Scotland · January to December 2025
50.9%disabled employment rate
The rate for disabled people aged 16 to 64 in January to December 2025.
Official employment data shows that disabled people remain much less likely to be in work. Evidence cited by the Scottish Government suggests an even lower rate for people with learning disabilities.
The key figures
What the evidence shows.
These figures keep their original geography, period and definition attached. Follow each source to see the full release.
Read the sourceScottish Government
Scotland · calculated from official 2025 rates
32.5percentage-point employment gap
Disabled employment was 50.9%, compared with 83.4% for non-disabled people.
Scotland · evidence cited in 2023
4–8%estimated learning-disability employment rate
A range cited in the Scottish Government's 2023 consultation because sources and definitions vary.
Use with care: The 32.5 percentage-point gap is calculated from the two employment rates published by the Scottish Government. The 4–8% learning-disability estimate comes from different evidence and is not directly comparable.
What this means for Speak To Me
Data shows the barrier. People show us how to change it.
A national percentage cannot tell us what one person wants or needs. Speak directly to disabled people, give them time to answer and include lived experience when decisions are made.
- Speak to the person, not around them.
- Ask what accessible communication looks like for them.
- Build employment pathways with disabled people, not for them.
Official evidence
Sources for Scotland.
Explore the full picture.