100 means that the poverty gap is decreasing. 
Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe030/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 18 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

The  above  discussion  can  be  summarised  in  the  following  figure.  We  may  observe  that 
social transfers decrease relative poverty gaps in most Member States. However, in four 
Member States, the relative gap has increased. 

As  noted  above,  social  transfers  in  Lithuania,  Croatia,  Hungary  and  Italy,  in  decreasing 
order,  seem  to  be  failing  to  reduce  the  relative  disability  gap  in  monetary  poverty.  The 
relative gap is higher after social transfers compared to the situation before these transfers. 

Figure 106: Relative poverty gap before and after social transfers by Member 
State, age: 16-64, EU, 2023 
Persons with disabilities compared to persons without disabilities 

Relative  poverty  gap  =  100  *  (%  of  persons  with  disabilities  in  poverty  –  %  of  persons  without 
disabilities in poverty) / (% of persons without disabilities in poverty). The rate is calculated before 
and after social transfers. 
Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe030/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 18 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

203 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

12.4 Poverty alleviation of social transfers by gender 

EU-SILC  data  might  underestimate  gender  differences.  In  fact,  income  is  assessed  at 
household level, with the same value assigned uniformly to all household members. 

In the following table, we present the percentages of persons at risk of poverty for persons 
with and without disabilities by gender, before and after social transfers (pensions included 
in social transfers). 

First, we compare gender differences inside each group. For persons with disabilities, we 
can  observe  a  reduction  in  the  relative  gap  between  women  and  men  because  of  social 
transfers. The relative gender difference increases from 1.3 % to 5.1 %. The situation has 
undergone a reversal. We also observe a reduction among persons without disabilities. The 
gender  difference  in  this  group  drops  from  13.9 %  to  7.4 %.  Differences  in  percentage 
points indicate similar conclusions. 

Secondly, when comparing women with disabilities and women without disabilities, social 
transfers narrow the disability gap. In absolute terms, the gap drops from 16.9 percentage 
points  (45.5  –  28.6)  to  5.7  percentage  points  (20.3 – 14.6).  Similarly,  the  relative 
difference decreases from 59.1 % ((45.5 - 28.6)/28.6)  to  39.0 % ((20.3 – 14.6)/14.6). 

Table 105: Persons at risk of poverty (AROP) before and after social transfers 
by gender, and disability status, aged: 16-64, EU, 2023 

Persons with disabilities 

Persons without disabilities 

Gender 

Before 

After 

Total 

45.2 

20.8 

Male 

44.9 

21.4 

Female 

45.5 

20.3 

Total 

26.8 

14.1 

Male 

25.1 

13.6 

Female 

28.6 

14.6 

Difference in percentage points (Female – Male) for each group 

Before 

After 

0.6 

-1.1 

Relative difference in % (100 x (Female – Male) / Male) for each group 

Before 

After 

1.3 

-5.1 

3.5 

1.0 

13.9 

7.4 

Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe030/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 21 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

12.5 Poverty alleviation of social transfers by Member State and degree 

As  before,  we  focus  here  on  persons  aged  16–64.  Since  our  goal  is  to  analyse  whether 
social  transfers  reduce  the  risk  of  monetary  poverty,  we  shall  compare  the  situation  of 
persons with severe disabilities and without disabilities. 

In  the  EU  in  2023,  the  absolute  reduction  of  the  risk  of  poverty  after  social  transfers 
amounted  to  36.0  percentage  points  for  persons  with  severe  disabilities  and  12.7 
percentage points for persons without disabilities.  

In  absolute  terms,  poverty  alleviation  was  higher  for  persons  with  severe  disabilities, 
compared to persons without disabilities, in  all Member States.  For persons with severe 
disabilities  aged  16–64,  the  reduction  in  poverty  was  high  in  Belgium  (49.6  percentage 
points), Bulgaria (52.1 percentage points), and Ireland (53.0 percentage points).  

204 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 107: Absolute poverty alleviation of social transfers by disability status 
and Member State, age: 16-64, EU, 2023 
Persons with severe disabilities compared to persons without disabilities 

Absolute poverty alleviation = % AROP before – % AROP after. 
Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe020__custom_16334898/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 21 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

However, as noted above, the absolute decrease does not correctly represent the impact 
of  social  transfers  on  reducing  poverty.  Consequently,  in  the  following  paragraphs,  we 
present the relative decrease in poverty by Member State. 

In  the  EU  in  2023,  the  relative  reduction  in  the  risk  of  poverty  after  social  transfers 
amounted  to  58.3 %  for  persons  with  severe  disabilities  aged  16–64,  and  47.4 %  for 
persons without disabilities of the same age group.83  

In  relative  terms,  relative  poverty  alleviation  was  higher  among  persons  with  severe 
disabilities compared to persons without disabilities in the large majority of Member States, 
except in Croatia and in Lithuania.  

83   The relative reduction is equal to 100* (% in poverty before social transfers – % in poverty after social 

transfers) / % in poverty before social transfers. 

205 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 108: Relative poverty alleviation by disability status (severe and no 
disabilities) and Member State, age: 16-64, EU, 2023 
Persons with severe disabilities compared to persons without disabilities 

Relative poverty alleviation = 100* (% in poverty before social transfers – % in poverty after social 
transfers) / % in poverty before social transfers. 
Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe020__custom_16334898/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 21 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

Another way to represent the impact of social transfers on reducing the disadvantage of 
persons with  severe disabilities  relative to persons  without disabilities  is to consider the 
ratios  of  relative  poverty  alleviations  before  and  after  social  transfers.  Relative  poverty 
alleviation here is calculated for each group separately. A ratio higher than 100 indicates 
that  the  relative  decrease  in  poverty  is  greater  among  persons  with  severe  disabilities 
compared  to  those  without  disabilities.  As  a  result,  the  relative  position  of  persons  with 
severe  disabilities  improves  compared  to  that  of  persons  without  disabilities.  On  the 
contrary,  if  the  ratio  is  lower  than  100,  social  transfers  worsen  the  situation  of  persons 
with severe disabilities in comparison to persons without disabilities. 

The following figures indicate that social transfers have a strong impact  on reducing the 
relative  gap  (between  persons  with  severe  and  persons  without  disabilities)  in  the 
Netherlands (147.4), in Romania (162.8) and in Bulgaria (173.7). On the contrary, social 
transfers fail to reduce the relative poverty gap in Croatia (85.4) and Lithuania (93.3). In 
fact, in these countries, the ratio is lower than 100 and, in simplified terms, persons without 
disabilities benefit far more from social transfers than persons with severe disabilities. 

206 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 109: Ratio of relative poverty alleviations by disability status and 
Member State, age: 16-64, EU, 2023 
Persons with severe disabilities compared to persons without disabilities 

Note: Ratio = 100*(Relative poverty alleviation of persons with severe disabilities / Relative poverty 
alleviation of persons without  disabilities). A  ratio  higher than 100 means that the poverty gap  is 
decreasing. 
Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe020__custom_16334898/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 21 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

The above discussion can be summarised in the following figure. This figure indicates that 
social transfers have a strong impact on reducing the relative poverty gap in most Member 
States. 

Social transfers in Croatia and Lithuania fail to reduce the relative disability gap in AROP. 
In  fact,  in  these  countries,  the  relative  disability  gap  in  poverty  after  social  transfers  is 
higher compared to the relative gap before social transfers, at least for 2023. 

The policy of social transfers, at least for the transfers noted above, has an adverse impact 
on  persons  with  severe  disabilities  relative  to  persons  without  disabilities.  However,  we 
must note that there is an adverse impact from social transfers in two Member States, and 
in four Member States when comparing all persons with disabilities and persons without 
disabilities. One possible explanation could be that the severity of disability is considered 
when determining eligibility for social transfers. 

Figure 110: Relative poverty gap before and after social transfers by Member 
State, age: 16-64, EU, 2023 
Relative gap between persons with severe disabilities and persons without disabilities 

207 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Relative poverty gap = 100 * (% of persons with severe disabilities in poverty – % of persons without 
disabilities in poverty) / (% of persons without disabilities in poverty). The rate is calculated before 
and after social transfers. 
Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe030/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 18 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

12.6 Annual change of poverty alleviation by Member State  

In  the  following  paragraphs,  we  analyse  the  evolution  of  relative  poverty  alleviation 
between 2022 and 2023.  

To this end, we retain the relative changes before and after social transfers for each group. 
In other words, we calculate the relative poverty  decrease for persons with and without 
disabilities for each year. 

Social transfers reduce poverty rates for both groups, but the importance of this reduction 
is not the same. A higher relative poverty reduction among persons with disabilities relative 
to  persons  without  disabilities  means  that  the  relative  gap  between  the  two  groups 
narrows. 

For each year, we present the ratio of relative poverty alleviation of persons with disabilities 
divided by the relative poverty alleviation of persons without disabilities, in absolute values 
and  multiplied  by  100.  If  the  ratio  is  higher  than  100,  then  the  relative  gap  narrows; 
otherwise, it increases. 

In the following figure, note that a certain number of Member States have a social transfers 
system  that  is  permanently  disadvantageous  for  persons  with  disabilities  compared  to 
persons without disabilities (e.g. in Croatia and in Lithuania). 

Figure 111: Ratios of relative poverty alleviations following social transfers by 
Member State and year, age: 16-64 
For each year and Member State, the ratio is equal to: Relative poverty alleviation of persons with 
disabilities  divided  by  the  relative  poverty  alleviation  of  persons  without  disabilities,  in  absolute 
values and multiplied by 100. 

Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe030/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 18 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

208 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

12.7 Evolution of poverty alleviation at EU level 

In the following figure, we may note that the impact of social transfers tends to reduce the 
disadvantage of persons with disabilities compared to persons without disabilities. Indeed, 
following the implementation of social transfers in the EU, the relative reduction in poverty 
was greater among persons with disabilities compared to those without disabilities.  

However, we can observe a slowdown of this convergence. In fact, a  downward trend is 
noted. The ratio decreases over time. This means that redistribution is weakening. 

Figure 112: Relative poverty alleviation by disability status, age: 16-64, EU 
Relative poverty alleviation: decrease in poverty rates before and after social transfers, expressed 
as a percentage, in absolute values. It is estimated for persons with and without disabilities. 

The dashed line represents a linear regression trend (R²=0.40). 
Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe030/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 18 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

209 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

12.8 Statistical tables 

Table 106: Persons at risk of poverty (AROP) before and after social transfers 
by disability status and Member State, aged 16-64, EU, 2023 
The comparison is between persons with disabilities and persons without disabilities. 

Persons at risk of poverty 

Before 
social transfers 
Disability 

After 
social transfers 
Disability 

Comparison between 
persons with and 
without disabilities 
Relative gap 

Comparison for 
each group 
before and after 
Decrease in poverty 

% 

pp. 

% 

No 

Before  After 

Diff 

Dis 

NoDis  Ratio 

Yes 

1 

No 

2 

Yes 

3 

% 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

46.4 

54.3 

58.2 

42.6 

39.9 

43.6 

41.4 

43.4 

51.0 

40.5 

39.7 

48.1 

50.6 

49.4 

53.4 

47.2 

49.4 

47.4 

42.0 

MT 

36.6 

NL 

PL 

PT 

37.7 

50.1 

41.3 

RO 

55.1 

SE 

SI 

SK 

44.9 

44.7 

40.9 

26.5 

24.3 

31.6 

19.8 

15.0 

22.8 

20.4 

22.6 

31.4 

29.5 

21.5 

28.4 

22.1 

20.5 

23.7 

32.8 

25.3 

31.6 

24.5 

20.0 

17.5 

29.9 

25.3 

31.8 

23.1 

22.2 

29.9 

16.6 

18.4 

23.4 

19.5 

13.2 

19.4 

16.1 

25.4 

22.1 

21.8 

17.2 

20.4 

28.5 

22.9 

17.4 

25.9 

30.7 

23.9 

24.6 

18.1 

17.6 

19.3 

22.4 

26.7 

24.9 

18.3 

13.8 

12.1 

9.0 

19.1 

10.3 

6.5 

11.8 

10.9 

14.0 

18.5 

17.9 

10.7 

13.3 

12.0 

9.4 

8.3 

17.9 

14.6 

18.1 

15.1 

11.7 

10.0 

12.7 

14.1 

19.7 

14.1 

9.9 

13.2 

4 

5 

6 

100x 
(1-2)/2 
75.1 

100x 
(3-4)/4 
37.2 

7 

5-6 

37.9 

123.5 

104.4 

19.0 

84.2 

115.2 

22.5 

89.3 

61.7 

25.8 

166.0 

103.1 

62.9 

91.2 

102.9 

92.0 

62.4 

37.3 

84.7 

69.4 

64.4 

47.7 

81.4 

19.5 

21.8 

60.7 

53.4 

129.0 

137.5 

141.0 

143.6 

26.8 

55.2 

10.6 

43.0 

15.5 

23.9 

16.0 

-8.5 

-2.6 

125.3 

109.6 

15.7 

43.9 

95.3 

50.0 

71.4 

83.0 

115.4 

67.6 

63.2 

73.3 

94.4 

101.4 

36.8 

44.7 

-0.8 

110.3 

-15.0 

32.0 

62.9 

54.7 

76.0 

52.0 

58.9 

35.5 

76.6 

84.8 

4.5 

18.0 

8.5 

28.3 

39.4 

15.6 

4.4 

37.7 

17.8 

16.5 

32.2 

9 

10 

11 

100x 
(1-3)/1 
64.2 

100x 
(2-4)/2 
54.3 

66.1 

59.8 

54.2 

66.9 

55.5 

61.1 

41.5 

56.7 

46.2 

56.7 

57.6 

43.7 

53.6 

67.4 

45.1 

37.9 

49.6 

41.4 

50.5 

53.3 

61.5 

45.8 

51.5 

44.5 

59.1 

66.3 

63.0 

39.6 

48.0 

56.7 

48.2 

46.6 

38.1 

41.1 

39.3 

50.2 

53.2 

45.7 

54.1 

65.0 

45.4 

42.3 

42.7 

38.4 

41.5 

42.9 

57.5 

44.3 

38.1 

39.0 

55.4 

55.9 

100x 
9/10 
118.2 

105.0 

151.2 

113.0 

118.1 

115.0 

131.2 

109.0 

137.9 

117.4 

112.8 

108.3 

95.6 

99.1 

103.8 

99.3 

89.5 

116.0 

108.0 

121.8 

124.4 

106.9 

103.4 

135.5 

114.3 

106.6 

118.6 

EU 

45.2 

26.8 

20.8 

14.1 

68.7 

47.5 

21.1 

54.0 

47.4 

113.9 

Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe030/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 18 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

210 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 107: Persons at risk of poverty (AROP) before and after social transfers 
by disability status and Member State, aged 16-64, EU, 2022 
The comparison is between persons with disabilities and persons without disabilities. 

Persons at risk of poverty 

Before 
social transfers 
Disability 

After 
social transfers 
Disability 

Comparison between 
persons with and 
without disabilities 
Relative gap 

Comparison for 
each group 
before and after 
Decrease in poverty 

% 

pp. 

