About this research
The figures on this page come from a number of different sources, and each one collects data about people with a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
in a slightly different way. Because of the variation in
employment
Employment means having a job.
rate estimates and the absence of a single nationally
representative
A representative is also called a rep. A representative is someone who speaks up for everyone in their group or team.
figure, the actual prevalence rate is difficult to determine.
The employment rate in the UK is 75% and the employment rate for disabled people is only 53.1%. We believe the employment rate for people with a learning disability is around half of that.
Adults in paid employment, by location
England
- 6% of adults with a learning disability known to their
local authority
A local authority is also called a council. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live like schools, social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
in England are in paid work (Department of Health and
Social Care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it.
, 2025). - The proportion of adults with a learning disability in paid employment varies by region.
- The South East (6.3%) and the East of England (6.0%) have the highest proportion of adults with a learning disability known to their local authority A local authority is another name for your local council. It is a group of people whose job is to look after the area where you live. in paid employment, followed by The South West (5.7%; Department of Health and Social Care, 2025).
Scotland
- The main self-reported impairments with the lowest proportion of disabled people in work are: severe or specific learning difficulties (25% in work; 75% out of work).
Wales
- The Welsh government does not publish data on how many people with a learning disability in Wales are in paid work. However, the Annual Population
Survey
A survey is when someone asks you to answer some questions.
(APS) provides data on the economic activity of people in Wales aged 16 to 64 who have a disability according to the
Equality
Equality is when everyone is treated fairly.
Act 2010 definition of disability. - The APS found that 52% of adults with a disability in Wales were employed in the year ending June 2025, compared to 81% of people who were not disabled (Welsh Government, 2025).
Northern Ireland
- The Northern Ireland government does not publish data on how many people with a learning disability in Northern Ireland are in paid work. However, the LFS provides data on the economic activity of people in Northern Ireland aged 16 to 64 who describe themselves as having a long-term disability (NISRA, 2025).
- The LFS found that 40.6% of people with a disability in Northern Ireland were employed between July to September 2025, compared to 81.5% of people who were not disabled (NISRA, 2025).
- Department of Health & Social Care (2025). Adult social care activity report 2024 to 2025: commentary
- Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (2021). Quarterly Labour Force Survey Tables
- Office for National Statistics (2019). Disability and employment, UK: 2019
- Office for National Statistics (2021). Employment in the UK: January 2021
- SCLD (2019). Learning Disability Statistics Scotland, 2019
- Welsh Government (2025). Labour market statistics (Annual Population Survey): July 2024 to June 2025
- Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (2025). Quarterly Labour Force Survey Tables
Research references
Here you'll find full referencing for the Mencap research Research is a way of finding out information which could come from books, or asking people what they think. and statistics pages.