Disabled people
In Scotland’s Census 2022, 1.3 million people stated they had a long-term health problem or disability that limited their day-to-day activities. This is almost a quarter (24%) of Scotland’s people.
Disability is more common among older people. In 2022-23, the average (median) age of people whose condition reduced their ability to carry out day-to-day tasks a lot was 61. The average for those whose activities were reduced a little was 57. [Table 1, Figure 1]

Almost a third (30%) of disabled people were in work. The percentage in work of those whose disability limited their activities a lot was 18%. 40% of disabled people were retired. [Table 2]