% 

No 

Before  After 

Diff 

Dis 

NoDis  Ratio 

Yes 

1 

No 

2 

Yes 

3 

% 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

47.6 

56.6 

52.6 

45.1 

40.9 

43.5 

39.2 

49.2 

52.8 

43.0 

41.3 

51.1 

51.4 

52.3 

56.8 

46.4 

51.9 

42.2 

45.9 

MT 

43.7 

NL 

PL 

PT 

40.6 

49.2 

39.8 

RO 

55.5 

SE 

SI 

SK 

49.4 

45.1 

47.3 

28.2 

23.5 

31.7 

20.1 

15.8 

21.8 

21.5 

23.1 

33.7 

32.1 

24.3 

29.4 

21.6 

21.7 

27.5 

32.6 

23.5 

30.1 

24.6 

21.3 

17.6 

31.3 

26.5 

30.6 

23.5 

23.7 

30.8 

17.5 

21.4 

25.0 

18.9 

15.8 

19.0 

15.6 

28.6 

24.6 

21.7 

16.4 

21.3 

26.3 

25.9 

22.9 

20.8 

30.2 

20.9 

26.8 

23.3 

23.7 

20.1 

20.7 

27.8 

26.9 

16.3 

17.7 

12.6 

9.3 

18.6 

11.2 

6.3 

11.2 

11.5 

13.2 

18.4 

18.4 

11.5 

13.3 

10.9 

9.8 

8.9 

19.8 

13.4 

15.5 

14.6 

11.5 

10.2 

12.9 

14.1 

19.1 

13.5 

9.8 

12.0 

4 

5 

6 

100* 
(1-2)/2 
68.8 

100* 
(3-4)/4 
38.9 

7 

5-6 

29.9 

140.9 

130.1 

10.7 

65.9 

124.4 

34.4 

68.8 

31.5 

55.6 

158.9 

150.8 

8.1 

99.5 

82.3 

69.6 

35.7 

29.9 

46.7 

113.0 

116.7 

-3.7 

56.7 

34.0 

70.0 

73.8 

33.7 

17.9 

42.6 

60.2 

23.0 

16.0 

27.4 

13.7 

138.0 

141.3 

-3.3 

141.0 

164.3 

-23.3 

106.5 

157.3 

-50.8 

42.3 

5.1 

37.3 

120.9 

125.4 

-4.5 

40.2 

86.6 

34.8 

83.6 

105.2 

102.6 

5.4 

3.0 

2.6 

130.7 

132.4 

-1.7 

57.2 

50.2 

81.4 

110.2 

90.3 

53.6 

55.8 

46.8 

45.5 

99.3 

66.3 

47.5 

1.4 

3.4 

35.8 

11.0 

24.0 

6.1 

9 

10 

11 

100* 
(1-3)/1 
63.2 

100* 
(2-4)/2 
55.3 

62.2 

52.5 

58.1 

61.4 

56.3 

60.2 

41.9 

53.4 

49.5 

60.3 

58.3 

48.8 

50.5 

59.7 

55.2 

41.8 

50.5 

41.6 

46.7 

41.6 

59.1 

48.0 

49.9 

45.5 

63.9 

62.6 

60.4 

41.3 

44.3 

60.1 

48.6 

46.5 

42.9 

45.4 

42.7 

52.7 

54.8 

49.5 

54.8 

67.6 

39.3 

43.0 

48.5 

40.7 

46.0 

42.0 

58.8 

46.8 

37.6 

42.6 

58.6 

61.0 

100* 
9/10 
114.3 

102.9 

127.0 

131.2 

102.1 

115.8 

129.4 

97.7 

117.6 

116.1 

114.5 

106.5 

98.6 

92.0 

88.2 

140.5 

97.3 

104.1 

102.4 

101.5 

99.0 

100.6 

102.6 

132.8 

107.0 

108.9 

102.5 

EU 

46.5 

27.9 

21.2 

14.5 

66.7 

46.2 

20.5 

54.4 

48.0 

113.3 

Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe030__custom_11191116/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 3 May 2024 from [ESTAT]. 

211 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 108: Persons at risk of poverty (AROP) before and after social transfers 
by disability status (severe/ no disabilities) and Member State, aged 16-64, EU, 
2023 
The comparison is between persons with severe disabilities and persons without disabilities. 

Persons at risk of poverty 

Before 
social transfers 
Disability 

After 
social transfers 
Disability 

% 

Comparison between 
persons with and 
without disabilities 
Relative gap 

Comparison for 
each group 
before and after 
Decrease in poverty 

Severe 

No 

Severe 

No 

Before  After 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

67.5 

69.8 

75.8 

56.6 

58.9 

65.4 

54.5 

62.3 

60.0 

55.6 

59.1 

56.8 

67.1 

67.1 

73.7 

63.0 

71.2 

54.8 

66.5 

39.1 

64.9 

62.0 

52.6 

77.8 

66.3 

56.1 

59.4 

% 

26.5 

24.3 

31.6 

19.8 

15.0 

22.8 

20.4 

22.6 

31.4 

29.5 

21.5 

28.4 

22.1 

20.5 

23.7 

32.8 

25.3 

31.6 

24.5 

20.0 

17.5 

29.9 

25.3 

31.8 

23.1 

22.2 

29.9 

22.8 

20.2 

23.7 

26.6 

17.6 

27.4 

22.4 

34.5 

24.2 

27.6 

26.3 

23.4 

40.9 

27.8 

20.7 

29.0 

43.1 

23.7 

36.0 

17.4 

23.9 

23.0 

28.9 

29.6 

35.5 

23.4 

15.8 

pp. 

Diff 

7 

5-6 

66.3 

100* 
(1-2)/2 
154.7 

100* 
(3-4)/4 
88.4 

12.1 

9.0 

187.2 

124.4 

62.8 

19.1 

139.9 

24.1 

115.8 

10.3 

185.9 

158.3 

27.6 

6.5 

292.7 

170.8 

121.9 

11.8 

186.8 

132.2 

54.6 

10.9 

167.2 

105.5 

61.7 

14.0 

175.7 

146.4 

29.2 

18.5 

17.9 

91.1 

88.5 

30.8 

54.2 

60.3 

34.3 

10.7 

174.9 

145.8 

29.1 

13.3 

100.0 

75.9 

24.1 

12.0 

203.6 

240.8 

-37.2 

9.4 

8.3 

227.3 

195.7 

31.6 

211.0 

149.4 

61.6 

17.9 

92.1 

62.0 

30.1 

14.6 

181.4 

195.2 

-13.8 

18.1 

73.4 

30.9 

42.5 

15.1 

171.4 

138.4 

33.0 

11.7 

95.5 

48.7 

46.8 

10.0 

270.9 

139.0 

131.9 

12.7 

107.4 

81.1 

26.3 

14.1 

107.9 

105.0 

2.9 

19.7 

144.7 

50.3 

94.4 

14.1 

187.0 

151.8 

35.2 

9.9 

152.7 

136.4 

16.3 

13.2 

98.7 

19.7 

79.0 

% 

Sev 

NoDis  Ratio 

9 

10 

11 

100* 
(1-3)/1 
66.2 

100* 
(2-4)/2 
54.3 

71.1 

68.7 

53.0 

70.1 

58.1 

58.9 

44.6 

59.7 

50.4 

55.5 

58.8 

39.0 

58.6 

71.9 

54.0 

39.5 

56.8 

45.9 

55.5 

63.2 

62.9 

45.1 

62.0 

46.5 

58.3 

73.4 

63.0 

39.6 

48.0 

56.7 

48.2 

46.6 

38.1 

41.1 

39.3 

50.2 

53.2 

45.7 

54.1 

65.0 

45.4 

42.3 

42.7 

38.4 

41.5 

42.9 

57.5 

44.3 

38.1 

39.0 

55.4 

55.9 

100* 
9/10 
121.9 

112.9 

173.8 

110.5 

123.7 

120.4 

126.5 

117.3 

145.2 

128.1 

110.5 

110.6 

85.4 

108.2 

110.7 

118.8 

93.3 

132.8 

119.5 

133.7 

147.4 

109.3 

101.8 

162.8 

119.2 

105.2 

131.4 

EU 

61.8 

26.8 

25.8 

14.1 

130.6 

83.0 

47.6 

58.3 

47.4 

122.9 

Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe030/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 18 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

212 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 109: Persons at risk of poverty (AROP) before and after social transfers 
by disability status (severe/ no disabilities) and Member State, aged 16-64, EU, 
2022 
The comparison is between persons with severe disabilities and persons without disabilities. 

Persons at risk of poverty 

Before 
social transfers 
Disability 

After 
social transfers 
Disability 

Comparison between 
persons with and 
without disabilities 
Relative gap 

Comparison for 
each group 
before and after 
Decrease in poverty 

% 

pp. 

% 

Severe 

No 

Severe 

No 

Before  After 

Diff 

Sev 

NoDis  Ratio 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

68.1 

73.4 

62.7 

65.0 

57.0 

64.0 

50.7 

66.3 

61.0 

57.5 

66.3 

61.1 

66.6 

71.0 

80.8 

65.3 

70.7 

51.3 

71.6 

49.7 

68.4 

61.0 

57.5 

74.6 

63.8 

52.9 

63.6 

% 

28.2 

23.5 

31.7 

20.1 

15.8 

21.8 

21.5 

23.1 

33.7 

32.1 

24.3 

29.4 

21.6 

21.7 

27.5 

32.6 

23.5 

30.1 

24.6 

21.3 

17.6 

31.3 

26.5 

30.6 

23.5 

23.7 

30.8 

30.1 

25.3 

28.4 

27.6 

22.8 

27.8 

16.4 

45.6 

27.4 

28.6 

26.6 

22.9 

35.7 

35.6 

30.1 

23.8 

41.0 

20.5 

43.4 

22.8 

40.4 

22.0 

25.2 

34.1 

39.2 

21.0 

21.9 

7 

5-6 

2.6 

100* 
(1-2)/2 
141.5 

100* 
(3-4)/4 
138.9 

12.6 

9.3 

212.3 

172.0 

40.3 

18.6 

97.8 

52.7 

45.1 

11.2 

223.4 

146.4 

77.0 

6.3 

260.8 

261.9 

-1.1 

11.2 

193.6 

148.2 

45.4 

11.5 

135.8 

42.6 

93.2 

13.2 

187.0 

245.5 

-58.4 

18.4 

18.4 

81.0 

79.1 

48.9 

55.4 

32.1 

23.7 

11.5 

172.8 

131.3 

41.5 

13.3 

107.8 

72.2 

35.6 

10.9 

208.3 

227.5 

-19.2 

9.8 

8.9 

227.2 

263.3 

-36.1 

193.8 

238.2 

-44.4 

19.8 

100.3 

20.2 

80.1 

13.4 

200.9 

206.0 

-5.1 

15.5 

70.4 

32.3 

38.2 

14.6 

191.1 

197.3 

-6.2 

11.5 

133.3 

98.3 

35.1 

10.2 

288.6 

296.1 

-7.4 

12.9 

94.9 

14.1 

117.0 

19.1 

143.8 

70.5 

78.7 

78.5 

24.3 

38.3 

65.3 

13.5 

171.5 

190.4 

-18.9 

9.8 

123.2 

114.3 

8.9 

12.0 

106.5 

82.5 

24.0 

9 

10 

11 

100* 
(1-3)/1 
55.8 

100* 
(2-4)/2 
55.3 

65.5 

54.7 

57.5 

60.0 

56.6 

67.7 

31.2 

55.1 

50.3 

59.9 

62.5 

46.4 

49.9 

62.7 

63.6 

42.0 

60.0 

39.4 

54.1 

40.9 

63.9 

56.2 

54.3 

38.6 

60.3 

65.6 

60.4 

41.3 

44.3 

60.1 

48.6 

46.5 

42.9 

45.4 

42.7 

52.7 

54.8 

49.5 

54.8 

67.6 

39.3 

43.0 

48.5 

40.7 

46.0 

42.0 

58.8 

46.8 

37.6 

42.6 

58.6 

61.0 

100* 
9/10 
100.9 

108.4 

132.4 

129.9 

99.8 

116.3 

145.5 

72.9 

121.3 

117.8 

113.7 

114.2 

93.7 

90.9 

92.8 

161.9 

97.7 

123.8 

96.9 

117.6 

97.4 

108.8 

120. 

144.5 

90.6 

102.8 

107.4 

EU 

63.1 

27.9 

26.7 

14.5 

126.2 

84.1 

42.0 

57.7 

48.0 

120.1 

Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe030__custom_11191116/default/table?la
ng=en. Data extracted on 3 May 2024 from [ESTAT]. 

213 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 110: Persons at risk of poverty (AROP) before and after social transfers 
by disability status, aged 16-64, EU, 2010-2023 

Persons at risk of poverty 

Before 
social transfers 

After 
social transfers 

Relative changes before and after 
social transfers 

Persons 
with 
disabilities 

Persons 
without 
disabilities 

Persons 
with 
disabilities 

Persons 
without 
disabilities 

Persons 
with 
disabilities 

Persons 
without 
disabilities 

Difference 
of rates 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

2014 

2015 

2016 

2017 

2018 

2019 

2020 

2021 

2022 

50.5 

51.7 

50.3 

50.5 

51.4 

51.9 

51.5 

50.1 

49.3 

48.9 

48.9 

50.6 

46.5 

30.3 

30.7 

30.4 

30.6 

31.1 

30.9 

31.1 

30.0 

29.4 

28.4 

28.7 

30.6 

27.9 

% 

14.7 

15.1 

15.4 

15.5 

16.1 

16.3 

16.6 

15.8 

15.3 

14.8 

15.0 

15.1 

14.5 

19.9 

21.3 

21.3 

21.7 

23.0 

23.7 

23.6 

23.0 

23.7 

22.9 

22.1 

22.7 

21.2 

60.6 

58.8 

57.7 

57.0 

55.3 

54.3 

54.2 

54.1 

51.9 

53.2 

54.8 

55.1 

54.4 

51.5 

50.8 

49.3 

49.3 

48.2 

47.2 

46.6 

47.3 

48.0 

47.9 

47.7 

50.7 

48.0 

pp. 

9.1 

8.0 

8.3 

7.7 

7.0 

7.1 

7.6 

6.8 

4.0 

5.3 

7.1 

4.5 

6.4 

45.2 

2023 
Data source: Eurostat,  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/hlth_dpe030/default/table?lang=en&category=ds
b.dsb_ilc.dsb_ilcip. Data extracted on 18 April 2025 from [ESTAT]. 

26.8 

47.4 

14.1 

20.8 

54.0 

6.6 

214 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

13  Long-term care needs 

13.1 Relevance to EU policy / strategy 

Article 19  of  the  UN  Convention  on  the  Rights  of  Persons  with  Disabilities  covers  living 
independently and being included in the community. It provides that ‘States Parties to the 
Convention  recognize  the  equal  right  of  all  persons  with  disabilities  to  live  in  the 
community, with choices equal to others’. It notes that appropriate measures to facilitate 
full enjoyment by persons with disabilities of this right include, notably, the following: 

‘(a)   Persons with disabilities can choose their place of residence and are not obliged to 

live in a particular living arrangement; 

(b)   Persons  with  disabilities  have  access  to  a  range  of  in-home,  residential,  and  other 
community  support  services,  including  personal  assistance  necessary  to  support 
living in the community, and to prevent isolation or segregation from the community; 
(c)   Community services and facilities for the general population are available on an equal 

basis to persons with disabilities and are responsive to their needs’. 

The EPSR is about delivering new and more effective rights for citizens. It builds on 20 key 
principles,  structured  around  three  categories:  1)  Equal  opportunities  and  access  to  the 
labour market; 2) Fair working conditions; and 3) Social protection and inclusion. The third 
area  covers  healthcare,  inclusion  of  people  with  disabilities,  and  long-term  care.  The 
healthcare principle stipulates that everyone has the right to timely access to affordable, 
preventive and curative healthcare of good quality. 

The EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021–203084 stresses the need 
for sustainable and equal access to healthcare and notes that persons with disabilities have 
the right to high-quality healthcare. In addition, it considers that monitoring progress in 
Member States requires improved statistical data collection about the situation of persons 
with disabilities. 

The  health  and  long-term  care  strand  of  the  Open  Method  of  Coordination  focuses  on 
indicators related to social protection. This is structured along the three objectives of the 
health and long-term care strand: access to care and inequalities in outcomes, quality of 
care, and long-term sustainability of systems. 

