Poverty and social exclusion of disabled people

Surveys show that over 16% of the EU's working age population suffers from long standing health problems or disabilities. There is a strong link between disability and poverty and social exclusion. Disabled people are more likely to live in income poverty. They are also more likely to experience aspects of social exclusion: lower employment rate, higher unemployment, lower education levels, lower wages, discrimination and poor health. Disabled children are among the most vulnerable groups in society.