Europe: Disability and economic competitiveness

"From 2005 to 2030 the number of people aged over 65 will increase by 52.3% (40 million), while the age group of 15 - 64 will decrease by 6.8% (20.8 million). The ratio of dependent young and old people to people of working age will increase from 49% in 2005, to 66% in 2030. To offset the loss of working age people, we will need an employment rate of over 70%."

European Commission Green Paper on Demographic Change, 2005.

• Overall 44.6 million - one in six -persons aged between 16 and 64 report that they have a long-standing health problem or disability. People with disabilities represent at least 16% of the overall EU working age population
• 40% of the 44.6 million disabled Europeans are employed compared to 64.2% of non-disabled persons. 50% of those with disabilities that do not limit daily life are in employment. 20% of people with more severe impairments are in work.
• Only 15.9 % of working disabled persons are provided with some assistance to work. At the same time, 43.7 % of respondents believe they could work if they were given adequate assistance. [iv]
• Disabled people who are in work are also disadvantaged. On average Europeans with disabilities earn 5% - 15% less than their non-disabled counterparts. [v]

Many more older people and disabled people will need to work if Europe is to reach this target of 70%.