In  the  following  paragraphs,  we  present  the  percentage  of  persons  with  self-care 
difficulties, persons with long-term care needs and long-term care expenditure.85 

13.2 Persons with self-care difficulties 

The EU-SILC 2022 three-year  rolling  module on health includes  a question on self-care. 
Detailed results have been presented in previous EDE reports. We present here a summary 
of these results. 

The EU-SILC 2022 three-year rolling question is: Do you have difficulty with self-care, such 
as washing all over or dressing? Would you say… 

1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 

No, no difficulty 
Yes, some difficulty 
Yes, a lot of difficulty 
Cannot do at all. 

84   European Commission (2021), Communication from the Commission – Union of Equality: Strategy for the 

Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030. 

85   ‘Long-term care is defined as a range of services and assistance for people who, as a result of mental 

and/or physical frailty and/or disability over an extended period of time, depend on help with daily living 
activities and/or are in need of some permanent nursing care’. European Commission (2021): ‘Long-term 
care report: Trends, challenges and opportunities in an ageing society, Vol. 1’. Joint report prepared by the 
Social Protection Committee (SPC) and the European Commission (DG EMPL). 

215 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

In the table below, responses 3 and 4 have been aggregated into ‘severe difficulties’. 

In the EU in 2022, about 6.7 % of persons aged 16 and over declared difficulties in self-
care. This rate increases sharply after the age of 74. 

Table 111: Percentage of persons with difficulties in self-care activities by age 
group, EU, 2022 
Persons living in private households. 

Moderate 

Severe 

None 

Moderate 
or severe 
1.3 

1.5 

1.9 

2.9 

5.0 

8.6 

0.8 

0.9 

1.3 

2.1 

3.8 

6.5 

29.1 

19.8 

0.6 

0.6 

0.7 

0.8 

1.2 

2.0 

9.2 

98.7 

98.5 

98.1 

97.1 

95.0 

91.4 

70.9 

16 – 24  

25 – 34 

35 – 44 

45 – 54 

55 – 64 

65 – 74 

75+ 

Total 

6.7 

4.7 

2.0 

93.3 

Note: The data are Eurostat estimates. Eurostat does not present data for Germany. 
Data source: Eurostat, 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ilc_hch19$dv_2264/default/table?lang=en&categ
ory=dsb.dsb_p.dsb_pba. Data extracted on 27 July 2024 from [ESTAT]. 

The EU-SILC three-year rolling module on health will provide updated results that will be 
analysed in future reports. 

13.2.1 Analysis by Member State 

In the following figure, we may observe a wide variability across Member States. However, 
in absolute values, the rate of severe difficulties varies between 1 % and 2 % in most of 
the Member States. We may consider this population to be a priority target group. 

Figure 113: Percentage of persons with difficulties in self-care by degree and 
Member State, aged 16+ 
Persons living in private households. 

Note: Data for Germany are of a low reliability. 
Data source: Eurostat, 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ilc_hch19$dv_2264/default/table?lang=en&categ
ory=dsb.dsb_p.dsb_pba. Data extracted on 27 July 2024 from [ESTAT]. 

216 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

The EU-SILC 2022 three-year rolling module on health does not include any question on 
needs or meeting needs. This is covered by the EHIS survey. Consequently, we present 
the results of this survey below. The latest survey took place in 2019. 

Note that the question included in the EU-SILC is a simple question, while the EHIS contains 
several detailed questions. In addition, the EU-SILC covers persons aged 16 and over while 
the EHIS survey covers persons aged 55 and over (before 2019, this was 65 and over). 

13.3 Long-term care expenditure 

Eurostat presents statistics on long-term care (health) expenditure.86 This includes a range 
of medical and personal care services that are  used with the primary goal of alleviating 
pain and suffering and reducing or managing the deterioration in health status in patients 
with  a  degree  of  long-term  dependency.  Eurostat  notes  that  such  services  cover  home-
based  care,  which  means  the  medical,  ancillary  and  nursing  services  that  are  used  by 
patients in their home. 

In the  following figure,  we present long-term care  expenditure per inhabitant (in  euros, 
adjusted for price differences  and  expressed in  purchasing power  standard (PPS))87 and 
long-term care expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP). 

A wide variation across Member States can be noted. The lowest expenditure per inhabitant 
is observed in Slovakia (EUR 7 PPS), Greece (31) and Croatia (47). The highest levels are 
found  in  Germany  (991),  Sweden  (1 056)  and  Netherlands  (1 257).  The  EU  average  is 
EUR 571 (571 PPS). 

Figure 114: Long-term care expenditure per inhabitant (in PPS) and long-term 
care expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP), EU, 2021 

Data source: Eurostat. Data extracted on 5 April 2024 from [ESTAT]. 

The two measures are strongly correlated. The proportion of GDP spent on long-term care 
increases as gross disposable income per capita increases.  

86   See https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/tps00214__custom_10724844/default/table. 
87   ‘PPS is the technical term used by Eurostat for the common currency in which national accounts aggregates 
are expressed when adjusted for price level differences using PPPs’. Since price differences across borders 
mean that different amounts of euros are needed, for the same goods and services, depending on the 
country, the unit of account has to be adjusted for the comparison across countries. See Eurostat: 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-
explained/index.php?title=Glossary:Purchasing_power_standard_(PPS). 

217 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Further analysis by Member State reveals that long-term care expenditure increases at a 
higher  rate  than  income.  As  a  result,  the  proportion  of  income  spent  on  long-term  care 
increases. This is known as Engel’s Law. The proportion of income spent on food decreases 
as income increases, while the proportion of income spent on certain services increases as 
income increases.  

To  summarise,  the  share  of  expenditure  on  long-term  care  increases  as  the  economy 
grows. In countries with low incomes, the choice between necessities and long-term care 
might be more difficult to reconcile compared to higher income countries. In low-income 
countries,  traditional  caregiving  arrangements  (informal  care)  might  prevail  –  with  a 
notably negative impact on women’s labour participation. Consequently, in poor countries, 
the creation and financing of a network of professional long-term care services might be a 
priority, while higher income countries might focus on diversification, efficiency, and the 
quality of professional long-term care services. A uniform policy at EU level might increase 
inequalities across Member States. 

A multiple regression analysis, testing the relationship between long-term care expenditure 
as  a  percentage  of  (GDP)  (dependent  variable)  and  the  independent / explanatory 
variables (gross disposable income of households per capita and share of the population 
aged 65 and over), reveals that disposable income is the dominant factor. In fact, countries 
with higher shares of older people have relatively low expenditure as a percentage of GDP 
(e.g. Greece and Portugal). 

13.4 Statistical tables 

Table 112: Percentage of persons with difficulties in self-care by degree and 
Member State, aged 16+ 
Persons living in private households. 

Age 16+ 

Moderate or severe 

Moderate 

Severe 

None 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

4.8 

5.2 

6.9 

5.7 

6.6 

: 

6.5 

7.6 

8.0 

6.9 

6.6 

5.0 

6.0 

5.0 

4.3 

7.3 

8.6 

3.0 

9.0 

3.2 

7.8 

7.1 

1.7 

1.8 

1.4 

2.0 

1.8 

: 

1.1 

2.2 

2.4 

2.6 

1.3 

1.6 

1.7 

1.5 

1.3 

2.1 

1.9 

0.7 

2.6 

0.9 

1.4 

2.0 

95.2 

94.8 

93.1 

94.3 

93.4 

: 

93.5 

92.4 

92.0 

93.1 

93.4 

95.0 

94.0 

95.0 

95.7 

92.7 

91.4 

97.0 

91.0 

96.8 

92.2 

92.9 

3.0 

3.4 

5.5 

3.7 

4.8 

: 

5.4 

5.4 

5.6 

4.3 

5.3 

3.4 

4.3 

3.6 

3.0 

5.2 

6.7 

2.4 

6.4 

2.3 

6.4 

5.1 

218 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Moderate or severe 

Moderate 

Severe 

None 

Age 16+ 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

EU 

6.3 

8.9 

5.3 

4.2 

8.1 

6.7 

3.4 

7.6 

3.7 

2.7 

6.3 

4.7 

2.8 

1.3 

1.6 

1.4 

1.8 

2.0 

93.7 

91.1 

94.7 

95.8 

91.9 

93.3 

Note: Data for Germany are of low reliability. 
Data source: Eurostat, 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ilc_hch19$dv_2264/default/table?lang=en&categ
ory=dsb.dsb_p.dsb_pba. Data extracted on 27 July 2024 from [ESTAT]. 

Table 113: Percentage of persons with difficulties in personal care and/or 
household activities declaring a lack of / enough assistance with these 
activities 
1. Lack of assistance 2. Get enough assistance 3. No need for assistance 

Age 55+ 

Lack 

Enough 

20.9 

53.2 

No 
need 
25.9 

Total 

Lack 

Enough 

100 

21.6 

56.3 

Age 65+ 

No 
need 
22.1 

Total 

Lack 

21.6 

100 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

: 

50.9 

23.1 

18.4 

30.6 

25.2 

54.6 

30.4 

38.2 

41.3 

25.1 

55.9 

28.5 

31.2 

27.8 

21.0 

41.0 

15.6 

MT 

35.6 

NL 

PL 

PT 

13.3 

27.4 

28.2 

RO 

50.9 

SE 

SI 

SK 

29.2 

26.5 

34.0 

: 

23.5 

50.2 

17.1 

36.9 

23.8 

41.1 

55.6 

46.5 

18.2 

41.0 

24.8 

19.1 

34.4 

37.5 

56.9 

24.0 

53.3 

14.3 

40.2 

24.2 

38.3 

30.7 

33.3 

39.1 

41.6 

: 

25.6 

26.6 

64.6 

32.5 

51.0 

4.4 

14.0 

15.4 

40.5 

33.9 

19.4 

52.4 

34.4 

34.7 

22.2 

35.0 

31.1 

50.1 

46.5 

48.4 

33.5 

18.4 

37.5 

34.5 

24.4 

: 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

: 

52.8 

24.0 

20.5 

31.9 

27.5 

55.6 

31.0 

39.8 

45.0 

27.3 

58.7 

30.7 

32.5 

29.5 

24.0 

44.1 

16.8 

39.9 

14.3 

30.5 

29.2 

54.5 

30.4 

30.0 

37.7 

219 

: 

23.6 

53.0 

18.9 

40.2 

25.3 

40.3 

57.5 

46.2 

19.6 

40.9 

24.2 

21.5 

34.8 

38.4 

57.3 

27.6 

52.7 

14.3 

43.7 

26.0 

40.6 

29.7 

35.8 

43.2 

41.2 

: 

23.6 

22.9 

60.6 

27.9 

47.1 

4.0 

11.4 

14.0 

35.4 

31.8 

17.1 

47.8 

32.7 

32.0 

18.7 

28.3 

30.5 

45.8 

42.0 

43.5 

30.1 

15.8 

33.8 

26.8 

21.2 

: 

52.8 

24.0 

20.5 

31.9 

27.5 

55.6 

31.0 

39.8 

45.0 

27.3 

58.7 

30.7 

32.5 

29.5 

24.0 

44.1 

16.8 

39.9 

14.3 

30.5 

29.2 

54.5 

30.4 

30.0 

37.7 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Age 55+ 

Lack 

Enough 

EU 

30.4 

35.5 

No 
need 
34.1 

Total 

Lack 

Enough 

100 

32.5 

37.0 

Age 65+ 

No 
need 
30.5 

Total 

Lack 

32.5 

100 

IS 

24.9 

NO 

28.7 

49.8 

48.6 

25.3 

22.7 

100 

100 

21.8 

28.6 

52.5 

49.8 

25.6 

21.5 

21.8 

28.6 

100 

100 

Note: Data for Belgium are incomplete. 
Data source: Eurostat. Data extracted on 9 April 2024 from [ESTAT]. 

Table 114: Long-term care expenditure and income, EU, 2021 

Long-term care expenditure 

Income 

Expenditure per 
inhabitant; 
euros adjusted (in PPS) 
610 

Percentage of gross 
domestic product 
(GDP) 
1.59 

Gross disposable income of 
households per capita; 
euros adjusted (in PPS) 
28 425 

893 

55 

89 

379 

991 

850 

193 

31 

247 

598 

667 

47 

72 

815 

275 

155 

767 

76 

570 

1 257 

141 

121 

84 

1 056 

291 

7 

571 

2.34 

0.28 

0.30 

1.20 

2.47 

2.09 

0.69 

0.15 

0.95 

1.71 

1.95 

0.21 

0.29 

1.39 

0.91 

0.52 

1.04 

0.33 

1.73 

3.05 

0.52 

0.51 

0.33 

2.82 

1.03 

0.03 

28 227 

: 

22 669 

21 378 

30 453 

25 571 

18 375 

16 256 

20 478 

25 921 

27 400 

16 138 

17 091 

22 300 

23 609 

22 091 

35 186 

16 929 

: 

28 265 

18 237 

19 717 

: 

25 792 

21 062 

16 308 

1.74 

24 266 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

EU 

Data source: Eurostat. Data extracted on 5 April 2024 from [ESTAT]. 

220 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

14  Life satisfaction 

14.1 Definitions 

The  EU-SILC  survey  presents  information  on  overall  life  satisfaction.  The  suggested 
question (PW010) is ‘Overall, how satisfied are you with your life these days? Please answer 
on  a  scale  of  0  to  10,  where  “0”  means  not  at  all  satisfied  and  “10”  means  completely 
satisfied’. 

Critics  might  question  the  informative  value  provided  by  the  answers.  Interviewees  are 
invited to assess  overall life satisfaction, a very subjective issue, and  give  a  score. This 
score may not be considered as an ordinary number. A person providing a score of ‘8’ is 
not twice as satisfied as a person declaring ‘4’. At best, the score might indicate an ordering 
of  certain  underlying  latent  situations.  Another  question  is  whether  the  scores  follow  a 
natural ranking scheme in a situation where the scale is highly subjective. 

An analysis indicates that the scores follow a natural ordering and are  distinguishable.88 
However, ‘0’ and ‘1’ could be merged, and ‘9’ and ‘10’ are very close. 

As  indicated  above,  the  scores  are  subjective  and  we  cannot  ensure  that  the  latent 
thresholds used to attribute a score are similar across socio-economic groups.89 However, 
if  we  compare  women  and  men  with  severe  disabilities,  we  find  very  close  results, 
indicating that a comparison by gender can be made without reservations for this group. 

14.2 Analysis at the EU level 

At EU level in 2023, and for persons aged 16 and over, the average score for persons with 
disabilities is 6.5, and for persons without disabilities it is 7.6. The overall score is 7.3. 

Considering  that  satisfaction  levels  may  be  influenced  by  age,  we  present  below  the 
average score by age. Note that the gap varies across ages. The smoothed difference is 
about 1.32 points for the 20–24 age group; it is 1.14 points for the 40–44 age group and 
1.07 points for the 70–74 age group. 

In summary, the figures below reveal that the score varies with age and that the presence 
of disability is associated with a lower score at all ages. 

Factors  like  gender  (being  female),  education  and  income  increase  the  score.  On  the 
contrary, being a migrant, not married, living alone, being in severe material deprivation, 
and  being  in  bad  health  are  conditions  associated  with  lower  satisfaction  scores.90  It  is 
similar for disability, keeping everything else constant. 

The positive impact of education is lower for persons with disabilities compared to persons 
without  disabilities.  Education  might  function  as  a  proxy  for  lifestyles  and  general 
achievements related to education. These expectations are fulfilled to a lesser extent for 
persons with disabilities. In addition, bad health exerts a much stronger negative impact 
for persons with disabilities than for persons without disabilities. A similar impact is true 
for living alone. 

88   We have used stereotype regressions. The dependent variable was the life satisfaction score and the 

predictor variables were personal characteristics (gender, age) and socio-economic factors (education, 
marital status, economic situation, material deprivation, income, health, disability and country dummies). 
For a description of the method, see STATA, https://www.stata.com/meeting/7uk/lunt2.pdf. 

