How common is learning disability?

There are 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK.

The figures on this page have been calculated using learning disability prevalence rates from Public Health England (2016) and population data from the Office for National Statistics (2020).

How common is learning disability in the UK?

Adults

Approximately 2.16% of adults in the UK are believed to have a learning disability.

Children

Approximately 2.5% of children in the UK are believed to have a learning disability.

Adults of working age with a learning disability (18-64)

There are approximately:

• 870,000 adults of working age with a learning disability in the UK
• 732,000 adults of working age with a learning disability in England
• 40,000 adults of working age with a learning disability in Wales
• 25,000 adults of working age with a learning disability in Northern Ireland.

Children with a learning disability (0-17 years)

There are approximately:

• 353,000 children with a learning disability in the UK.
• 301,000 children with a learning disability in England.
• 16,000 children with a learning disability in Wales.
• 11,000 children with a learning disability in Northern Ireland.

Children with a learning disability (0-7 years)

There are approximately:

• 159,000 children aged 0-7 years old with a learning disability in the UK
• 136,000 children aged 0-7 years old with a learning disability in England
• 7,000 children aged 0-7 years old with a learning disability in Wales
• 5,000 children aged 0-7 years old with a learning disability in Northern Ireland

References

Office for National Statistics (2020). Estimates of the population for the UK, England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Public Health England (2016). People with Learning Disabilities in England 2015.