The European Union will launch its first-ever Anti-Poverty Strategy this year. It aims to ensure 15 million people are lifted from poverty by 2030. However, the European Union risks leaving behind one of its most at-risk groups if it does not place disability at the heart pf the Strategy.
Why? Because poverty levels among persons with disabilities have increased in 13 EU Member States over the past decade.
Around 29% of persons with disabilities in the EU are at risk of poverty and social exclusion, compared to under 18% for those without disabilities. For women with disabilities, the figure climbs even higher to 29.7%. And the trend is worsening.
Low income and in-work poverty
Employment is often seen as the pathway out of poverty, but persons with disabilities face many obstacles. Many are stuck in part-time, low-paid jobs, with women with disabilities over-represented in this group.
A large number are also working in sheltered workshops (segregating employment settings where persons with disabilities) and face exploitative practices – including receiving sub-minimum wages .
Families raising children or caring for an adult with disabilities also face a higher risk of poverty. This is typically due to lost income because of the time they spend providing support to the person with disabilities. When state-funded support services are not available, the issue becomes even worse.
Education and missed opportunities
Education is another critical barrier. In 2024, 24.6% of young persons with disabilities left education and training early compared to just 8% of their peers without disabilities. Those who attain secondary or tertiary degrees have better employment prospects, but too many are denied the opportunity to reach that level.
Loss of disability allowance
Disability allowances across the EU are often inadequate, and many Member States penalise recipients who attempt to work by reducing or removing their disability allowance. This not only discourages employment but also affects family carers, who risk losing their carer’s allowance if they seek paid work.
The hidden costs of disability
Living with a disability also comes with extra costs. Accessible housing, adapted transportation, assistive devices, even energy bills… all adds up and makes living on a small budget impossible. In Ireland, a recent study estimates that the cost of disability is 52-59% of the disposable income of households with members with disabilities.
The rising cost of living has hit persons with disabilities especially hard. Housing costs now consume 30.4% of their disposable income. 12.8% were unable to afford a meal with meat, fish, or a vegetarian equivalent every second day.
These numbers are increasing. Over the years, the burdens put on persons with disabilities and their households are worsening.
What Needs to Change
The EU anti-poverty strategy must include targeted actions to address the unique challenges faced by persons with disabilities. Especially:
- Collecting disaggregated data on poverty and social exclusion by type of disability.
- Research into the additional costs of living in an inadequate society, and the benefits of transitioning from institutions to community-based services.
- Guidance on disability assessment and adequacy of allowances.
- Reforms allowing people to retain disability allowance while earning income or receiving inheritance.
- More EU funding for inclusive education, employment, and personal budget schemes.
- Support for informal carers, especially women, including compensation for lost pension contributions.
We need strong decisive action from the EU. Not only on paper, but also in reality.