89   In the stereotype regressions, the thresholds (Φ - Phi) for persons with and without disabilities present 

some small differences. However, they are very close if we compare by gender, notably for persons with 
severe disabilities. 

90   We have run stereotype and OLS regressions. We reported only results which are significant at the 5 % 

level. Data available on request. 

221 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 115: Overall life satisfaction by disability status, persons aged 16+, EU, 
2023  

The quadratic fit expresses life satisfaction score as a function of age and age squared, including a 
constant. 
Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

From another perspective, we  can say that about 10.3 % of persons  without disabilities 
declare a score of 5 or less. This percentage is 29 % for persons with disabilities.  

222 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 116: Distribution of overall life satisfaction scores, persons aged 16+, EU 
27, 2023 
The total distribution for each group is equal to 100. 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

14.3 Analysis by Member State 

In the following figure, we present the overall life satisfaction score by disability status and 
Member State.  

For  persons  with  disabilities,  Bulgaria  presents  the  lowest  score  (4.6  points),  while 
Germany and Croatia are below 6.0 points. 

At  EU  level,  there  is  a  disability  gap  of  1.1  points  between  persons  with  and  without 
disabilities. Note that Poland (0.7 points), the Netherlands (0.8 points) and Finland (0.9 
points) present the lowest gaps. On the other hand, Bulgaria (1.5 points), Germany (1.6 
points) and Croatia (1.7 points) present the highest gaps. 

Figure 117: Overall life satisfaction by disability status and Member State, 
persons aged 16+, EU, 2023  

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

223 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

14.4 Analysis by degree of disability 

Overall  life  satisfaction  decreases  as  the  degree  of  disability  increases.  The  score  is 
7.6 points for persons without disabilities, 6.8 points for persons with moderate disabilities 
and 5.6 points for persons with severe disabilities. Furthermore, the score for persons with 
severe disabilities receiving a disability benefit is about 5.3 points. 

From another perspective, we  can say that about 10.3 % of persons  without disabilities 
report  a  score  of  5  or  lower.  This  percentage  is  22.9 %  for  persons  with  moderate 
disabilities and 46.7 % for persons with severe disabilities.  

Figure 118: Distribution of overall life satisfaction scores, persons aged 16+, EU 
27, 2023 
The total distribution for each group is equal to 100. 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

14.5 Statistical annex 

Table 115: Overall life satisfaction by disability status and Member State, 
persons aged 16+, EU, 2023 

Persons with disabilities 

Persons without disabilities 

Gap 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

7.0 

6.9 

4.6 

6.4 

6.4 

5.9 

6.6 

6.4 

6.1 

6.4 

7.1 

6.4 

5.9 

6.2 

6.7 

6.5 

8.0 

7.9 

6.1 

7.8 

7.7 

7.5 

8.0 

7.6 

7.1 

7.6 

8.0 

7.5 

7.6 

7.5 

7.8 

7.4 

224 

1.0 

1.0 

1.5 

1.4 

1.3 

1.6 

1.4 

1.2 

1.0 

1.2 

0.9 

1.1 

1.7 

1.3 

1.1 

1.0 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Persons with disabilities 

Persons without disabilities 

Gap 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

EU 

6.2 

6.2 

6.2 

6.6 

7.1 

7.1 

6.4 

7.1 

6.3 

6.9 

6.5 

6.5 

7.6 

7.4 

7.4 

7.5 

7.9 

7.8 

7.4 

8.0 

7.8 

8.0 

7.6 

7.6 

1.3 

1.2 

1.2 

0.9 

0.8 

0.7 

1.0 

0.9 

1.5 

1.1 

1.1 

1.1 

Data source: EU-SILC 2023 release 2024, version 1 (autumn release). 

225 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Annex I: Metadata  

1. 

Prevalence of disability 

Methodology 

The  European  Statistics  on  Income  and  Living  Condition  (EU-SILC)  survey91  contains  a 
small module on health, consisting of three variables on health status and four variables 
on unmet needs for healthcare. 

The variables on health status represent the so-called Minimum European Health Module 
(MEHM), which measures three different concepts of health: 

- 
- 
- 

self-perceived health; 
chronic morbidity (people having a longstanding illness or health problem); and 
activity  limitation  –  disability  (self-perceived  longstanding  limitations  in  usual 
activities due to health problems). 

Since 2021 
From  2021  onwards,  the  EU-SILC  question  (question  PH030)  was  slightly  modified.  The 
question on duration has been isolated and clearly stated.  

The new question is: question 1: ‘Are you limited because of a health problem in activities 
people usually do?’ 

‘Would you say you are… severely limited. Limited but not severely. Or not limited at all?’  

If the answer to question 1 is ‘severely limited’  or ‘limited but not severely’, question 2 
asks: ‘Have you been limited for at least the past 6 months? Yes. No’. 

Before 2021 
The data on limitation in activities due to health problems refer to the  self-evaluation by 
the respondents of the extent to which they are limited in activities that people usually do 
because  of  health  problems  for  at  least  the  past  six  months.  The  exact  question  is: 
‘Limitation in activities people usually do because of health problems for at least the last 6 
months’, and possible answers are: 

- 
- 
- 

yes, strongly limited; 
yes, limited; 
no, not limited.’ 

The  survey  covers  all  individuals  aged  16  years  and  over  living  in  private  households. 
Persons living in collective households and in institutions are, generally, excluded from the 
target population. It includes persons aged 16 and over living in private households. 

Information concerning health and limitations is not collected for all persons in all countries. 
In  Denmark,  Finland,  Iceland,  the  Netherlands,  Norway,  Sweden  and  Slovenia,  the 
questions relating to health and limitations are put to selected respondents rather than to 
all  current  household  members  aged  16  and  over.  The  item  non-response  concerning 
limitations and other characteristics of the sample is presented in an annex at the end of 
this report. 

From 2014 onwards, the survey distinguishes between: 1) Face-to-face interview-PAPI; 2) 
Face-to-face  interview-CAPI;  3)  CATI  telephone  interview;  4)  Self-administered  by 

91   Eurostat, Methodological Guidelines and Description of EU-SILC Target Variables – 2018 operation (Version 

July 2019), DocSILC065 (2018 operation), Directorate F: Social Statistics, Unit F-4: Quality of life, 
https://circabc.europa.eu/sd/a/e9a5d1ad-f5c7-4b80-bdc9-
1ce34ec828eb/DOCSILC065%20operation%202018_V5.pdf. 

226 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

respondent; 5) Computer assisted web interviewing-CAWI; 6) Face-to-face interview-PAPI 
with proxy; 7) Face-to-face interview-CAPI with proxy; 8) CATI telephone interview with 
proxy;  9)  Self-administered  by  respondent  with  proxy;  and  10)  Computer  assisted  web 
interviewing-CAWI with proxy. In the EU-SILC, legal basis priority is given to face-to-face 
personal interviews (PAPI or CAPI) over other modes of data collection. 

For  estimates  concerning  health  issues  in  Denmark,  Finland,  the  Netherlands,  Sweden, 
Slovenia, Iceland and Norway, the author has used personal cross-sectional weighting for 
selected  persons  (pb060).  Otherwise,  the  author  has  used  personal  cross-sectional 
weighting (pb040). 

The author has used ‘age at the date of interview’ for indicators concerning the prevalence 
rate, the labour market and educational issues. The author has used ‘age at the end of the 
income  reference’  period  for  income-related  indicators,  as  well  as  for  labour  intensity. 
However, for Malta, the author has only ‘age at the end of the income reference’. The data 
for Malta are grouped into five-year intervals. 

Notes 

EU-SILC  estimates  may  underestimate  the  number  of  persons  with  disabilities.  In  fact, 
persons living in collective households and in institutions are generally excluded from the 
sample. This underestimate might be marginal for persons aged 16–64 but significant for 
persons aged 65 or over. 

The  estimates  included  here  may  present  marginal  differences  from  previous  reports  or 
from Eurostat estimates. This is due to changes between different versions of the microdata 
delivered  by  Eurostat  (spring  version,  autumn  version  and  subsequent  updates  for  a 
specific year). 

Comparison between LFS and EU-SILC 

As noted, the GALI indicator must be included in all EU social microdata collections. For 
the LFS survey, this indicator is included every two years in even years (2022, 2024, etc.). 
The LFS is the largest EU survey. 

The model question is the same for the EU-SILC and the LFS surveys, but sample selection 
differs between the two surveys. In the LFS, there should be a minimum sample overlap 
of 20 % between the same quarters in consecutive years and of 50 % between consecutive 
quarters.92 The EU-SILC collects both cross-sectional and longitudinal data. Each year, one 
sub-sample  (replication)  rotates  out  and  a  new  one  is  drawn  as  a  substitute.  From  the 
second year onwards, at the start of each new year one replication must be introduced and 
retained for four years.93 

Another important difference concerns the data collection period. The LFS is a continuous 
quarterly  survey,  providing  annual  averages,  while  the  EU-SILC  takes  place  at  a  fixed 
period,  usually  the  first  six  months,  although  this  differs  across  Member  States.  The 
seasonality  impact  is  well-known  in  employment  statistics,  but  little  is  known  about  its 
impact on disability prevalence. There is some indication that there is a seasonality impact 
on disability prevalence in the EU-SILC data, after correction for gender, age, education, 
etc. 

92   Eurostat, Statistics Explained, EU Labour Force Survey – new methodology from 2021 onwards; see: 

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=EU_Labour_Force_Survey_-
_new_methodology_from_2021_onwards.  

93   Eurostat, 2022, Methodological Guidelines and Description of EU-SILC Target Variables, 2022 operation 
(Version 4), DocSILC065 (2022 operation), Directorate F: Social Statistics, Unit F-4: Quality of life. See: 
https://circabc.europa.eu/d/a/workspace/SpacesStore/94141a49-a4a7-48bc-89f7-
df858c27d016/Methodological%20guidelines%202022%20operation%20v4.pdf. 

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Differences between the LFS and other social surveys have been found. For example, for 
education, significant differences were found between the Adult Education Survey (AES) 
and  the  LFS  survey.  Eurostat94  has  presented  a  certain  number  of  elements  that  might 
explain  these  differences.  Similar  arguments  could  be  put  forward  in  our  case.  We  may 
retain  different  survey  purposes,  interviewer  training  and  methodological  differences 
between the surveys. 

The  EU-SILC  microdata  indicate  that  there  is  an  urban-rural  difference  in  disability 
prevalence  in  raw  data.  However,  this  difference  disappears  if  we  consider  other 
characteristics  (age,  education,  etc.).  Since  both  samples  are  representative  of  the 
population, we ought not to expect significant differences, notably from sample selection 
mode, sampling unit, or data collection mode. 

Note that the LFS 2022 provided a systematically lower estimation compared to the EU-
SILC  2022  estimations.  In  fact,  with  the  exception  of  Finland,  where  the  difference  is 
minimal, the percentage reported by the EU-SILC is higher than that reported by the LFS 
in all Member States. 

We note that there is a structural relationship between the two surveys. In fact, there is a 
significant  correlation  (R²=0.65)  between  the  national  disability  prevalence  rates, 
indicating that there is a common base behind the two series.  

This  might  mean  that  some  basic  structural  characteristics  might  explain  differences 
between the LFS and EU-SILC, rather than between sampling methodologies. 

While the GALI indicator is included in both surveys, there are important differences in the 
sequence of questions. In fact, the EU-SILC survey asks first (1) what the self-perceived 
general health is; secondly (2) if the person suffers from any chronic (long-standing) illness 
or condition; and finally (3) about any limitations in activities because of health problems. 
In the LFS survey, only two out of the three MEHM variables are collected: (1) the variables 
on self-perceived general health; and (2) those on limitation in activities because of health 
problems.95 

The question  on long-standing health problems is not part  of the LFS. This  restricts the 
horizon of the LFS interviewee, who focuses on labour issues. In fact, if the interviewee 
has a chronic illness which has an impact on activities in everyday life, he/she might not 
report this in the LFS survey if these limitations are not severe or if they do not affect work 
activities. Past LFS surveys (2011) indicate that the prevalence of work-related disabilities 
is lower than for more general concepts. 

We may advance that the above hypothesis implies that the threshold over which a person 
will declare a disability in the LFS, is systematically higher compared to the EU-SILC or at 
least, that the array of activities considered in the EU-SILC is smaller compared to the LFS. 
There is some statistical evidence that the interviewers do not use the same thresholds in 
assessing disability.96 

94   Eurostat, 2024, Information note: Participation in education and training during the last 12 months – 

differences between data available from two sources Adult education survey (AES) vs EU Labour Force 
Survey (EU-LFS), Eurostat – Unit F.3: Labour market and lifelong learning, 2024. 

95   This part draws on an ongoing study on ‘Comparability of disability data across the EU’ funded by the 

European Parliament (reference: Service order No IP/A/EMPL/IC/2024-031). 

96   We have run stereotype logistic regressions. The estimated thresholds (Φ) have been presented in previous 

EDE reports. For the methodology see https://www.stata.com/manuals/rslogit.pdf. 

228 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 116: Percentage of persons with disabilities by Member State, age: 15+, 
2022 (LFS) 
The data include only persons living in private households. 
The data are derived from the LFS survey. 

In percentages (%) 

Persons 
without disabilities 

Persons 
with disabilities 

15+ 

Total 

Severe 

Moderate 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

EU 

74.9 

82.9 

94.3 

84.7 

81.3 

73.9 

73.6 

74.1 

88.2 

84.3 

66.1 

78.1 

79.3 

84.4 

84.6 

80.3 

77.3 

75.8 

85.0 

69.9 

86.5 

76.3 

81.7 

84.7 

85.2 

79.1 

25.1 

17.1 

5.7 

15.3 

18.7 

26.1 

26.4 

25.9 

11.8 

15.7 

33.9 

21.9 

20.7 

15.6 

15.4 

19.7 

22.8 

24.2 

15.0 

30.1 

13.5 

23.7 

18.3 

15.3 

14.8 

20.9 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

17.5 

10.1 

3.9 

8.3 

13.9 

18.5 

21.3 

16.4 

8.7 

9.7 

27.0 

13.5 

14.4 

12.2 

10.1 

16.2 

17.3 

17.3 

12.2 

24.2 

9.4 

18.4 

14.7 

12.4 

10.0 

13.6 

7.6 

7.0 

1.8 

7.0 

4.8 

7.6 

5.0 

9.5 

3.1 

6.0 

7.0 

8.5 

6.3 

3.4 

5.3 

3.6 

5.5 

6.9 

2.9 

6.0 

4.1 

5.3 

3.6 

2.9 

4.8 

7.3 

80.5 

19.5 

100 

13.5 

6.0 

Note: Data for IE are missing. 
Data source: LFS 2022. 

Table 117: Percentage of persons with disabilities by age group, EU, 2022 

15-24 

25-34 

35-44 

45-54 

55-64 

65-74 

LFS 

EU-SILC 

5.1 

8.8 

7.1 

11.3 

9.6 

14.7 

15.0 

21.5 

25.2 

32.6 

31.7 

42.9 

75+ 

51.4 

63.5 

Data source: LFS 2022 and EU-SILC UDB 2022. 

229 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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2. 

Early school leavers 

Methodology 

The  Europe  2030  indicator  refers  to  the  population  aged  18–24  with  ‘at  most’  lower 
secondary  education  and  who  were  not  in  further  education  or  training  during  the  four 
weeks preceding the survey.  

Eurostat publishes,  on its webpage, the percentage  of early leavers  from  education and 
training. Eurostat uses the results of the LFS (Labour Force Survey). This indicator is based 
on annual averages of quarterly data. 

