The South West had a disability prevalence of 26% in 2022/23, which is slightly above the UK average of 24%.

Rural areas and smaller towns often have higher proportions of disabled residents due to aging populations. The South West has the highest proportion of people aged 75 and over (11.2%) in England.

10 facts about disability in the UK

1. Prevalence: Around 24% of people in the UK (approximately 16 million people) are disabled, according to the Family Resources Survey.

2. Definition: Under the Equality Act 2010, a person is considered disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

3. Employment: The disability employment gap remains significant, with 53% of disabled people in employment compared to around 82% of non-disabled people.

4. Discrimination: Disabled people are more likely to experience discrimination. Around 1 in 5 disabled adults report facing prejudice or discrimination.

5.  Poverty: Nearly 30% of disabled people live in poverty, compared to 18% of non-disabled people, due to additional costs related to their disability and barriers to employment.

6.  Healthcare Access: Disabled individuals often face challenges accessing healthcare, with reports of delayed treatments, inadequate support, and difficulties finding accessible facilities.

7. Education: Disabled students are less likely to achieve higher educational qualifications. Only around 30% of disabled people aged 16-64 have a degree or equivalent, compared to 40% of non-disabled people.

8. Housing: Approximately 93% of homes in England do not meet basic accessibility standards, limiting housing options for disabled people.

9. Mental Health: People with disabilities are more likely to experience mental health conditions, with rates of depression and anxiety being significantly higher among disabled individuals.

10.Support Services: Many disabled people rely on Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), or other social care services. However, assessments and access to these benefits are frequently criticised for being complex and stressful.