Census 2022 shows a growing population with disabilities

Summary results of Census 2022 published by the CSO on 30 May includes useful data on disability. It shows that:  

• A total of 1,109,557 people (22% of the population) reported experiencing at least one-long lasting condition or difficulty to any extent
• Of these, 407,342 (8% of the population) reported experiencing at least one long-lasting condition or difficulty to a great extent or a lot.
• A further 702,215 (14% of the population) reported a long-lasting condition or difficulty to some extent or a little.
• There were more females than males in each of these three categories.

Due to substantial changes in the disability question, these results are not directly comparable with previous census data. In Census 2015, 643,131 people, 13.5% of the population were recorded as having a disability. However, it is clear that the population with disabilities is growing and there is a need for state planning to respond to this.

The proportion experiencing disability increased with age, ranging from 4% of people aged 0-4 years to 76% among people aged over 85.

Cork City and Wexford recorded the highest proportion of people with a long-lasting condition/difficulty (24%). Fingal and Monaghan recorded the lowest proportion (19%). It is important that Local Authorities use this Census data to plan local services and supports for those with disabilities.

Due to the change in the disability related question to capture a wider group, the rate of employment increased for disabled people aged 15-64 years and is now 49.3%.  However, it is important to look more closely at this statistic as while 60.3% of persons with a disability ‘to some extent’ are employed, only 27.3% of persons with a disability ‘to a great extent’ are employed. Therefore, there is a need to focus on employment supports for this cohort in particular.

Between 2016 and 2022 there were increases in the number of people providing regular unpaid care and the numbers of hours provided. The number of unpaid carers increased by 53% to over 299,000.  The proportion of unpaid carers increased across almost all age groups. Again, the wording of the question about unpaid care changed compared to 2016. Nonetheless the level of unpaid care highlights the need for a state response, both in terms of increasing state-funded supports so that the state is less reliant on unpaid care and in terms of increasing social protection and other supports for unpaid carers.

The summary results on Health, Disability, Caring and Volunteering can be read here.

A more detailed Census release on disability will be published by the CSO on 28 September.

ENDS