The classification to be used for this variable is the International ‘Standard Classification 
of Education’ (ISCED 2011), which includes nine categories for educational attainment:  

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

ISCED 0: Early childhood education (‘less than primary’). 
ISCED 1: Primary education. 
ISCED 2: Lower secondary education. 
ISCED 3: Upper secondary education. 
ISCED 4: Post-secondary non-tertiary education. 
ISCED 5: Short-cycle tertiary education. 
ISCED 6: Bachelor’s or equivalent level. 
ISCED 7: Master’s or equivalent level. 
ISCED 8: Doctoral or equivalent level. 

Early leavers from education are those who have attained level ‘0’, ‘1’ or ‘2’ and are not 
currently participating in an educational activity. The EU-SILC survey collects information 
on ‘Current education activity’ (whether the person is ‘In education’ or ‘Not in education’). 

The  methodology  is  described  in  Eurostat,  Methodological  Guidelines  and  Description  of 
EU-SILC  Target  Variables  –  2014  operation  (Version  October  2014).  DocSILC065  (2014 
operation). Directorate F: Social Statistics. Unit F-4: Quality of life. 

For estimates distinguishing between ‘limited’ and ‘not limited’ people in Denmark, Finland, 
the  Netherlands,  Sweden  and  Slovenia,  the  author  has  used  personal  cross-sectional 
weightings  for  selected  persons  (pb060).  This  holds  true  for  Iceland  and  Norway,  too. 
Otherwise, the author has used personal cross-sectional weightings (pb040). 

Notes 

Analysis by Member State and by gender presents a certain number of statistical problems, 
due to the small number of observations. Consequently, estimates for the 18–24 age group 
should be treated with caution.  

To increase the robustness of estimates, the author has used the average of several years. 

EU-SILC survey estimates cannot be compared with administrative data.  

3. 

Young people neither in education nor in employment and training (NEET) 

Methodology 

Share of the population aged 15 to 29 who are neither in education nor in employment and 
training. However. the EU-SILC covers persons aged 16 and over. 

The EU-SILC survey provides information on self-defined current economic status. 

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Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

From 2021 operation onwards (PL032): 

1.   Employed. 
2.   Unemployed. 
3.   Retired. 
4.   Unable to work due to long-standing health problems. 
5.   Student, pupil. 
6.   Fulfilling domestic tasks. 
7.   Compulsory military or civilian service. 
8.   Other. 

Notes 

The author has included persons in ‘compulsory military or community service’ in the group 
of persons in employment or education. However, this group is marginal, comprising about 
0.07 % of the relevant sample. 

4. 

Persons who have completed a tertiary or equivalent education  

Methodology 

The Europe 2030 indicator covers persons aged 25 to 34. 
The Europe 2020 indicator covered the 30–34 age group. 

Eurostat  presents  an  indicator  based  on  the  Labour  Force  Survey  (LFS).  The  data  are 
derived  as  annual  averages  based  on  quarterly  EU-LFS  survey  data.  The  EU-SILC  data 
present the situation at a specific date of the year. 

Tertiary education covers ISCED 2011 levels 5, 6, 7 and 8. 

The  educational  attainment  level  of  an  individual  is  the  highest  ISCED  (International 
Standard  Classification  of  Education)  level  successfully  completed,  with  successful 
completion of an education programme being validated by a recognised qualification. 
The classification to be used for this variable is the International ‘Standard Classification 
of Education (ISCED 2011), which includes nine categories for educational attainment’:  

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

ISCED 0: Early childhood education (‘less than primary’). 
ISCED 1: Primary education. 
ISCED 2: Lower secondary education. 
ISCED 3: Upper secondary education. 
ISCED 4: Post-secondary non-tertiary education. 
ISCED 5: Short-cycle tertiary education. 
ISCED 6: Bachelor’s or equivalent level. 
ISCED 7: Master’s or equivalent level. 
ISCED 8: Doctoral or equivalent level. 

The  methodology  is  described  in  Eurostat:  Methodological  Guidelines  and  Description  of 
EU-SILC  Target  Variables  –  2014  operation  (Version  October  2014).  DocSILC065  (2014 
operation). Directorate F: Social Statistics. Unit F-4: Quality of life. 

For  estimations distinguishing  ‘limited’ and ‘not limited’ people in Denmark, Finland, the 
Netherlands,  Sweden  and  Slovenia,  the  author  has  used  personal  cross-sectional 
weightings for selected persons (pb060). This holds true for Iceland and Norway, too. 

Notes 

There  is  very  wide  variability  in  the  percentage  of  persons  with  a  ‘post-secondary  non-
tertiary  education’  (level  4).  This  category  has  an  impact  on  Austrian  and  German 
estimates.  

231 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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EU-SILC  estimates  may  overestimate  the  percentage  of  people  who  have  completed  a 
tertiary education. Persons living in collective households and in institutions are generally 
excluded from the sample. 

The data concerning persons with disabilities  are indicative, due to the  small number  of 
persons with disabilities in the sample, notably in the 30–34 age group. 

5. 

Employment rate  

Methodology 

Since 2021 
In  2021,  the  question  on  self-assessed  economic  status  was  slightly  modified  and  this 
might have an impact on the answers. 
From 2021 operation onwards (PL032): 

Employed. 
Unemployed. 
Retired. 
Unable to work due to longstanding health problems. 
Student, pupil. 
Fulfilling domestic tasks. 
Compulsory military or civilian service. 

1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 
6. 
7. 
8.  Other. 

Before 2021 
The  EU-SILC  question  (PL031)  on  ‘Self-defined  current  economic  status’  provides  the 
following possible answers (since 2009): 

Employee working full-time. 
1. 
Employee working part-time. 
2. 
Self-employed working full-time (including family worker). 
3. 
Self-employed working part-time (including family worker). 
4. 
Unemployed. 
5. 
Pupil, student, further training, unpaid work experience. 
6. 
In retirement or in early retirement or has given up business. 
7. 
Permanently ‘disabled’ or/and unfit to work. 
8. 
9. 
In compulsory military community or service. 
10.  Fulfilling domestic tasks and care responsibilities. 
11.  Other inactive person. 

The employment indicator includes: 1. Employee working full-time; 2. Employee working 
part-time; 3. Self-employed working full-time; and 4. Self-employed working part-time.  

The employment rate is calculated by dividing the number of persons in employment by 
the total population of the same age group. The EU 2020 indicator includes persons aged 
20–64.  

For comparison, the LFS survey uses the ILO definition and asks for labour status during 
the reference week. The employed population consists of those persons who, during the 
reference week, did any work for pay or profit for at least one hour, or were not working 
but had jobs from which they were temporarily absent.  

For  data  distinguishing  ‘limited’  and  ‘not  limited’  persons  in  Denmark,  Finland,  the 
Netherlands,  Sweden  and  Slovenia,  the  author  has  used  personal  cross-sectional 
weightings  for  selected  persons  (pb060).  This  holds  for  Iceland  and  Norway,  too. 
Otherwise, the author has used personal cross-sectional weightings (pb040). 

232 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Notes 

EU-SILC  estimates  may  overestimate  the  percentage  of  people  with  disabilities  in 
employment.  Persons  living  in  collective  households  and  in  institutions  are  generally 
excluded from the sample. 

For  the  analysis  of  the  disability  employment  gap,  we  can  use  either  question  PL032 
(PL031) on self-defined current economic status or question PX050  on activity status (a 
mean like indicator for past income period). Eurostat uses the EU-SILC PX050 question for 
data published on its webpage. 

6.  Unemployment rate 

Methodology 

Unemployment rate 
The  unemployment  rate  represents  unemployed  persons  as  a  percentage  of  the  labour 
force. The labour force is the total number of people employed and unemployed. 

Since 2021 
In  2021,  the  question  on  self-assessed  economic  status  was  slightly  modified  and  this 
might have impacted the answers. 

From 2021 operation onwards (PL032): 

Employed. 
Unemployed. 
Retired. 
Unable to work due to long-standing health problems. 
Student, pupil. 
Fulfilling domestic tasks. 
Compulsory military or civilian service. 

1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 
6. 
7. 
8.  Other. 

Before 2021 
EU-SILC  2009  onwards  included  a  question  (PL031)  on  ‘Self-defined  current  economic 
status’. The possible answers were: 

Employee working full-time. 
1. 
Employee working part-time. 
2. 
Self-employed working full-time (including family worker). 
3. 
Self-employed working part-time (including family worker). 
4. 
Unemployed. 
5. 
Pupil, student, further training, unpaid work experience. 
6. 
In retirement or in early retirement or has given up business. 
7. 
Permanently ‘disabled’ or/and unfit to work. 
8. 
In compulsory military community or service. 
9. 
10.  Fulfilling domestic tasks and care responsibilities. 
11.  Other inactive person. 

For  estimations distinguishing  ‘limited’ and ‘not limited’ people in Denmark, Finland, the 
Netherlands,  Sweden  and  Slovenia,  the  author  has  used  personal  cross-sectional 
weightings  for  selected  persons  (pb060).  This  holds  true  for  Iceland  and  Norway,  too. 
Otherwise, the author has used personal cross-sectional weightings (pb040). 

Long-term unemployment (since 2021) 
Following  the  modifications  brought  into  the  EU-SILC  2021  survey,  the  EU-SILC  reports 
the duration of the most recent unemployment spell (PL271). 

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The question covers persons aged 16 to 74 years old. According to Eurostat (2021), the 
variable should capture the duration of respondent’s most recent  spell of unemployment 
during the last five years from the date of the interview. 

If the person is currently unemployed, then the most recent spell of unemployment refers 
to the current one. 

These  estimations  are  not  comparable  with  long-term  unemployment  rates  of  previous 
years. 

Notes 

The data here may be slightly different from those presented by Eurostat on its web page.97 
Indeed, Eurostat presents estimates using the results of the Labour Force Surveys (LFS).  

The author uses the EU-SILC UDB microdata on self-declarations. The ILO definition does 
not include those who are not actively searching for a job.  

7.  Activity rate 

Methodology 

The  total  population  is  divided  into  ‘economically  active  population’  and  ‘inactive 
population’.  The  economically  active  population  includes  those  who  are  employed  and 
those who are unemployed. An active person is a person who is economically active in the 
labour market.  

The activity rate is the ratio of economically active people in the labour market (employed 
or unemployed) to the total population of the same age group. 

A  new  classification  of  self-declared  economic  status  was  adopted  in  2021  (see 
Employment). 

For  estimations distinguishing  ‘limited’ and ‘not limited’ people in Denmark, Finland, the 
Netherlands,  Sweden  and  Slovenia,  the  author  has  used  personal  cross-sectional 
weightings  for  selected  persons  (pb060).  This  holds  true  for  Iceland  and  Norway,  too. 
Otherwise, the author has used personal cross-sectional weightings (pb040). 

Notes 

To  make  this  indicator  comparable  to  Europe  2030  indicators,  we  focus  on  people  aged 
20–64. However, estimations by age group follow the standard Eurostat age groups. 

The  number  of  persons  with  disabilities  in  the  16–24  age  group  is  relatively  small.  The 
estimates for this age group have only an indicative value.  

EU-SILC  estimates  might  overestimate  the  percentage  of  persons  with  disabilities  who 
participate in the labour force.  Persons living in collective households  and in institutions 
are generally excluded from the sample. 

97   See Eurostat https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/data/database. 

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Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

8.  Disability pay gap 

Methodology 

For  the  gender  pay  gap,  Eurostat  notes98  that  the  indicator  measures  the  difference 
between  average  gross  hourly  earnings  of  male  paid  employees  and  of  female  paid 
employees as a percentage of average gross hourly earnings of male paid employees. All 
employees working in firms with 10 or more employees, without restrictions on age and 
hours worked, are covered. The gender pay gap is based on the methodology of the SES, 
which is carried out every four years. 

Gender  pay  gap  =  [(average  gross  hourly  earnings  of  male  paid  employees  –  average 
gross hourly earnings of female paid employees) / average gross hourly earnings of male 
paid  employees]  expressed  in  %.  Average  earnings  used  for  the  gender  pay  gap  are 
calculated as arithmetic means. 

The indicator is not adjusted for different endowments. 

Proposed methodology for persons with disabilities 
The EU-SILC survey includes a question on persons with activity limitations. Consequently, 
it enables us to present the indicator for persons with and without disabilities. 

The EU-SILC does not provide information on wage rates. We have to make an estimation 
based  on  available  information:  annual  employee  income,  months  worked  and  hours 
worked  per  week.  For  comparability  reasons  with  the  gender  indicator,  we  retain  only  
employees in local units employing more than ten persons. 

Furthermore,  we  use  the  15–74  age  group  in  order  to  increase  the  sample  and  have 
comparable results with the gender pay gap.  

We  explain  below  the  methodology  used  to  estimate  wages,  months  worked  and  hours 
worked per week. 

The wage includes employee cash or near-cash income (PY010G) and non-cash employee 
income (PY020G) during the income reference period.  Gross  incomes  mean that neither 
taxes nor social contributions have been deducted at source. 

Employee income is defined as the total remuneration in cash or in kind, payable by an 
employer to an employee in return for work done by the latter during the income reference 
period.  Gross  non-cash  employee  income  refers  to  non-monetary  income  components 
which may be provided free or at reduced price to an employee as part of the employment 
package by an employer.  

The  author  standardises  (divides  by)  the  number  of  months  worked  during  the  income 
reference period and  the total number  of hours  currently  worked per  week.  We use the 
number of months spent as an employed person. If several economic statuses apply during 
a month, the person declares the main one. Total hours include the number of hours usually 
worked per week in their main job (PL060) and the total number of hours usually worked 
in a second, third or other job (PL100). The hours worked refer to the current situation. 

‘Employee’ refers to self-defined current economic status (PL032). Before 2021, the author 
included (PL031): 1) Employee working full-time; and 2) Employee working part-time. The 
variable captures the person’s own perception of their main activity at present. It differs 
from the ILO concept, to the extent that people’s own perception of their main status differs 
from  the  strict  definitions  used  in  the  ILO  definitions.  For  instance,  many  persons  who 

98   Eurostat, Gender pay gap in unadjusted form (sdg_05_20) ESMS Indicator Profile (ESMS-IP), 

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/metadata/en/sdg_05_20_esmsip2.htm. 

235 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

would  regard  themselves  as  full-time  students  or  homemakers  may  be  classified  as 
employed according to the ILO definition if they have a part-time job. 

We use persons working in units (PL130) employing more than 10 persons. This variable 
refers to the main job. However, this variable is not always included in the EU-SILC UDB 
microdata. 

When we adjust for age, we use the total EU age structure. The five-year age groups are 
preferred to the 10-year age groups for age adjustment. 

Note 

Previous ANED reports presented a disability pay gap for employed persons aged 20–64, 
age-adjusted, in firms employing 10 or more persons, without any standardisation by the 
number of months employed.  

If we use the EU-SILC data to estimate the gender pay gap, we obtain an estimate very 
close to the one based on the SES survey. 

9.  Very low work intensity 

Methodology 

Europe 2030 
People  aged  0–64  years  living  in  households  where  the  adults  (those  aged  18–64,  but 
excluding students aged 18–24 and people who are retired, according to their self-defined 
current economic status, or who receive any pension (except for a survivors’ pension), and 
people in the 60–64 age bracket who are inactive and living in a household where the main 
income is pensions) had a working time equal to or less than 20 % of their total combined 
work-time potential during the previous year. 

Europe 2020 
Persons aged 0–59 years living in households where the adults (aged 18–59, but excluding 
students aged 18–24) had a working time equal or less than 20 % of their total combined 
work-time potential during the previous year. 

The author summarises below the methodology adopted in the EU-SILC survey. 
A  working  age  person  is  a  person  aged  18–64.  For  each  working  age  person 
(Wage / person), two figures are computed:99 

- 

- 

the number of months during the income reference period for which information on 
his/her activity status is available (the ‘workable’ months: NWAm); and 
the number of months during the income reference period for which the person has 
been classified as worker (number of ‘worked’ months: NWm). 

