Disability: self-assessed health

Please note that data from the Scottish Health Survey 2020 are not directly comparable to earlier data due to Covid-19 restrictions impacting data collection at the time. These data have not been included here. For more information visit Scottish Health Survey 2020.

The section uses data from the Scottish Surveys Core Questions (SSCQ). The SSCQ found that 8% of adults aged 16 years and over rated their health as 'bad' or 'very bad' in 2019. Chart 1 also shows that self-perception of health worsens with age.

Chart 2 shows the proportion of adults in Scotland classifying their health as 'bad' or 'very bad' by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) quintile in 2019. SIMD is the Scottish Government's official measure of area-based multiple deprivation. There is a strong gradient across deprivation quintile, from 4% in SIMD quintile 5 (least deprived) to 15% in SIMD quintile 1 (most deprived).

Chart 3 shows the percentage of individuals in each NHS board area classifying their own health as 'bad' or 'very bad' in 2019. In Scotland overall, 8% of the population fell into this category, with the figures ranging from 2% in Orkney to 11% in Lanarkshire.

The same data (percentage of individuals assessing their health as 'bad' or 'very bad') is displayed in Chart 4, but is broken down by local authority. Figures range from 2% in Orkney Islands to 12% in North Lanarkshire.

Please note that the data presented in charts 2-4 have not been age- or sex-standardised.

Please note: If you require the most up-to-date data available, please check the data sources directly as new data may have been published since these data pages were last updated. Although we endeavour to ensure that the data pages are kept up-to-date, there may be a time lag between new data being published and the relevant ScotPHO web pages being updated.