2014

Disability in the Arab Region 2014

An overview

This report presents and analyses statistics relating to the demographic characteristics and socio-economic situation of persons with disabilities in the Arab region.

It is divided into two sections. The first part summarizes a selected number of regional trends related to disability, including disability prevalence, institutional and legal frameworks on disability, and access to education and employment. The second part, which represents the core of this report, presents a compilation of statistical data on persons with disabilities and qualitative information on institutional and legal frameworks. 

It is in this context that ESCWA and the League of Arab States conducted this baseline study on disability in the Arab region. The study included two parallel data collection processes, which were conducted between May and September 2013. Firstly, quantitative data on persons with disabilities was collected from national census and household survey data for a range of indicators, including disability prevalence, age distribution, marital status, geographical location, educational attainment and economic activity. For comparative purposes, data was also collected wherever possible on the total population for the same indicators and from the same statistical source. This data was then sent to focal points in national statistical offices for verification. Secondly, designated government focal points worked with the team to collect information on the institutional and legal infrastructures on disability in Arab countries. In total, ESCWA and the League of Arab States received responses from 19 out of 22 Arab countries for the data verification process and from 16 countries for the legal and institutional survey. The results of these two data collection processes are presented in a set of country profiles

The views expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations. Feedback from readers is welcome and suggestions may be sent to sps-escwa@un.org.