A derived ‘AGE’ variable is constructed. This is the age at the end of the income reference 
period. 

In each household. EU-SILC UDB (User Data Base) calculates the derived variables: 

TNWm = 

TNWAm = 

99   Extract from Year 2009: Cross-sectional data; differences between data collected (as described in the 
guidelines) and anonymised user database; Eurostat, Directorate F: Social Statistics and Information 
Society, Unit F-3: Living Conditions and Social Protection. 

236 

membershouseholdNWmmembershouseholdNWAm 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

WI = 

  (WI: Work Intensity) 

Work intensity (RX040) is a continuous variable from 0 to 1 (people older than 59 have 
WORK_INT = 99). This is based on persons aged 18–59 (excluding students).  

The  same  work  intensity  status  is  assigned  to  each  household  member  (including  those 
younger than 18 years old). 

WI=0 means that no adult is working in the household (a jobless household). 
WI=1 means that all the adults in the household are employed during the whole year.  

People  living  in  households  with  very  low  work  intensity  are  those  living  in  households 
where the adults worked to less than 20 % of  their total  work potential during the past 
year. 

For  estimations distinguishing  ‘limited’ and ‘not limited’ people in Denmark, Finland, the 
Netherlands,  Sweden  and  Slovenia,  the  author  has  used  personal  cross-sectional 
weightings  for  selected  persons  (pb060).  This  holds  true  for  Iceland  and  Norway,  too. 
Otherwise, the author has used personal cross-sectional weightings (pb040). 

The author has used the age at the end of the income reference period (px020). 

Notes 

As the EU-SILC survey presents information on disability only for people aged 16 or older, 
the  author  presents  the  percentage  of  persons  with  and  without  disabilities  aged  16  to 
59 / 64.  

Work intensity in the household can be seen as an indicator of the employment rate of the 
household. However, factors other than unemployment may affect it.  

For more information, see https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-
explained/index.php?title=Living_conditions_in_Europe_-_work_intensity. 

10.  People at risk of poverty after social transfers (monetary poverty) 

Methodology 

A household is at risk of poverty (HX080=1) if equivalised household disposable income 
(HX090)  is  lower  than  60 %  of  the  median  national  household  equivalised  disposable 
income. The indicator refers to the household. 

The EU-SILC personal file provides information on disability, while the EU-SILC household 
file  provides  the  poverty  indicator.  By  combining  both  files,  the  author  estimates  the 
percentage  of  persons  (with  and  without  disabilities)  who  live  in  households  with  a 
household  equivalised  disposable  income  below  60 %  of  the  median  national  household 
equivalised disposable income. 

The  EU-SILC  UDB  database100  first  computes  gross  household  income.  This  includes  all 
sources of revenue (work, allowances, benefits, rents, profits, etc.) for a given household. 
It  then    subtracts  regular  taxes  on  wealth  and  tax  on  income  and  social  insurance 
contributions,  to  arrive  at  the  total  disposable  household  income.  It  considers  the 
household size, in order to arrive at the equivalised disposable income. It then calculates 
median  national  household  equivalised  disposable  income.  A  household  is  below  the 

100  For a full description, see Eurostat EU-SILC 065 (2008 operation), Description of Target Variables: Cross-
sectional and Longitudinal’ 2008 operation (Version January 2010), Directorate F: Social Statistics and 
Information Society Unit F-3: Living conditions and social protection statistics. 

237 

TNWAmTNWm 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

poverty level if its household equivalised disposable income is less than 60 % of the median 
national household equivalised disposable income. 

The EU-SILC survey also provides information on disability. Consequently, we can estimate 
the percentage of persons with disabilities who live in poor households.  

For  estimations distinguishing  ‘limited’ and ‘not limited’ people in Denmark, Finland, the 
Netherlands,  Sweden  and  Slovenia,  the  author  has  used  personal  cross-sectional 
weightings  for  selected  persons  (pb060).  This  holds  true  for  Iceland  and  Norway,  too. 
Otherwise, the author has used personal cross-sectional weightings (pb040). 

The author has used the age at the end of the income reference period (px020). 

Notes 

As noted above, special allowances aimed at compensating for disability-related barriers 
might artificially reduce poverty rates among older persons with disabilities. In addition, 
the indicator does not consider the extra health costs of older people. 

For more information, see 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/metadata/en/ilc_sieusilc.htm. 

11. 

 Severely materially and socially deprived persons 

Methodology 

Europe 2030 Strategy 
This indicator presents the share of the population with an enforced lack of at least 7 out 
of 13 deprivation items (7 related to the household and 6 related to the individual). These 
include: 

List of items at household level: 

1. 
2. 
3. 

4. 

5. 
6. 
7. 

Capacity to face unexpected expenses. 
Capacity to afford paying for a one-week annual holiday away from home. 
Capacity  to  avoid  being  confronted  with  payment  arrears  (on  mortgage  or  rental 
payments, utility bills, hire purchase instalments or other loan payments). 
Capacity  to  afford  a  meal  with  meat,  chicken,  fish  or  vegetarian  equivalent  every 
second day. 
Ability to keep home adequately warm. 
Access to a car/van for personal use. 
Replacing worn-out furniture. 

List of items at individual level: 

1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 
6. 

Having an internet connection. 
Replacing worn-out clothes with new ones. 
Having two pairs of properly fitting shoes (including a pair of all-weather shoes). 
Spending a small amount of money each week on him/herself. 
Having regular leisure activities. 
Getting together with friends/family for a drink/meal at least once a month. 

Europe 2020 Strategy 
This indicator presents the share of the population with an enforced lack of at least four 
out of nine material deprivation items in the ‘Economic strain and durables’ dimension. 

238 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

The nine items considered are: 

1. 

2. 
3. 

4. 

5. 
6. 
7. 
8. 
9. 

Arrears on mortgage or rent payments, utility bills, hire purchase instalments or other 
loan payments. 
Capacity to afford paying for a one-week annual holiday away from home.  
Capacity to afford a meal with meat, chicken, fish (or vegetarian equivalent) every 
second day. 
Capacity  to  face  unexpected  financial  expenses  [set  amount  corresponding  to  the 
monthly national at-risk-of-poverty threshold of the previous year]. 
Household cannot afford a telephone (including mobile phone).  
Household cannot afford a colour TV.  
Household cannot afford a washing machine. 
Household cannot afford a car, and  
Ability of the household to pay for keeping its home adequately warm. 

For  estimates  distinguishing  ‘limited’  and  ‘not  limited’  people  in  Denmark,  Finland,  the 
Netherlands,  Sweden,  and  Slovenia,  the  author  has  used  personal  cross-sectional 
weightings  for  selected  persons  (pb060).  This  holds  true  for  Iceland  and  Norway,  too. 
Otherwise, the author has used personal cross-sectional weightings (pb040). In addition, 
the author has used the age at the end of the income reference period (px020).  

Notes 

It is worth noting that financial poverty depends on national conditions (median national 
income)  while  material  deprivation  is  defined  in  the  same  way  in  all  Member  States.  In 
addition, all items carry the same weighting. 

The survey indicates that the question focuses mainly on affordability of some aspects of 
living standards. However, subjective expectations might skew this measure. 

For more information, see 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/metadata/en/ilc_sieusilc.htm. 

12.  People at risk of poverty or social exclusion (AROPE) 

Methodology 

Europe 2030 
‘People at risk of poverty or social exclusion’ includes the indicator on risk of poverty or 
social inclusion AROPE, which is the main indicator for monitoring the EU 2030 target on 
poverty and social exclusion.  

The collection also includes the three components of AROPE, namely the at-risk-of-poverty 
(AROP) indicator, persons living in households with very low work intensity (LWI) indicator, 
and the severe material and social deprivation rate (SMSD). 

Europe 2020 
This EU 2020 indicator corresponds to the sum of persons who are either: 

- 
- 
- 

at risk of financial poverty; or 
severely materially deprived; or 
living in households with very low work intensity. 

However,  the  total  population  is  not  a  simple  arithmetic  sum  of  its  three  components 
because of overlaps between the populations covered by the three sub-indicators. Persons 
present in several sub-indicators are counted only once. 

Information concerning disability is provided for persons aged 16 or over.  

239 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

For  estimations distinguishing  ‘limited’ and ‘not limited’ people in Denmark, Finland, the 
Netherlands,  Sweden  and  Slovenia,  the  author  has  used  personal  cross-sectional 
weightings for selected persons (pb060). This holds true for Iceland and Norway, too. 

Notes 

The EU-SILC survey provides information on  disability for persons aged 16 or  over. The 
data include only persons living in private households.  

The  poverty  or  social  exclusion  indicator  is  computed  at  the  household  level.  The  same 
value is attributed to all members of the household.  

For more information, see 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/metadata/en/ilc_sieusilc.htm. 

13.  Methodological note on EU-SILC 

The European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) survey is the EU 
reference source for comparative statistics on income distribution and social exclusion at 
European level. 

The  EU-SILC  survey  contains  a  small  module  on  health,  including  three  questions  on 
general health status. 

Regulation (EU) 2019/2242 of 16 December 2019 on the organisation of a sample survey 
on income and living conditions provides the technical details of the survey. 

Definition of ‘disability’ 

The EU-SILC term (‘activity limitation’) does not expressly consider any ‘interactions with 
barriers’,  which  is  typical  of  the  social  model  approach  and  the  UN CRPD  terminology. 
However,  it  cannot  be  compared  to  medical  approaches  as  it  does  not  focus  on 
impairments, functional limitations, or the consequences of diseases.  

In  a  simplified  and  linear  relationship  between  impairment,  disability  and  ‘handicap’ 
(disadvantage), the EU-SILC stands in the middle. It is close to the concept of disabilities. 

Characteristics of the sample 

The survey covers all individuals aged 16 and over living in private households. Persons 
living  in  collective  households  and  in  institutions  are  generally  excluded  from  the  target 
population. 

Age 

The microdata  presents two measures for the  age of the  respondent.  The first  concerns 
age at the date of the interview and the second age at the end of the income reference 
period. 

The  author  has  used  ‘age  at  the  date  of  interview’  for  indicators  concerning  disability 
prevalence, labour market and education issues. The author has used ‘age at the end of 
the income reference’ period for income-related indicators as well as for labour intensity. 

Seasonality 

Employment,  unemployment  and  activity  rates  refer  to  the  situation  at  the  date  of 
interview.  For  this  reason,  the  data  are  not  seasonally  adjusted.  On  the  contrary,  the 
Labour  Force  Survey  (LFS)  provides  an  indicator  that  is  based  on  annual  averages  of 

240 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

comparable  quarterly  data.  The  income  data  presented  here  are  annual,  covering  a  12-
month period preceding the survey period. 

Interviews 

Four types of data are present in EU-SILC: 

i. 
ii. 

iii. 

iv. 

variables measured at household level; 
information  on  household  composition  and  basic  characteristics  of  household 
members; 
income  and  ‘basic  variables’  (education,  basic  labour  information)  measured  at 
personal level, but normally aggregated to construct household-level variables; and 
variables collected and analysed at the person level; ‘the detailed variables’ (health, 
access  to  healthcare,  detailed  labour  information,  activity  history  and  calendar  of 
activities’). 

For the sets of variables i. and ii., a sample of households including all household members 
is required. 

Set iii. is collected directly at individual person level, covering all persons in each sample 
household.  

In  most  countries,  i.e.  in  the  so-called  ‘survey  countries’,  these  income  variables  are 
collected through personal interviews with all adults aged 16+ in each sample household. 
By contrast, in ‘register countries’, set iii. variables are compiled from registers and other 
administrative sources, thus avoiding the need to interview all members (adults aged 16+) 
in each sample household. 

Set iv. variables will normally be collected through direct personal interview in all countries. 

For  disability,  ‘the  register  countries’  select  only  a  representative  person  per  sample 
household, since for these countries interviewing all household members for set iii. is not 
involved. 

Register countries include Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden and Slovenia. The 
non-EU countries include Iceland and Norway. 

The information included in the EU-SILC project can either be extracted from registers or 
be collected from interviews. In the case of interviews, five modes of data collection are 
possible:  1.  Face-to-face  personal  interview  (PAPI);  2.  Face-to-face  personal  interview 
(CAPI); 3. Telephone interview (CATI); 4. Self-administered by respondent; and 5. Proxy 
interview. In the EU-SILC legal basis, priority is given to face-to-face personal interviews 
(PAPI or CAPI) over the other modes of data collection. 

Periodicity 

The cross-sectional and the longitudinal data are produced annually. 

Accessibility of microdata 

In March 2025, the latest available version of microdata, accessible to researchers, were 
those from 2024 (autumn release) covering 2023. 

References concerning the methodology of EU-SILC 

- 

European Commission – Eurostat (2016), Methodological Guidelines and description 
of  EU-SILC  Target  Variables  –  2015  operation  (Version  June  2016)’,  DocSILC065 
(2015 operation), Directorate F: Social Statistics, Unit F-4: Quality of life. 

241 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

European Commission – Eurostat (2018), Methodological Guidelines and description 
of EU-SILC Target Variables – 2018 operation (Version July 2019), DocSILC065 (2018 
operation). 

European Commission – Eurostat (2020), Methodological guidelines. and description 
of EU-SILC target variables – 2020 operation (Version April 2020), DocSILC065 (2020 
operation). 

European Commission – Eurostat (2021), Methodological Guidelines and description 
of EU-SILC Target Variables – 2021 operation 2021 (Version 7), DocSILC065 (2021 
operation), Directorate F: Social Statistics, Unit F-4: Quality of life. 

European Commission – Eurostat (2023), Methodological Guidelines and description 
of  EU-SILC  Target  Variables  –  2023  operation  (Version  6),  DocSILC065  (2023 
operation), Directorate F: Social Statistics, Unit F-4: Quality of life. 

European Commission – Eurostat, Directorate F: Social Statistics, Unit F-4: Quality 
of life. 

The EU-SILC sample 

Table 118: EU-SILC UDB 2023 – Sample characteristics* 

Question PH030_F 

Limitations (Question: PH030) 

Country  Not selected  Missing 

Filled 

Sample 

No 

Moderate  Severe 

Total 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 
EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

4 129 
- 

- 

- 

8 276 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

10 402 

- 

- 

- 

3 

74 

- 

- 

- 

- 

14 
916 

- 

447 

106 

381 

161 

- 

21 

Not weighted 

10 490 

10 493 

7 266 

11 615 

11 689 

8 527 

16 029 

16 029 

13 409 

8 984 

8 984 

6 654 

15 180 

15 180 

10 224 

2 296 

2 073 

2 119 

1 408 

3 582 

928 

10 490 

1 015 

11 615 

501 

922 

16 029 

8 984 

1 374 

15 180 

62 620 

62 620 

44 269 

12 733 

5 618 

62 620 

6 199 
9 451 

10 342 
10 367 

3 572 
6 213 

20 177 

20 177 

14 445 

2 166 
2 102 

3 434 

461 
1 136 

6 199 
9 451 

2 298 

20 177 

56 085 

56 532 

39 304 

13 796 

2 985 

56 085 

8 751 

17 133 

5 847 

30 507 

30 888 

22 424 

17 915 

18 076 

11 479 

15 682 

15 682 

11 244 

8 157 

8 178 

6 379 

2 439 

49 799 

52 238 

38 522 

812 

389 

760 

17 

292 

10 029 

10 841 

6 639 

7 921 

8 310 

6 857 

9 487 

10 247 

5 363 

9 548 

9 565 

7 818 

12 377 

23 071 

7 502 

6 368 

30 441 

36 809 

22 070 

321 

29 642 

29 963 

18 677 

- 

15 585 

15 585 

10 002 

2 390 

5 079 

4 611 

3 212 

1 352 

8 663 

2 586 

782 

3 070 

1 293 

4 117 

5 958 

8 521 

4 774 

1 509 

514 

8 751 

3 004 

30 507 

1 825 

17 915 

1 226 

15 682 

426 

8 157 

2 614 

49 799 

804 

282 

10 029 

7 921 

1 054 

9 487 

437 

758 

9 548 

12 377 

2 413 

30 441 

2 444 

29 642 

809 

349 

15 585 

8 991 

8 567 

203 

8 991 

17 761 

7 133 

242 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Country  Not selected  Missing 

Filled 

Sample 

No 

Moderate  Severe 

Total 

Question PH030_F 

Limitations (Question: PH030) 

SI 

SK 

EU 

11 316 

- 

- 

39 

8 432 

19 748 

6 291 

11 809 

11 848 

7 183 

1 427 

3 241 

714 

8 432 

1 385 

11 809 

Not weighted 

42 690 

13 763  501 903  8 356  355 313  108 294  38 296  501 903 

*‘Register countries’ select a person per household for certain questions. ‘Survey countries’ interview 
all members of the household aged 16 and over. Estimates are corrected for those not selected (see 
methodology). 
Source: 10. EU-SILC UDB 2023 –Autumn 2024 release. 

