Section 14 International Disability Statistics
(2 tables in this section)This section presents international disability statistics. Specifically, these data address international employment rates for people with disabilities and the percentages of total populations receiving disability benefits. Both of the tables in this section face severe limitations. In both of the tables, it is difficult to compare rates across countries because countries often define disabilities differently and have different employment and benefits structures. Additionally, the data may come from different types of sources (for example: from a survey versus from a census) and represent different years. The principal source of this data is a report by the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Table 14.1 - Employment Rates of Working-Age People with Disabilities in Selected OECD Countries
In 2004, the employment rate of individuals of working-age with disabilities in the United States was 39.9 percent. Table 14.1 lists employment rates for people with disabilities in 25 countries for the most recent year collected by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. These data are limited by differences in the sources, the years represented, and the definitions of disability.
Table 14.2 - Disability Benefit Recipients as Percent of the Working-Age Population in Selected OECD Countries
In 2006, 5.9 percent of the United States working-age population received disability benefits. Table 14.2 lists the percentage of populations in 26 countries receiving disability benefits for the most recent year collected by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. These data are limited by differences in the sources, the years represented, and the definitions of disability.
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)—OECD brings together the governments of countries committed to democracy and the market economy from around the world to:
- Support sustainable economic growth
- Boost employment
- Raise living standards
- Maintain financial stability
- Assist other countries’ economic development
- Contribute to growth in world trade
The Organization provides a setting where governments compare policy experiences, seek answers to common problems, identify good practice and coordinate domestic and international policies.