Disability: key points

• Disability is difficult to define and, therefore, the prevalence of disability is difficult to measure; however, it is critical to do both for reasons of policy, service provision and planning.

• It is important to understand the different definitions, and perceptions, of disability. 'Individual' definitions focus on the person and their impairment and functioning, whereas 'social' definitions emphasise the restrictions imposed upon the person by their social and physical environment.

• In November 2016, 8% of adults aged 16-64 years in Scotland were classed as unable to work due to illness/disability and in receipt of Employment and Support Allowance (this amounted to 270,970 people).

• In 2019, it was estimated that 26% of adults (aged 16 years and over) in Scotland had a limiting long-term physical or mental health condition or illness, while 8% of adults self-rated their health as 'bad' or 'very bad'.

• The proportion of adults rating their health as 'bad' or 'very bad', or reporting a limiting long-term health condition or illness, increases as area deprivation increases.