14.  Methodological note on LFS 

The EU-LFS is a large household sample survey providing quarterly results on the labour 
participation  of  people  aged  15  and  over  and  on  people  outside  the  labour  force.  Those 
living in institutional or collective households are not covered. 

Definition of ‘disability’ 

GALI was introduced in the 2022 and 2024 round. 

Age 

The survey covers persons aged 15 and over. 

Seasonality 

The EU-LFS survey provides quarterly and annual results. 

Data sources 

Eurostat: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/microdata/european-union-labour-force-
survey. 

Data sources 

Eurostat: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/microdata/adult-education-survey. 

15.  Sources of data 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

European  Commission:  Commission  implementing  Regulation  (EU)  2019/2242  of 
16 December  2019  specifying  the  technical  items  of  data  sets,  establishing  the 
technical  formats  and  specifying  the  detailed  arrangements  and  content  of  the 
quality  reports  on  the  organisation  of  a  sample  survey  in  the  income  and  living 
conditions  domain  pursuant  to  Regulation  (EU)  2019/1700  of  the  European 
Parliament and of the Council. 

European Commission – Eurostat: http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/data/database. 

European Commission – Eurostat (2019), Methodological Guidelines and description 
of  EU-SILC  Target  Variables  –  2018  operation  (Version  July  2019),  DocSILC065 
(2018 operation), Directorate F: Social Statistics, Unit F-4: Quality of life. 

European Commission – Eurostat (2020), Methodological Guidelines and description 
of  EU-SILC  Target  Variables  –  2020  operation  (Version  April  2020),  DocSILC065 
(2020 operation), Directorate F: Social Statistics, Unit F-4: Quality of life. 

243 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

European Commission – Eurostat (2021). Methodological Guidelines and description 
of EU-SILC Target Variables – 2021 operation 2021 (Version 7), DocSILC065 (2021 
operation), Directorate F: Social Statistics, Unit F-4: Quality of life. 

Eurostat, ESSPROS, see:  
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/spr_exp_sum/default/table?lang
=en&category=spr.spr_expend. 

European Health Interview Survey 3 (EHIS), 2018. 

EU Labour Force Survey 2022. 

EU-SILC UDB 2018 – Release 1 2020. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

EU-SILC UDB 2019 – Release 1 2021. 

11. 

EU-SILC UDB 2020 – Release 1 2022. 

12. 

EU-SILC UDB 2020 – Release 1 2022. rev.1. 

13. 

EU-SILC UDB 2021 – Release 1 2023 (spring release). 

14. 

EU-SILC UDB 2022 – Release 2 2023 (autumn release). 

15. 

EU-SILC UDB 2023 – Autumn 2024 release. 

244 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

List of tables 

Table 1: Synopsis of main statistical indicators for the EU (2021 onwards) ................... 9 
Table 2: Synopsis of main statistical indicators for the EU (2021 and before)1 ..............11 
Table 3: Persons with disabilities living in private households in the EU 27, aged 16+, 2023
 ...................................................................................................................18 
Table 4: Persons with disabilities by degree of disability and age group in the EU, 2023 23 
Table 5: Persons with difficulties in functional activities by degree and type in the EU, age: 
16+, 2022 ....................................................................................................29 
Table 6: Percentage of people with severe difficulties in basic functional activities by type 
and age group, EU, 2022 ................................................................................29 
Table 7: Percentage of people with disabilities by Member State, 2023 .......................30 
Table 8: Percentage of people with disabilities by Member State, 2022 .......................31 
Table 9: Percentage of people with disabilities by Member State, 2021 .......................32 
Table 10: Percentage of children with disabilities by age group, EU 2021 .....................33 
Table 11: Percentage of persons who receive a disability benefit, aged 16-64 ..............33 
Table 12: Population of people with disabilities by Member State, aged 16+, 2023 .......34 
Table 13: Population of people with disabilities by Member State, aged 16+, 2022 .......35 
Table 14: Population of persons with disabilities by degree and Member State, aged 16+
 ...................................................................................................................36 
Table 15: Population of people with disabilities by Member State, 2021 .......................37 
Table 16: Adult participation in learning (last 4 weeks) by disability status and gender, age 
25-64, 2024 ..................................................................................................43 
Table 17: Adult participation in learning (last 4 weeks) by disability status and gender, age 
25-64, 2022 ..................................................................................................44 
Table 18: Adult participation in learning (last 12 months) by disability status and gender, 
age 25-64, 2022 ............................................................................................45 
Table 19: Early school leavers aged 18-24, EU, 2023 ................................................47 
Table 20: Share of early school leavers by disability status and gender, aged 18-24, EU, 
2023 ............................................................................................................50 
Table 21: Share of early school leavers by disability status and Member State, aged 18-24
 ...................................................................................................................53 
Table 22: Share of early school leavers by disability status and Member State, aged 18-24
 ...................................................................................................................54 
Table 23: Share of early school leavers by disability status and Member State, aged 18-24
 ...................................................................................................................55 
Table 24: Evolution of the shares of early school leavers, EU, aged 18-24 ...................56 
Table 25: Percentage of young people neither in employment nor in education and training 
(NEET) by disability status and gender, aged 16-29, EU, 2023 ............................59 
Table 26: Percentage of young people neither in employment nor in education and training 
(NEET) by disability status and Member State, aged 16-29, EU, 2023 ..................61 
Table 27: Percentage of young people neither in employment nor in education and training 
(NEET) by disability status and Member State, aged 16-29, EU, 2022 ..................61 
Table 28: Percentage of young people neither in employment nor in education and training 
(NEET) by disability status and Member State, aged 16-29, EU, 2021 ..................62 
Table 29: Percentage of young people neither in employment nor in education and training 
(NEET) by disability status and Member State, aged 16-29, EU, 2020 ..................63 
Table 30: Percentage of persons who have completed tertiary or equivalent education by 
disability status, aged 30-34, EU, 2023 ............................................................66 
Table 31: Percentage of persons who have completed tertiary or equivalent education by 
Member State and disability status, aged 30-34 ................................................71 
Table 32: Percentage of persons who have completed tertiary or equivalent education by 
Member State and disability status, aged 30-34 ................................................72 
Table 33: Percentage of persons who have completed tertiary or equivalent education by 
Member State and disability status, aged 30-34 ................................................73 
Table 34: Percentage of persons who have completed tertiary or equivalent education by 
Member State and disability status, aged 30-34 ................................................74 
Table 35: Percentage of persons who have completed tertiary or equivalent education by 
Member State and disability status, aged 25-34 ................................................75 

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Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 36: Percentage of persons who have completed tertiary or equivalent education by 
Member State and disability status, aged 25-34 ................................................76 
Table 37: Percentage of persons who have completed tertiary or equivalent education by 
Member State and disability status, aged 25-34 ................................................77 
Table  38:  Evolution  of  the  share  of  persons  who  have  completed  tertiary  or  equivalent 
education by disability status, aged 30-34 ........................................................78 
Table  39:  Evolution  of  the  share  of  persons  who  have  completed  tertiary  or  equivalent 
education by disability status, aged 25-34 ........................................................78 
Table 40: Hourly gross employee income, in EUR, 2023 ............................................86 
Table 41: Hourly gross employee income, in EUR, 2019 ............................................87 
Table 42: Hourly gross employee income, in EUR, 2023 ............................................87 
Table 43: Hourly gross employee income, in EUR, 2019 ............................................88 
Table 44: Ratio of hourly gross employee income to national average, 2023 ................89 
Table 45: Regressions with pooled data ...................................................................90 
Table 46: Returns by disability group ......................................................................91 
Table 47: Employment by disability status, aged 20-64, EU, 2023 ..............................94 
Table 48: Main reason for working less than 30 hours, workers aged 20-64, EU 2023 . 100 
Table 49: Employment rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-64, 2023 102 
Table 50: Employment rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-64, 2022 103 
Table 51: Employment rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-64, 2021 104 
Table 52: Employment rate by disability status and Member State, age 20-64, 2020 .. 105 
Table 53: Employment rate by disability status and Member State, age 20-64, 2019 .. 106 
Table  54:  Evolution  of  the  employment  rate  of  people  with  and  without  disabilities,  EU, 
aged 20-64 ................................................................................................. 106 
Table 55: Unemployment rate by disability status, aged 20-64, EU 27, 2023 ............. 109 
Table 56: Unemployment rate by age group, EU 27 ................................................ 111 
Table  57:  Unemployment  rate  by  duration,  gender  and  disability  status,  aged  20-64, 
EU 26, 2022 ................................................................................................ 117 
Table 58: Unemployment rate by duration and degree of disability, aged 20-64, EU, 2023
 ................................................................................................................. 118 
Table 59: Unemployment rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-64, 2023
 ................................................................................................................. 119 
Table 60: Unemployment rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-64, 2022
 ................................................................................................................. 120 
Table 61: Unemployment rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-64, 2021
 ................................................................................................................. 121 
Table 62: Unemployment rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-64, 2020
 ................................................................................................................. 122 
Table 63: Unemployment rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-64, 2019
 ................................................................................................................. 123 
Table 64: Evolution of unemployment rate by disability status, aged 20-64, EU.......... 124 
Table 65: Evolution of youth unemployment rate by disability status, aged 16-24, EU . 124 
Table 66: Structure of the unemployment rate by Member State, aged 20-64, 2023 ... 125 
Table 67: Structure of the unemployment rate by disability and Member State, aged 20-
64, 2023 ..................................................................................................... 126 
Table 68: Structure of the unemployment rate by Member State, aged 20-64, 2022 ... 127 
Table 69: Structure of the unemployment rate by disability and Member State, aged 20-
64, 2022 ..................................................................................................... 128 
Table 70: Structure of the unemployment rate by Member State, aged 20-64, 2021 ... 129 
Table 71: Structure of the unemployment rate by disability and Member State, aged 20-
64, 2021 ..................................................................................................... 130 
Table 72: Structure of the unemployment rate by Member State, aged 20-64, 2020 ... 131 
Table 73: Structure of the unemployment rate by disability status and Member State, aged 
20-64, 2020 ................................................................................................ 132 
Table 74: Activity rate by disability status, aged 20-64, 2023 .................................. 133 
Table 75: Activity rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-64, 2023........ 138 
Table 76: Activity rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-64, 2022........ 139 
Table 77: Activity rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-64, 2021........ 140 
Table 78: Activity rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-64, 2020........ 141 

246 

 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table 79: Activity rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-64, 2019........ 142 
Table 80: Evolution of the activity rate, EU, aged 20-64 .......................................... 143 
Table 81: Disability employment gap by year and gender. Total, aged 20-64 ............. 148 
Table 82: Disability employment gap by year and gender. Total, aged 20-64 ............. 149 
Table 83: Disability employment gap by year and gender. Total, aged 20-64 ............. 150 
Table 84: Disability employment gap by year and gender. Moderate, aged 20-64 ....... 151 
Table 85: Disability employment gap by year and gender. Severe, aged 20-64 .......... 152 
Table 86: Percentage of persons living in households with very low work intensity, aged 
16-64, Europe 2030 Strategy ........................................................................ 156 
Table 87: Percentage of persons living in households with very low work intensity, aged 
16-64, Europe 2030 Strategy ........................................................................ 157 
Table 88: Percentage of persons at risk of poverty after social transfers, aged 16+ .... 161 
Table 89: Percentage of persons at risk of poverty after social transfers, aged 16+ .... 162 
Table  90:  Percentage  of  persons  at  risk  of  poverty  after  social  transfers,  by  age  group, 
2023 .......................................................................................................... 163 
Table  91:  Percentage  of  persons  at  risk  of  poverty  after  social  transfers,  by  age  group, 
2022 .......................................................................................................... 164 
Table 92: Percentage of persons living in households at risk of severe material and social 
deprivation by disability status and Member State, 2023, aged 16+ ................... 170 
Table 93: Percentage of persons living in households at risk of severe material and social 
deprivation by disability status and Member State, 2022, aged 16+ ................... 171 
Table  94:  Percentage  of  persons  declaring  inability  to  keep  home  adequately  warm  by 
disability status and Member State, 2023, aged 16+ ........................................ 172 
Table 95: Evolution of inability to keep home adequately warm, energy price and income.
 ................................................................................................................. 173 
Table 96: Number of persons at risk of poverty or social exclusion by disability status, age 
16+, 2023 .................................................................................................. 183 
Table 97: Percentage of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion by disability status, 
gender and Member State, aged 16+ ............................................................. 192 
Table 98: Percentage of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion by disability status, 
gender and Member State, aged 16+ ............................................................. 193 
Table 99: Percentage of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion by disability status, 
age group, and Member State ....................................................................... 194 
Table 100: Percentage of persons at risk of poverty or social exclusion by disability status, 
gender and Member State, aged 16+ ............................................................. 195 
Table 101: Percentage of persons living in households at risk of poverty or social exclusion, 
aged 16+, EU .............................................................................................. 196 
Table 102: Percentage of persons living in households at risk of poverty or social exclusion 
by age group, EU ......................................................................................... 196 
Table 103: Percentage of persons with disabilities living in households at risk of poverty or 
social exclusion by component, aged 16+, EU ................................................. 197 
Table 104: Percentage of persons living in households at risk of poverty or social exclusion 
by degree and component, aged 16+, EU ....................................................... 198 
Table 105: Persons at risk of poverty (AROP) before and after social transfers by gender, 
and disability status, aged: 16-64, EU, 2023 ................................................... 204 
Table 106: Persons at risk of poverty (AROP) before and after social transfers by disability 
status and Member State, aged 16-64, EU, 2023 ............................................. 210 
Table 107: Persons at risk of poverty (AROP) before and after social transfers by disability 
status and Member State, aged 16-64, EU, 2022 ............................................. 211 
Table 108: Persons at risk of poverty (AROP) before and after social transfers by disability 
status (severe/ no disabilities) and Member State, aged 16-64, EU, 2023 ........... 212 
Table 109: Persons at risk of poverty (AROP) before and after social transfers by disability 
status (severe/ no disabilities) and Member State, aged 16-64, EU, 2022 ........... 213 
Table 110: Persons at risk of poverty (AROP) before and after social transfers by disability 
status, aged 16-64, EU, 2010-2023 ............................................................... 214 
Table 111: Percentage of persons with difficulties in self-care activities by age group, EU, 
2022 .......................................................................................................... 216 
Table 112: Percentage of persons with difficulties in self-care by degree and Member State, 
aged 16+ .................................................................................................... 218 

247 

 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Table  113:  Percentage  of  persons  with  difficulties  in  personal  care  and/or  household 
activities declaring a lack of / enough assistance with these activities ................. 219 
Table 114: Long-term care expenditure and income, EU, 2021 ................................. 220 
Table  115:  Overall  life  satisfaction  by  disability  status  and  Member  State,  persons  aged 
16+, EU, 2023............................................................................................. 224 
Table 116: Percentage of persons with disabilities by Member State, age: 15+, 2022 (LFS)
 ................................................................................................................. 229 
Table 117: Percentage of persons with disabilities by age group, EU, 2022 ................ 229 
Table 118: EU-SILC UDB 2023 – Sample characteristics* ........................................ 242 

List of figures 

Figure 1: Percentage of persons with disabilities by Member State, 2022 and 2023 ......19 
Figure 2: Percentage of persons with disabilities by degree and age group, EU 2021 .....20 
Figure 3: Percentage of people with disabilities by Member State and gender, 2023 .....21 
Figure 4: Percentage of people with disabilities by Member State and degree of disability, 
2023 ............................................................................................................21 
Figure 5: Percentage of people with disabilities by Member State and age group, 2023 .22 
Figure 6: Number of persons with severe disabilities by Member State, age 16+, 2023 .23 
Figure 7: Population of persons with disabilities by degree of disability and age group, EU, 
2023 ............................................................................................................24 
Figure 8: Disability prevalence by degree of disability and age group, EU, 2023 ...........25 
Figure  9:  Evolution  of  disability  prevalence,  percentage  of  people  with  disabilities  by 
degree, EU 27 ...............................................................................................26 
Figure 10: Percentage of persons who receive a disability benefit, aged 16-64 .............27 
Figure  11:  Percentage  of  people  with  difficulties  in  basic  functional  activities  by  degree, 
age: 16+, EU, 2022 .......................................................................................28 
Figure 12: Adult participation in learning (last 4 weeks) by disability status and Member 
State, aged 25-64, 2024 .................................................................................40 
Figure 13: Disability gap in adult participation in learning (last 4 weeks) by Member State, 
age 25-64, 2024 ............................................................................................41 
Figure 14: Adult participation in learning (last 12 months) of persons with disabilities by 
gender and Member State, age 25-64, 2024 .....................................................41 
Figure  15:  Evolution  of  adult  participation  in  learning  (last  4  weeks)  of  persons  with 
disabilities by Member State, aged 25-64 .........................................................42 
Figure 16: Share of early school leavers by disability status, aged 18-24 .....................48 
Figure 17: Disadvantage (in early school leaving) of young persons with disabilities, aged 
18-24, average 2022-2023 .............................................................................49 
Figure 18: Evolution of the share of early school leavers among persons with disabilities, 
aged 18-24, EU .............................................................................................51 
Figure 19: Evolution of the shares of early school leavers, EU, aged 18-24 ..................52 
Figure 20: Employment rate by disability status and whether they are early school leavers 
(SL) or not, persons aged 20-64, EU ................................................................53 
Figure 21: Percentage of young people neither in employment nor in education and training 
(NEET) by disability status and Member State, aged 16-29, 2023 ........................58 
Figure 22: Disability gap among young people neither in employment nor in education and 
training (NEET) by Member State, aged 16-29, 2023..........................................58 
Figure 23: Evolution of the rate of persons with disabilities neither in employment nor in 
education and training (NEET), aged 16-29 .......................................................60 
Figure 24: Evolution of the rate of persons with disabilities neither in employment nor in 
education and training (NEET), aged 16-29 .......................................................60 
Figure 25: Percentage of persons who have completed a tertiary or equivalent education 
by Member State and disability status, aged 30-34 ............................................65 
Figure 26: Disability gap in tertiary education or equivalent by Member State, age 30-34, 
average 2022-2023 ........................................................................................66 
Figure  27:  Evolution  of  the  share  who  have  completed    tertiary  or  equivalent  education 
among persons with disabilities, aged 30-34, EU ...............................................67 
Figure  28:  Evolution  of  the  share  of  persons  who  have  completed  tertiary  or  equivalent 
education by disability status, EU, aged 30-34 ...................................................68 

248 

 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 29: Share who have completed tertiary or equivalent education among persons with 
disabilities, EU, 2023 ......................................................................................69 
Figure 30: Disability gap in tertiary education or equivalent by Member State, 2023 .....70 
Figure  31:  Evolution  of  the  share  who  have  completed  tertiary  or  equivalent  education 
among persons with disabilities, aged 25-34, EU ...............................................70 
Figure 32: Mean gross hourly employee income, 26 Member States ............................80 
Figure 33: Ratio (x100) of gross hourly employee income to national average by disability 
status and age group, EU 2023 ........................................................................82 
Figure 34: Ratio (x100) of gross hourly employee income to national average by disability 
status and Member State, EU 2023 ..................................................................82 
Figure 35: Disability gap in the ratio of gross hourly employee income to national average 
by economic activity, aged 16-74, EU ...............................................................83 
Figure 36: Employment rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-64, 2023 .95 
Figure 37: Employment rate by disability and gender, aged 20-64, EU, 2023 ...............96 
Figure  38:  Employment  rate  for  persons  with  disabilities  by  gender  and  Member  State, 
aged 20-64, 2023 ..........................................................................................96 
Figure 39: Employment rate by degree of disability and Member State, aged 20-64, 2023
 ...................................................................................................................97 
Figure 40: Employment rate of persons with disabilities, aged 20-64 ..........................97 
Figure 41: Evolution of the employment rate of people with and without disabilities, aged 
20-64 ...........................................................................................................98 
Figure 42: Evolution of the employment rate by degree of disability, age 20-64, EU 27 .99 
Figure 43: Distribution of usual weekly hours, workers aged 20-64, EU 27, 2023 ....... 100 
Figure 44: Distribution of job satisfaction scores, workers aged 20-64, EU 27, 2023 ... 101 
Figure 45: Average national job satisfaction scores by disability status, workers aged 20-
64, EU 27, 2023 .......................................................................................... 102 
Figure 46: Unemployment rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-64, 2023
 ................................................................................................................. 109 
Figure 47: Disadvantage of persons with disabilities concerning unemployment, aged 20-
64, average 2022-2023, expressed in percentage points (pp.) .......................... 110 
Figure 48: Unemployment rate of persons with disabilities by gender,  and Member State, 
aged 20-64, 2023 ........................................................................................ 111 
Figure 49: Unemployment rate by disability status and age group, EU 27, 2023 ......... 111 
Figure 50: Unemployment rate by degree of disability, aged 20-64, 2023 .................. 112 
Figure 51: Persons with disabilities, evolution of the unemployment rate by Member State, 
aged 20-64 ................................................................................................. 113 
Figure 52: Evolution of the unemployment rate for persons by disability status, aged 20-
64, EU ........................................................................................................ 113 
Figure 53: Evolution of the unemployment rate for people with disabilities aged 16-24 115 
Figure 54: Long-term unemployment rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-
64, 2023 ..................................................................................................... 116 
Figure 55: Disability long-term unemployment gap by Member State, aged 20-64, 2023
 ................................................................................................................. 117 
Figure 56: Unemployment rate by duration and degree of disability, aged 20-64, EU .. 118 
Figure 57: Activity rate by disability status and Member State, aged 20-64, 2023 ...... 134 
Figure 58: Activity gap, aged 20-64, 2023 ............................................................. 134 
Figure 59: Persons with disabilities, activity rate by gender and Member State, aged 20-
64, 2023 ..................................................................................................... 135 
Figure 60: Activity rate by age group and disability status, EU 25, 2023 .................... 135 
Figure 61: Activity rate by degree of disability and Member State, aged 20-64, 2023 .. 136 
Figure 62: Evolution of the activity rate of persons with disabilities, by Member State, aged 
20-64 ......................................................................................................... 137 
Figure 63: Relative change in the activity rate between 2022 and 2023 by disability status, 
aged 20-64 ................................................................................................. 137 
Figure 64: Evolution of the activity rate of people with disabilities, EU, aged 20-64 ..... 138 
Figure 65: The employment gap between persons with and without disabilities, aged 20-
64, 2023, expressed in percentage points (pp.) ............................................... 145 
Figure 66: The disability employment gap by gender, expressed in percentage points (pp.), 
persons aged 20-64, 2023 ............................................................................ 145 

249 

 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure 67: The disability employment gap by degree of disability, expressed in percentage 
points (pp.), persons aged 20-64, 2023 .......................................................... 146 
Figure 68: Disability employment gap in 2022 and 2023, expressed in percentage points 
(pp.), persons aged 20-64 ............................................................................ 147 
Figure 69: Evolution of the disability employment gap, persons aged 20-64, EU ......... 147 
Figure 70: Percentage of persons living in households with very low work intensity (Work 
Intensity < 20 %), aged 16-64, 2023 ............................................................. 155 
Figure 71: Disability gap in very low work intensity, aged 16-64, 2023 ..................... 155 
Figure 72: Evolution of the percentage of persons with disabilities living in households with 
very low work intensity (WI < 20 %), aged 16-64 ........................................... 156 
Figure 73: Persons at risk of poverty after social transfers (AROP), aged 16+, 2023 ... 159 
Figure 74: Disability gap in at risk of poverty (AROP), persons aged 16+, 2023 ......... 159 
Figure 75: Disability gap in at risk of poverty, by age group, 2023 ........................... 160 
Figure 76: People with disabilities at risk of poverty after social transfers in 2022 and 2023, 
aged 16+ .................................................................................................... 161 
Figure  77:  Percentage  of  persons  severely  materially  and  socially  deprived  by  disability 
status and Member State, 2023 ..................................................................... 166 
Figure  78:  Disadvantage  of  persons  with  disabilities  in  severe  material  and  social 
deprivation, aged 16+, 2023 ......................................................................... 167 
Figure 79: Percentage of persons with disabilities severely materially and socially deprived 
in 2022 and 2023, aged 16+ ......................................................................... 167 
Figure 80: Percentage of persons unable to keep their home adequately warm by disability 
status and Member State, aged 16+, 2023 ..................................................... 168 
Figure 81: Evolution of inability to keep home adequately warm by persons with disabilities, 
energy price and income ............................................................................... 170 
Figure 82: Percentage of persons living in households at risk of poverty or social exclusion 
(AROPE), aged 16+, 2023 ............................................................................. 174 
Figure  83:  The  poverty  and  social  exclusion  gap  between  persons  with  and  without 
disability, aged 16+, 2023 ............................................................................ 175 
Figure 84: Percentage of persons living in households at risk of poverty or social exclusion 
by gender and disability status, aged 16+, 2023.............................................. 176 
Figure 85: Percentage of persons living in households at risk of poverty or social exclusion, 
aged 16-64, 2023 ........................................................................................ 177 
Figure 86: Percentage of persons living in households at risk of poverty or social exclusion, 
aged 65+, 2023........................................................................................... 177 
Figure  87:  Absolute  gap  in  AROPE  between  persons  with  and  without  disability  by  age 
group and Member State, 2023 ..................................................................... 178 
Figure 88: Relative gap in AROPE between persons with and without disability by age group 
and Member State, 2023 .............................................................................. 179 
Figure 89: Percentage of persons living in households at risk of poverty or social exclusion 
by age group and disability status, EU, 2023 ................................................... 180 
Figure 90: Disability gap in AROPE by age group, EU, 2023 ..................................... 180 
Figure 91: Percentage of persons living in households at risk of poverty or social exclusion 
by degree of disability, aged 16+, 2023 .......................................................... 181 
Figure  92:  Evolution  of  the  share  of  persons  with  disabilities  at  risk  of  poverty  or  social 
exclusion, aged 16+ ..................................................................................... 182 
Figure 93: Persons with disabilities at risk of poverty or social exclusion, aged 16+. EU 27 
2023 .......................................................................................................... 184 
Figure 94: Persons with disabilities at risk of poverty or social exclusion, aged 16 – 64. EU 
27 2023 ...................................................................................................... 185 
Figure 95: Persons with disabilities at risk of poverty or social exclusion, aged 65+. EU 27 
2023 .......................................................................................................... 186 
Figure 96: Evolution of  the percentage  of persons  at  risk  of poverty  or  social  exclusion, 
aged 16+, EU .............................................................................................. 187 
Figure  97:  Evolution  of  the  risk  of  poverty  or  social  exclusion  (and  its  components)  of 
persons with disabilities, aged 16+, EU .......................................................... 188 
Figure 98: Evolution of the percentage of persons living in households at risk of poverty or 
social exclusion by age group, EU .................................................................. 189 

250 

 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Figure  99:  Evolution  of  the  risk  of  poverty  or  social  exclusion  (and  its  components)  of 
persons with severe disabilities, aged 16+, EU ................................................ 190 
Figure  100:  Evolution  of  the  gap  in  poverty  or  social  exclusion  (and  its  components)  of 
persons with severe disabilities relative to persons without disabilities, aged 16+, EU
 ................................................................................................................. 191 
Figure  101:  Evolution  of  the  risk  of  poverty  or  social  exclusion  (and  its  components)  of 
persons with severe disabilities, aged 16-64, EU .............................................. 192 
Figure 102: Poverty alleviation by disability and age group, EU, 2023 ....................... 200 
Figure 103: Absolute poverty alleviation by disability status and Member State, age: 16-
64, EU, 2023 ............................................................................................... 201 
Figure 104: Relative poverty alleviation by disability status and Member State, age: 16-
64, EU, 2023 ............................................................................................... 202 
Figure 105: Ratio  of relative poverty  alleviations by disability status  and Member State, 
age: 16-64, EU, 2023 ................................................................................... 203 
Figure 106: Relative poverty gap before and after social transfers by Member State, age: 
16-64, EU, 2023 .......................................................................................... 203 
Figure 107: Absolute poverty alleviation of social transfers by disability status and Member 
State, age: 16-64, EU, 2023 ......................................................................... 205 
Figure 108: Relative poverty alleviation by disability status (severe and no disabilities) and 
Member State, age: 16-64, EU, 2023 ............................................................. 206 
Figure 109: Ratio  of relative poverty  alleviations by disability status  and Member State, 
age: 16-64, EU, 2023 ................................................................................... 207 
Figure 110: Relative poverty gap before and after social transfers by Member State, age: 
16-64, EU, 2023 .......................................................................................... 207 
Figure  111:  Ratios  of  relative  poverty  alleviations  following  social  transfers  by  Member 
State and year, age: 16-64 ........................................................................... 208 
Figure 112: Relative poverty alleviation by disability status, age: 16-64, EU .............. 209 
Figure  113:  Percentage  of  persons  with  difficulties  in  self-care  by  degree  and  Member 
State, aged 16+ .......................................................................................... 216 
Figure  114:  Long-term  care  expenditure  per  inhabitant  (in  PPS)  and  long-term  care 
expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP), EU, 2021 ............ 217 
Figure 115: Overall life satisfaction by disability status, persons aged 16+, EU, 2023 . 222 
Figure 116: Distribution of overall life satisfaction scores, persons aged 16+, EU 27, 2023
 ................................................................................................................. 223 
Figure 117: Overall life satisfaction by disability status and Member State, persons aged 
16+, EU, 2023............................................................................................. 223 
Figure 118: Distribution of overall life satisfaction scores, persons aged 16+, EU 27, 2023
 ................................................................................................................. 224 

251 

 
 
 
Comparative data on persons with disabilities: Data 2023 

Classification of countries 

Belgique/België 
Bulgaria  
Cyprus 
Czechia 

AT   Österreich 
BE  
BG  
CY  
CZ  
DE   Deutschland 
DK   Denmark 
Estonia 
EE  
Elláda 
EL  
España 
ES  
Suomi 
FI  
France 
FR  
HR   Croatia 
HU   Hungary 
Ireland 
IE  
Italia 
IT  
Lithuania 
LT  
Luxembourg 
LU  
LV  
Latvia 
MT   Malta 
Nederland 
NL  
Poland 
PL  
PT  
Portugal 
RO   Romania 
SE  
SI  
SK  

Sverige 
Slovenia 
Slovak republic 

252 

 
 
 
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